Newborn Session Prep Guide

The session flows best when we have a sleepy baby. So here are a few things that could help ensure that baby will sleep.

1. Please give baby a bath in the morning before coming in for the session. This will stimulate baby and help baby tire out. Lotioning your baby after the bath will also help with pressure points and relaxation. Allowing your baby to kick and be free  for around 10-15 minutes will also help tire them out.

2. Dress baby in a zip up sleeper, or a button up. NO undershirt please! We do not want any clothing we have to pull over top of the baby's head.

3. Before you leave the house for your session, Please FEED baby. This will allow baby to fall into a deep sleep while you are driving to the studio.

BOTTLE

Some new babies struggle to get the hang of breastfeeding in the first few weeks OR they are cluster feeders. Please bring a bottle of pumped milk or formula just incase we need it.

 PLEASE BRING A PACIFIER

We will only use the pacifier if baby is having trouble transitioning into different poses. Sometimes a baby just needs to suck for a few seconds to relax. This does not mean that they are hungry. However, if they are rooting for longer, we will give baby to mom for a feed and a snuggle.

IF you are worried about nipple confusion, As a mother of 4 children, I can assure you that the few seconds or minutes of a pacifier will not affect them. They will always prefer the breast with milk over a dry pacifier. However, refusing a pacifier during your session could make your session go longer by several hours.

WHAT TO WEAR

Please wear something neutral or soft colours. A white or black shirt will also work well. You do not need to match your spouse. Variety does look nice.

Please AVOID wearing anything with LOGOS or something that you want photoshopped out. Please note that it will be HOT in the studio. There is a sitting area for Dads to hang out when they are done their portion of the session. Please keep in mind that a thick sweater, most likely will have you sweating in seconds. So please keep things Light. Think like you will be hanging out in a HOT YOGA studio:)

Generally I will crop the parent and family images so that only the upper body will be shown. Please view the images below for a general idea on studio family posing thats available. If you want a specific family pose you've seen on my website, or social media. Feel free to let me know to incorporate it.

Small children will be laying on their back with their newbornsibling wrapped securely. Perhaps show your child these pictures so they know what to expect ahead of time!

Bringing bribery is an excellent idea, but not something messy like chocolate. Think gummies or something they really love!

5 years old and up will be able to sit up or lay down with their siblings

Family images are all done sitting with a close crop such as shown below. When choosing your clothing, keep in mind that the color tones should all compliment eachother, but do not need to match.

 

TIME FRAME

Every newborn session is different.  Please have your spouse and other children come around 2 hours after we've started. (If you have other children that usually have naptime between 11am-2pm please make arrangements with Kathryn ahead of time to begin newborn session with siblings so that they can go home after their portion is finished.)

But keep in mind, that Not every baby sleeps easily so this time can vary. I do not rush the baby, and you should be prepared to hang out for a while since baby is the Boss:) Please avoid booking any appointments on the day of the newborn session incase baby decides to Boss us around more then normal;)

 

SPOUSE AND OR OTHER CHILDREN

The studio room will be warm and the newborn session will last around 3 hours. The session flows best with a quiet and calm environment (It is common for siblings to make a session go longer then 3 hours)

If your other children are 3 or younger:

We will start the session with Family & Sibling poses.  This way, we will avoid a meltdown around naptime.

Please bring bribery that is not messy like chocolate (I will have some as well) Please let me know ahead of time if I'm not allowed to give a lollypop at the end as a reward for pictures) Please do not pull out the Iphone or Ipad and show them cartoons or shows until AFTER their portion of the pictures are finished.

If your other children are 4 years of age or older: 
We will begin the session with your newborn baby and do their entire solo portion first. Once the newborn portion is complete, we will do the sibling poses, and then parents and family shots.

**It is my recommendation that if you do have other children with you for the newborn session, to either bring two vehicles and have your Spouse and other children go back home, or elsewhere such as to the park, playground or Mcdonald's Play Place that is just a few minutes down the highway, or the new Premium outlet mall or Costco that is just down the road. This will give dad and other children time to eat and play while mom stays with baby and completes the lengthy part of the newborn session.**

This makes it easier for mom to relax and enjoy the newborn session to the full.

 

If this is your first child, then dad is still welcome to go for coffee and come back afterwards. Or he can hang out in the sitting area where it is cooler. There is only room in the studio for 2 adults to hang out during the session. 

 

SNACKS

The session takes place from Mid Morning and usually goes past the lunch hour. Please bring yourself lunch and snacks. Moms are welcome to eat in the studio room during the session. I do have a Keurig with Coffee, and regular creamer ready for you with some snacks. If you need dairy free please let me know ahead of time:) 

Your newborn session is very important to me. I want you to love everything you receive. I have a standard newborn workflow that involves 3-4 poses on the fabric, and then 3-4 props, and then we finish off with family. 

To help me plan out your session please help me know which colours to avoid for your setups, and what the most important thing to you is.

Are you most drawn to a specific pose? if so please let me know by screenshotting your absolute must haves!

**Please do not refer to Pinterest or other photographers websites**

Studio Address:

3781 - 56 Ave E, Edmonton International Airport, AB

Cell Number:

780-819-3947

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