Studio newborn session prep guide

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Congratulations on the news addition to your sweet family! These first few days and weeks. are just so magical! It is such an honor to capture your little babe during this special time. Here are some tips and 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!

 

Prepping Baby

• Stimulate and keep baby awake for an hour or so before the session. This helps make babe extra sleepy for the session and when baby can get in a deeper sleep, it makes posing and going from one set to another easier.

• Please fully feed your baby right before leaving for the studio! If not, feel free to come a little early to the studio and feed baby right before, especially if you have a longer car ride.

• Try to avoid putting on any diaper ointment on baby’s skin. If you are using it regularly, please be sure to clean any off prior to to your session.

• The morning of your session, dress baby in loose outfit that zips down or snaps up the front. Try to avoid any tight socks and diapers.

• Even if your baby doesn’t typically use a pacifier, I ask that your bring one as they serve as a wonderful distraction for the abby during the session. They are incredibly helpful in keeping your little one happy when being moved around and posed. Please bring a SOFT pacifier, such as a Soothie brand (these are the ones without the attached animals). Pacifiers with a hard outer shell leave marks on the baby’s face. Unless you strictly don’t want to used.

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During The Session

• If sibling are going to be apart of the session I ask that they show up at the beginning of the shoot. I shoot family and siblings first and then I’ll ask them to step out of the room to avoid any distractions. Sessions typically last anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours which can be a long time for siblings to wait. Toddlers especially have a difficult time sitting quietly through a newborn session. Parents find the experience much less stressful when one parent or friend/grandparent cares for the older child/children for most of the session and brings them to the studio for the portion only. If you need to bring your older child for the duration of the session, please plan to bring things to keep them entertained with snacks, quiet toys, books, etc!

• I have a additional sitting area outside the studio where they can camp up during the session if needed! Take this time for yourself and just rest on the couch!

• The studio is typically 85-90 degrees. Babies like being warm and having the heat cranked up. It helps babe stay settled and sleepy. Your are more then welcome to bring drinks and a change of clothes to change out of if you think you’ll get hot.

• There is no need to bring anything for the baby to wear. I provide all the wraps, headbands, hats, clothes and props. If there is something special you want to bring for your newborn’s photos be sure to let me know so I van work a set around it.

• I do my best to keep the environment of newborn sessions very calm and peaceful. The more relaxed everyone in the room is the more relaxed baby will be. For me this means pulling out my baby sound machine and whispering skills. For parents this means relaxing and letting the photography magic being!

• When baby needs a break we will take a break. Don’t stress if baby gets fussy. If baby needs to stop to eat or have their diaper changes, we most definitely will. Most babies need to eat at least once during their session. It’s hard work looking cute!

• You are allowed to take behind the scene shots (which I love). I just ask that you are not over my shoulder potentially in my way and distracting me from my work.

• Expect my patience and attention to detail and rule the session. I spend the majority of the session. I spend the majority of a session perfecting poses, backdrops, fingers, etc. I strongly believe these little things are what makes the difference between a snapshot and a work of art, featuring your baby! So thats what we’ll do!

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What To Wear— Mom & Dad

• We want all of the focus of the image to be on the connection you share with your baby, rather than the clothing. Therefore, we suggest a simple black, white or grey tank top for mom and a matching plain tee for dad with jeans. Mom/dad and baby shots are close up so most of what you wear will not be shown. Tans and neutrals are great options. For mom’s, I have tons of dresses to choose from if you don’t feel like purchasing anything.

• Mom’s, keep make-up looking as natural as possible. Avoid using too much hairspray; soft hair photographs best with newborns. Be sure to take nail polish off, or paint your nails with a very neutral color. Avoid long earrings or necklaces. We want all the focus to be on you and your baby!

• Dad’s if your wearing a new tee shirt or button up be sure to iron our the sleeves in advance. Other then that just relax. It will be over before you know it!

• Bring a change of clothes. You may be holding a cake baby and the room will be really hot!

  

What To Wear—Siblings

• A simple white or grey tee or tank with jeans and bare feet. Please remove their socks and shoes at the start of the session to get them used to it! For little girls please avoid hair accessories unless they are very small and a neutral color. Again, thanks and neutrals are great. I have a ton of dresses on a variety of sizes for girls as well.

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After The Session

• Your finished gallery will be sent to you via link through email within 3 weeks post session. You are allowed to download all the images that are included in the gallery. Through that link there is an option to use print any of the images from a professional lab. I strongly suggest doing that as the colors will be more true to what you see!

  

Studio Information

• Have you read all of the above? If not, go do that! If you have, then you’re ready for a great session! My studio is located at 403 N Sagehorn Dr Hartford, SD.