If there is one thing that I love, it’s photographing newborns. A newborn photography session is challenging, but it’s such a joy to be a part of a baby’s life when they’re so tiny. Many factors come together to help a session run smoothly so below I have made a simple top 10 list of things that parents can do to prepare their infant for their photo session. A session can run from between an hour to two hours with the key ingredient being patience; the ends results are completely worth it! The majority of the pictures will work best if baby is asleep so anything you can do in advance to encourage this is recommended.
1) It is important to contact us soon after you deliver so we can arrange a time for your session. Ideally newborn sessions should take place within 5-10 days after birth and no later than 2 weeks.
2) Loosen the baby’s diaper about 30 minutes before the session to allow time for the diaper’s imprint marks to disappear. Also ensure that the baby is dressed in something easily removable (hello snaps!) and stay away from onesies that don’t like to fit over the baby’s head without a fight.
3) Heat up your house! What seems warm to you and I is very different from what the baby will feel so have the thermostat set between 80-85 degrees, or have a portable heater on hand
4) Collect any items you want used in the session beforehand – heirlooms, toys, blankets, etc. These items further personalize your custom newborn portraits.
5) For pictures taken of your baby in the nursery, be sure all the curtains are open to let in lots of natural light and try and make sure the clutter has found its way to a closet.
6) Make sure the baby has a full belly and a diaper change before I arrive. This will help the baby to fall asleep before I arrive and stay asleep for most of the session.
7) After the baby is full, make sure they are burped well. Gas can take a sleepy, happy baby to an uncomfortable and irritable one in seconds.
8) Make sure the area is quiet. No televisions on, no radio etc. I bring my trusty white noise machine which helps baby to stay asleep. If there are older siblings who will be in photo’s, kindly have them play in another room until it’s their turn to jump in.
9) Unless the baby sleeps very well through the night try not to schedule the shoot in the morning. If you breastfeed and can, have at least one bottle pumped for feeding.
10) Be patient. If the baby becomes fussy or alert, don’t stress out! A baby can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. Every parent starts to fret when their little one starts stirring but it’s simply a matter of patience and reading their needs until they are gently hushed back to sleep.
Newborn Session Tips and Tricks
