Tips For a Successful Newborn Session

Where will we shoot?
The session takes place in the client's home, preferably in the master bedroom, nursery and living room.  We can also take some photos outdoors if the weather permits (ideal for spring and summer due dates!).

All you need to do to prepare is open the blinds/curtains to let in as much light as possible. Nothing flatters like natural light, so I prefer to use it whenever possible. For this reason, sessions are normally done mid-morning to late-afternoon when window lighting is at its best. Do not worry about your house being a mess—you just had a baby! I'll quickly push things out of the area I'm shooting in so that your home will appear to be spotless in the photos.  Don't be surprised if I move some furniture around, I'm just working to get the best light in your home. I'll put it all back where it was! :-)

The only thing I will ask you to do is have your bed made with a neutral quilt/comforter on top because Mom and Dad's bed is the best place to create cuddly family photos!

What should we wear?
I recommend keeping it simple and comfortable. Neutral, light (creams, whites, grays or pastel tones) work best as they don't take away from the natural beauty of your baby.   You can add pops of color to your outfit, if you wish, by using jewelry or accessories. Skip the busy patterns for this type of session; you want the viewers eye to be drawn right to the baby. Solid tops (and textures like big knits and lace) work best.  Stay away from prominent logos or writing on clothing.

PROPS!
I have a collection of bowls, baskets, blankets, knit hats and headbands that I’ll be bringing to your session. You are also, of course, welcome to use any of your own props. Look for items with texture and color to help make your images unique.
If you have any family heirlooms, toys, hats, props, etc. that you would like me to use in your session, please gather them before I arrive. We may not get the chance to use ALL of the items, but I will look through them with you to determine what will work best!

How can I make sure my baby is comfortable and cooperative during the shoot?
Newborns are unpredictable and this shoot is all about them.  Please do not worry about your baby crying or needing to eat during the shoot—newborn sessions are purposely longer to allow for plenty of breaks, feedings and even diaper/outfit changes. With that in mind here are a few tips to help the session run smoothly for your little one...

• CRANK THE HEAT
  I recommend that you keep your home a bit warmer than normal during the session.
  Newborns are used to being all bundled up warm + cozy… and then I come in and yank off all their clothes for those adorable naked baby shots. They tend not to like that too much!
  Pushing up the thermostat a couple degrees just before the session is guaranteed to make the session flow more smoothly and help them sleep better.
  I will also bring along a space heater to help keep baby in a steady warmth when it's time for his/her solo portraits.
  Bonus points if you’re willing to make a few back and forth trips to the dryer to keep baby’s blankets warm! They love that!

•  LOOSEN UP
  Please loosen your baby’s diaper and clothing at least 30 minutes before the session. This gives those little imprint marks time to disappear. (Your baby will be naked for a lot of the shots, but posed so that all the “important bits” are not on display.)

• SLEEPY
  Most of the images I’ll be shooting work best if the baby is in a deep sleep. To encourage this, I recommend that you do whatever it takes to make sure baby is nice and exhausted. Keeping your little one awake on top of your own sleep deprivation might feel like torture, but trust me it will be worth it in the end!

•  HUNGRY
  A well fed baby is a happy baby! Please feed and burp baby right before our session to ensure a happy, sleepy (“milk drunk”) baby. I am also more than happy to take as many breaks as needed to help him/her re-fuel. It’s tough work being a model! Same goes for older children (and even mom and dad!) make sure everybody's tummy is full and content... because no one wants to pose for pictures when they're HANGRY!

•  VOLUME CONTROL
  Please do whatever you can to keep the noise level to a minimum during our session. I will be playing some white noise for the baby, but it doesn’t always block out playtime or barking pups. 
  * If you have older children and/or pets... the family portion of the session will take place first , this way the kids can go with mom or dad to another area of the house. Only those being photographed should be present to help maintain a calm environment.

• RELAX
  Moms tend to stress out because this is a new experience…and they aren’t used to the waiting game that is newborn photography.
  They see their baby being fussy or having a difficult time getting settled and panic.
  “This is a disaster! They aren’t going to get ANY good photos!”
  It isn’t, and we will!
  We take the baby’s lead; getting them to sleep before posing takes time and they may need to be fed or cuddled a few times first. In fact, I’d say that a good 50% of your session will involve feeding, diaper changes, and cuddling to get baby comfortable. If that doesn’t work, we’ll take a break or we’ll work with what baby is giving us. Sometimes the best photos happen when baby isn’t doing what we want.
  Just remember: Babies can sense stress and anxiety (especially from their mommy’s!) It’s super important that EVERYONE remain calm and relaxed during this session. Keeping the environment as mellow as possible is pretty much the only way we’re going to get the shots we’re looking for.

• POOP HAPPENS!
  Your baby is going to be in the buff for a good portion of their shoot. Please don’t panic if your baby decides to use my blankets (or myself) as his/her own personal potty.
  This is natural and I expect it! Please don’t feel embarrassed or worry when this happens, because they all do it.
  I wash all of my baby props and blankets between each session with non-scented baby detergent. (This is why I only schedule one newborn session per day!)
  It would definitely be helpful if you had a stack of old towels, extra wipes and blankets available for when things get messy though.
  *If you would like shots in a diaper, it’s a good idea to have a cloth diaper, diaper cover in a solid color, bloomers, or something to put over the diaper. Diapers on their own tend to look a little messy and distracting in photos, but throwing a cover over it cleans things right up.