Preparing for Your Newborn Session
I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with you in the studio soon! Before your portrait session, there are a few important things I’d like to share.
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Newborns tend to do best in the studio when they’re in a deep sleep. To encourage this, I recommend keeping your baby awake as much as possible during the few hours leading up to your appointment.
Below, you’ll find some helpful tips to ensure everything goes smoothly. Don’t stress about doing everything perfectly—just do your best, and we’ll take care of the rest!
Bath Time
Before heading to your session, give your baby a warm bath. This will not only help keep them awake but also ensure they’re fresh, clean, and ready for their photoshoot!
Traveling
I know this can be a challenge, but try to keep your baby awake during the car ride to the session. In my experience, babies who have had a long nap before arriving at the studio tend to be more difficult to pose. If they are wide awake during the session, it often requires extra time and effort to settle them back to sleep, which can take an hour or more and will count against your session time.
Nursing/Feeding
This may sound unusual, but if possible, please try to hold off on feeding your baby for about two hours before your appointment. Once you arrive at the studio, you’ll have time to feed your baby and change their diaper before we begin the session.
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Starting the session with a full, satisfied, and comfortable baby helps everything run more smoothly. That said, I completely understand how unpredictable feeding schedules can be, so don’t worry if you need to feed your baby before arriving. If your baby gets hungry during the session, we can always pause for a quick snack break!
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If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, I recommend pumping ahead of time and using a bottle for the session if possible. Nursing can sometimes take an hour or more, which can significantly delay the session. Please note that any time spent feeding during the session counts toward your overall session time.
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For those using formula, please bring more than enough to ensure you don’t run out. Babies tend to eat more frequently during sessions, and running out of formula mid-session could be challenging.
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For your convenience, I have a bottle warmer available in the studio for you to use if needed.
Outfit Changes
I aim to keep outfit and swaddle changes to a minimum, typically no more than two or three. This is because removing swaddles or clothing can sometimes startle babies, making it harder to settle them back to sleep.
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You’re welcome to bring your own outfits for your baby if you’d like, but I also have a wide selection of stretchy swaddle wraps available, as well as a few newborn outfits in the studio for you to choose from.
Bring the Pacifier
If your baby uses a pacifier, binky, or soother, please bring one or two with you to the session. A pacifier can be incredibly helpful for keeping your baby calm while transitioning between poses. However, if your baby doesn’t take a pacifier, that’s perfectly okay—we’ll manage just fine without one!
Family & Siblings
When photographing newborns with their parents and/or siblings, I typically capture those poses at the beginning of the session. If you’re bringing other children to the studio, please keep in mind that sessions can last two hours or more, and little ones may become restless as time goes on.
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To keep them entertained, I recommend bringing along quiet activities, drinks, and snacks. Maintaining a calm and quiet environment in the studio helps your baby stay comfortable and sleepy.
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If possible, you might want to arrange for a friend or family member to pick up your other child(ren) once their portion of the session is complete. This can make the remainder of the session smoother and more relaxing for everyone.
Plan Ahead for Potty Time
Unfortunately, there is no restroom available in the studio, so I recommend planning ahead for any necessary potty breaks. However, in case of an emergency, you are welcome to use the restroom in our home next door if you feel comfortable. I always ensure it is clean and ready for use!
That's All for Now
I believe that covers everything! Please keep in mind that these are just recommendations. By doing your best to follow these tips, I’ll be able to make the most of your studio time, providing you with a wider variety of scenes and poses. I promise the effort will be well worth it—you’ll end up with more photos than the average session!
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If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m excited to work with you soon!