What to expect from your newborn photo session
You are getting ready for your upcoming newborn photo session and you are SO EXCITED, I am too!
Letting your baby into a deep sleep and carefully posed takes preparation, time, patience, commitment and some skill. I want nothing more than to give you the photos of your dreams, so here are some helpful tips and rules to follow while preparing for your upcoming session with me.
When should the session take place?
For natural deliveries and babies born around their due dates, I like to have them in the studio in the first week. 5-15 days new For preemies and C-section babies, it's usually best to push the session back closer to the 2 week mark. Really though, every baby is different and anytime in the first 2 weeks will work!
What to bring:
- Soother – very important! Even if you don't plan to use one long-term, a soother can be vital to keeping you baby settled during a session. It can be the glue that holds it all together! Make sure to bring one and have it on hand.
- Extra diapers
- Extra receiving blankets because poo and pee happen during newborn sessions! No need to apologize! It happens often and everything is washable. Just expect it to happen and then you won’t be upset or surprised if your child poops on me.
- Extra formula if formula fed, nursing pillow if breastfed
- Warm blanket for in between posing.
- If you are doing family shots and want the baby to be naked, bring a change of clothes just in case, accidents happen!
The morning/day of your session:
If you are breastfeeding, skip your AM coffee. You can have a cup when you arrive! Also, try to avoid any gas producing foods 24-48 hours before your session. A gassy baby is a fussy baby, we want a calm happy baby.
Please feed and burp your baby right before our session to ensure a happy, sleepy “milk drunk” baby. You can even do this when you arrive. We’ll also take as many breaks as needed to top baby up. Babies tend to eat a lot more during the session so please be prepared for this.
Keep baby awake prior to the session. An hour or so before, stimulate baby by a bath or play to keep them awake and ensure they are sleepy for the session. Most of the images work best if the baby is in a deep sleep. I know, you are VERY tired and keeping your baby awake goes against everything you want right now, but it will be worth it in the end! Remember this is just ONE day :)
Some babies sleep for their entire sessions! Other babies need to be fed, bounced or cuddled a lot during their sessions. That's okay! Plan on 50% of your session time to be used for feeding, changing diapers, and cuddling/bouncing. Patience is the key to a successful newborn session! Don't stress. Babies can sense stress and anxiety (especially from their mommys!)
I do not have an assistant, so I may ask for help with some of the set ups. This is typically to spot baby and ensure safety at all times. Safety is super important so I won’t attempt any poses that I’m not trained in or not comfortable with. If at any time during your session you are not comfortable, please tell me and we will immediately stop.
Your baby is in safe hands, I promise! I've handled many, many newborns for photo sessions. Feel free to rest, relax and leave the room for a bit if you’d like. Take a break! You have earned it for sure!
I am excited to meet you and your new bundle of joy!
xo Jessica