What to expect for your Newborn Session
If this is your first newborn session, below is some information that will help you prepare for the big day. But no stressing is allowed! At the end of the day, you just need to bring your baby and milk. The below is for those who want ALL the information!
Scheduling
If you haven’t already scheduled your session, you can start by confirming your booking here. This will ensure that I have your due date on my calendar. Once your baby arrives, I know you will have a lot going on, but please try to send me an email as soon as you can, especially if you are looking to do your session in the first few weeks. More here on early newborn sessions vs. older newborn sessions. I only do newborn sessions Mon-Fri with a start time as early as 8:30am or as late as 11am.
Upon arrival
I have all the baby’s wraps and accessories covered for you (unless you have a special newborn outfit you’d like to document). Upon arrival, we will look through my wraps, backdrop and accessories that you can choose from. I will guide you through the process and help you choose what suits your style.
Sibling and Family Photos First
If we are doing a family session, we will start with family and/or sibling photos unless otherwise arranged. If you have an older child or children, you are welcome to have them stay through the “baby only” portion of session, but be aware that those photos often go more smoothly without the distraction of their siblings. It is not a large studio, so they may get a little antsy as that portion can take about 2 hours. There is a park directly across the street from my house and there are many restaurants nearby. Menchie’s and Jeni’s ice cream are nearby if they want to go out for a treat or other ideas for things to do in the Heights. If you live nearby, if often works well if your partner or other family member takes the kids back home or back to school and then comes back to pick up the other partner to watch the rest of the session, or after the session is over. It’s totally up to you as to what works best for your family.
Clothing, Hair, Etc.
If you have any special outfits you would like to have your baby in, feel free to bring them. But keep in mind that most clothes don’t properly fit a newborn just yet. Even “newborn” sized clothing is often too big in those first few weeks. If you do have an outfit, be sure to try it on the baby before you arrive. At this age, wraps or “photography” outfits (which I have for you to choose from) are usually the best to conform to their tiny little bodies.
If you are the one who gave birth to your baby, here are some resources for what to wear for your newborn session. If you just gave birth, you may be in that weird in-between stage of maternity wear and pre-pregnancy wear because of swelling so wear anything that you feel comfortable in. A flowy dress or top often works well.
For colors: this is totally a matter of preference. If you like the light and airy look, then go for neutral or very soft colors as this will soften the photos. If you like bright and contrasted photos, then go for those colors. Think about the look of your house. If you plan on displaying the photos in your home, then you can go with the color palette in your home. This said, neutral will stand the test of time and any changing color palettes so if you’re on the fence, go neutral. Whites, creams, beiges, greys or very pale shades all work well.
Try to stay away from any busy patterns. A mens shirt with a subtle pattern is fine, but nothing too bold or flashy. Also, try to avoid clothing with words on it. Our eyes tend to go straight to the words. Small logos such as those often on men’s shirts are ok, but try to avoid large logos anything with a slogan or distracting image.
Don’t worry about shoes! Unless you specifically request it, I usually don’t do full body length photos. If you are a female, you can wear heels if your partner is a lot taller and you want the extra few inches, but they probably won’t show. If we are doing sibling photos, I do photos on a fake bed and have the siblings barefoot. One less thing for you to worry about!
I may be taking close ups of each family member’s hands with the baby. Just a heads up in case any nail grooming is needed ahead of time for anyone in the family. (This doesn’t mean you have to go out and get manicure, just tidy things up).
Please be sure to iron or steam clothing before your session or bring iron/steamed clothing on a hanger and change in the studio to prevent wrinkles from showing in photos. I will not be able to photoshop wrinkles in clothing in post processing.
For women, I understand that having your hair done right now may not be a top priority, please understand that hair is the hardest to fix in photoshop after the fact. I will be adjusting your hair to move away strays from your face and place hair gently around you. But any major hair edits such as roots that need to be touched up or a hairstyle that didn’t look as you intended, will be subject to extra editing fees or may not be able to be fixed at all. Please be sure you are comfortable with your hair before the session begins.
If you would like hair and makeup done just let me know and I’m happy to set something up for you.
Feedings
Whether bottle fed or breast feed, your baby’s needs come first and we will stop for feedings any time that is needed, no rush. If you live nearby, it’s often easiest to feed your baby before you leave so he or she arrives full and ready to go. But if you live further away or the timing didn’t work out to feed your baby before arrival, it’s no big deal. You can feed him or her upon arrival, or any time that is needed through the session. We will work around your baby’s schedule and pace.
Often people wonder how the session will take so long. It is because the bulk of session time is feeding, changing and soothing your baby to sleep. For some babies this can be very quick, and others need a lot more time, so session times vary accordingly. If you would like your baby in poses, it can sometimes take some time for the baby to settle into a deep enough sleep for posing, so please don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away. There are times when even after all of our efforts, the baby won’t fall into a deep enough sleep to pose. But photos can be just as beautiful of your baby alert or just sleeping on their backs. The first 2 weeks are usually the easiest to for sleepy babies as they very quickly become stronger and more alert. There is never a guarantee but I will do my best to get them sleepy and posed.
Environment
The temperature of the studio is set a little warmer than most indoor spaces. This is to make sure your newborn is comfortable since they are still used to a warm womb. If you feel too warm at any time please let me know as your comfort is just as important!
If your baby is taking a bottle or pacifier, please be sure to bring those along. If you are breastfeeding, I will give you time and privacy to feed as needed. The studio has a rocking chair, changing table, boppy, snacks and drinks to make these breaks as comfortable as possible.
The studio has a bathroom, changing station, bottle warmer, wipes, coffee, tea and water for your comfort. There is also refrigerator if you need it for your baby’s milk.
Please note that the studio is up one flight of stairs, so please let me know if this will be a problem in any way for you. I know if you had a C-section, stairs are restricted for a while, so please consult with your doctor to be sure it is safe for you to go up and down once on your session date.
At the end of the day, this is all about you, your baby and your family. Please let me know of anything that I can do to make your session more comfortable for you and to ease any concerns.
Here is the link to package options if you are still trying to decide on the best session for you.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I’m looking forward to working with you!
