Studio Newborn Session Prep Guide

What you need to know before your little babe’s studio photo shoot

Congratulations on the newest addition to your sweet family! These first few days & weeks are just so magical and it is such an honor to capture your little babe during this special time. Here are some tips & tricks I’ve found to be super helpful in preparing for your newborn session so it can be as fun, stress free and enjoyable as possible.

When to Get in Touch to Schedule the Session:

Essentially, as soon as babe is born. Once things settle down, please send me an email or call (or text whatever method you prefer) to let me know your sweet babe is here so we can get a spot reserved for them in the studio!
Sessions take place typically between 4 and 20 days old. The sooner you can let me know baby has arrived, the sooner we can make sure you have some date options to choose from during the 4-20 day age range.
Sessions are on weekday or weekend mornings. Newborns are most sleepy & content earlier in the day. Depending on the day, sessions can start between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Because my weekends fill up with other types of sessions months in advance, newborn sessions are on weekday mornings unless I happen to have a rare Saturday morning opening.
Let me know if there is a certain set up or prop you would love me to use. Feel free to take a look at my website, Facebook or Instagram account & if you see something you want us to try, shoot me an email so I can have it ready.

On the Day of the Session:

Stimulate & keep baby awake for an hour or so before the session. This helps make babe extra sleepy for the session & when baby can get in a deeper sleep, it makes posing & going from one set to another easier. A warm bath is a great way to do this as well as talking & singing to baby.
Feed baby right before the session. A full belly makes for a happy, sleepy baby. Feel free to come a little early to the studio to feed baby right before, especially if you have a longer car ride.
If you are okay with baby using one, bring a pacifier, even if baby doesn’t seem to take to it. Sucking is a soothing mechanism & can really help with settling baby once I have them in place for photos, even if I have to hold the pacifier for a bit to help.
The studio will be warm. Baby’s like being warm and having the heat cranked up around 80º (no matter the time of year), this helps babe stay settled and sleepy. If we’re not sweating, it’s probably not warm enough for baby! You are more than welcome to bring drinks and a change of clothes to change out of if you think you’ll get hot.
I recommend being able to have your older children leave once their photos are finished. I do family & siblings first. Sessions can last anywhere from 1.5-3 hours which can be a long time for siblings to wait, especially when the studio needs to be somewhat quiet. Have Dad drive separate or Grandma meet at the studio to take siblings. If traveling from afar, I do have a local park just around the corner; in walking distance to have the little ones burn some energy and time while you wait!
There is no need to bring anything for baby to wear. I provide all the wraps, headbands, hats, clothes & props. Unless there is something special you want to bring for your newborn’s photos, don’t worry about outfits. If there is something special you want to bring, be sure to let me know so I can work a set around it.
When baby needs a break, we’ll take a break. Don’t stress if baby gets fussy. If baby needs to stop to eat or have their diaper changed, we most definitely will. Most babies need to eat at least once during their session. It’s hard work looking that cute.
Please dress baby in a button/zip up outfit. This will help keep baby asleep and the least amount disturbed as possible in undressing him/her.

What to Wear:

Go simple for family’s wardrobe. When planning your outfits for the family & sibling shots, stick with soft, neutral colors like white or cream as the dominate colors. This keeps the focus on baby and the family connection.
Avoid neon colors. Vibrant, neon colors cast onto skin changing the color and tint of your skin.
For siblings, I recommend a classic, timeless outfit. Steer clear of logos and shirts with writing. Those can be distracting in photos as the eye immediately goes to the words or picture on the shirt instead of the sweet sibling moment.
I am more than happy to help! If you have any questions or want some inspiration for wardrobe or other help, please shoot me an email.
Sit back & enjoy the session. Not to sound super cheesy, but it’s true — this time is so fleeting, take it in! I want you to have fun watching your new little one’s first photo session. It’s going to be fantastic! I can’t wait!

*Please do whatever you can to keep the noise to a minimum during our session. Maintaining a calm environment is also a big key to a successful newborn shoot. I do have a white noise app that I will keep close to baby during the session to help soothe him or her. Babies love strong and rhythmic sound. Amazingly! that’s the sound the heard 24/7 in the uterus!

Safety:

Safety is my utmost number one top priority when handling your baby. All eyes and hands are to be kept around baby during posing. During the session I will be handling and posing baby, but don’t worry I have plenty of experience handling a newborn (don’t know if I mentioned I have two kids of my own!) I will hold and care for him or her as if they were my own, I promise!

last thoughts:

Chances are you’ll be here close to 3 hours so I highly recommend eating a good hearty breakfast before you arrive. I know this can be a very exciting and stressful time for you, especially when adding sleep deprivation in the mix! As much as my goal is for baby to be comfortable, I also want you to be comfortable and at ease! Having me photograph this precious moments for you, means a lot to me so anything I can do to make it a smooth journey for you, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

Again thank you for giving me the opportunity to capture these unforgettable memories for you to treasure for a lifetime and more! ♥