HOW TO PREPARE A NEWBORN SESSION
As parents we want to capture our babies’ delicate features as they unfold in front of our eyes. We envision to create beautiful images that will last and be a treasure forever. This is our time to make memories for when your child grows older.
But getting ready for a newborn photography session can be very overwhelming. When you are preparing for a newborn photography session, whether it’s at your home or at a studio, there are a number of things that you can do. The more pre-planning that goes into the newborn photoshoot, the better the end results are likely to be.
As a professional newborn and baby photographer I have put together a few tips that always work to capture great shots of the newest addition, including how to manage the baby feeding, what your newborn should wear, which things you should keep handy during the session, and more. Keep scrolling down!
With this being said, the thought of preparing for a newborn shoot can be stressful for many parents. To ease the anxiety of this memorable day, I put together a guide to ensure you busy mamas and papas will arrive ready to witness picture perfect results!
Read below to learn how to properly prepare for your newborn's photoshoot. This 3 step guide will tell you all there is to know!
Feed Me!
A content baby with a full tummy will ensure a successful photography session. We often recommend parents to feed their baby full about 30 minutes before they come to the session. Warm milk equals a happy model! You don’t want their photo session disrupted by their frantic cries for milk. Feeding and burping your infant before your newborn photo session begins results in less crying, better mood, and relaxed parents. Also, if your baby is using a pacifier, make sure it is ready at all times, I want your baby to be as comfortable as possible.
Best Dressed
Babies look best in simple onesies. A plain white, grey or pastel color onesie is more than enough for your newborn photos. As a result, this insures the focus of the portrait is on the baby and not on the clothing he/she is wearing. Need to swaddle the baby? No problem. I recommend a solid light color or small print pattern. Prepare blankets and muslins in advance, so they are easily accessible during the shoot. Also, if the session is at home, turn up heat so the shooting space will be extra warm - essential for baby's comfort and deep sleep.
Location Scout
It is tempting to just plop the baby on the bed and start shooting, but by taking a few extra minutes to set up the scene ahead of time, you can get much better photos. To make sure everyone is comfortable, I typically photograph newborns in your home. You have everything you need there. Have all of the areas where your child will be prepared before I arrive. These places may include the baby's nursery, the parents bedroom, and the living room. It is always helpful when the area has a generous amount of natural light while shooting. White noise or womb sounds can have a calming effect on the newborn during the session, so it is helpful to have these playing in the selected space.
A newborn photoshoot is such a special experience. I love being able to capture so many different moments which eventually turn into keepsake images for parents to cherish forever. And I still love to explore new techniques and approaches in order to create the artistic and creative lifestyle images that are expected of a professional newborn photography session.
Especially if it's your first time or if you haven't done it in a long while, you may have no idea what to prepare for the session, which can make your experience not so good. And we don't want that to happen! So here is a checklist to keep in mind to get ready for your newborn photography session:
Bring a snack and water for yourself and any pets and siblings
If siblings are coming, bring some entertainment for them
Bring at least one change of clothing (just in case any accidents happen)
Bring everything for changing and feeding the baby (including any special creams and products you use)
Bring a brush if the newborn has hair!
If you want to make the session extra creative, then feel free to bring little props (stuffed animals, wraps and blankets) and simple accessories (cute hats and headbands) you'd like to incorporate
Newborn sessions can be unpredictable so you need lots of patience during your shoot. The photoshoot will be moving according to your baby's mood so we may take a couple of breaks in between. But don't stress out! As long as you have the things I mentioned above, then I can guarantee that your session will have little to no bumps along the way.
Honestly, we never know how the newborn photo session will go, babies are unpredictably adorable! But hopefully these suggestions help you feel prepared and comfortable for your upcoming photo date. If you are still unsure about something, just ask!
