Newborn Session Prep Guide
Take a few minutes to browse this guide and feel fully prepared for your newborn session.
Welcome!
Hey friend! Thank you for choosing me to capture your pregnancy and this special time in your life. Your trust and confidence in my work mean everything to me.
I know that the images we are going to create together will exceed your expectations and bring joy to your heart. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I love.
Over the next few pages, I’ll give you ALL the info that you’ll need to make the most of your session!
the perfect time
The sweet spot for newborn photos is between 10 and 20 days when the baby is still very sleepy and squishy. So I will reserve a date for you in my calendar about 2 weeks after your due date, but shoot me a text (and a pic is always fun too) when baby arrives so we can firm up that date.
If you’re having a BOY and planning to circumcise, please let me know so we can schedule around that procedure!
what to wear
for mom
I hope you’ve decided to be IN photos with your baby! You won’t be sorry, I promise.
For mom … I suggest loose, flowing clothing. Whether it's a long maternity dress, a favorite comfy sweater, or a color you feel beautiful in--bring it. Keep it simple and timeless.
Please wear flesh colored / nude undergarments. It’s much easier to Photoshop out a bra strap that matches your skin tone. Nipple covers or breast pads are a good idea as well.
Matte finish make up, a little heavier than you normally wear, photographs best.
I love a hairstyle that is down and curled - but girl, do whatever you can with a tiny baby! Don’t stress.
Get a mani/pedi appointment on the books now - schedule just before your due date, so you don’t have to think about that.
Since I will photograph baby first, you can do your hair and make up in the studio bathroom while I’m photographing baby. So don’t think you have to have all of this done and come ready for photos when you arrive.
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For dad … In the spirit of keeping this session stress free, I highly recommend dads go simple with their clothes. A simple black t-shirt is awesome! Excessive fabric from dress shirts and collars can hinder posing tiny babies in dad's arms. Go for a simple, solid-color t-shirt, or a long-sleeve knit or waffle crew that is coordinated to mom’s outfit.
Daddy …. scrub your hands and fingernails with a nail brush. They’ll show!
for dad
For siblings …. for family photos to stand the test of time and not look dated, pick classic pieces from your children's closets or head to target or Amazon and buy clothes that match your family's personalities and complement each others' color choices.
I’ve compiled a list on Amazon that you can use for inspiration or to grab an item if needed. Click here.
for siblings
Tips for everyone
Everyone wearing the same color/shade can look too matchy-matchy, don't hesitate to text me with outfit ideas in the days before your shoot!
Wrinkles do show up in photos, so please make sure all clothing is ironed or steamed.
Your hands will be in the photos, so tend to them. Trim and tidy your nails and cuticles, remove chipped nail polish, and apply moisturizer.
my client closet
I offer a few pieces in my Client Closet that you can access for free. My closet includes several long dresses in different styles, plus a white button down collar shirt that pairs perfectly with jeans.
This allows you to choose something that will look amazing in photos, without the hassle and expense of finding something on your own. Whether you're looking for elegance, comfort, or a bit of both, there's something in the closet for you!
If you choose something to borrow, please let me know asap so I can have it ironed and ready to go! I won’t have time to prepare a clothing item when you arrive at our session.
foods to avoid when breast feeding
Although it doesn’t happen often, more than one newborn session has been rescheduled because baby had an upset tummy. And only later mom realized “Oh, I ate Thai food last night!” Don’t eat Thai food the night before your newborn session (or other acidic/spicy/gassy foods or drinks).
This list is a helpful guide of common foods to avoid while nursing. These foods typically affect babies under 6 weeks. As they get older, introduce foods one at a time to see how they are affected. Every baby is different, so be sure to consult with your pediatrician.
I recommend you avoid these foods for 48 hours prior to our photography session.
Citrus Acidic Foods and Drinks such as: cranberries, pineapple, grapefruit, oranges, lemons, strawberries [berries in general], tomatoes or tomato products such as salsa or ketchup, chocolate, peanuts [nuts in general], pizza, spaghetti, chili, tacos, salsa, any spicy foods, Thai food
Gassy Vegetables such as: asparagus, onions, cucumbers/pickles, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage
Restrict Foods such as: soda, coffee, tea, wine and beer
the day of your session!
preparing baby while you’re at home
I have some great tips for you that are tried and true and will result in an easier session for all of us!
I recommend parents use my UNsoothing method (as opposed to trying to soothe a newborn to sleep) on the morning of our shoot. Don't be worried about the term, this method is gentle and baby-led for sleep, and works great for a smooth session! This unsoothing method results in having a baby who is ready to sleep when you arrive.
Feed baby 2 hours before our session start time.
After feeding, don't actively try to get baby to sleep--let them be awake!
If baby is fussing, you can soothe them--we don't want a crying baby!
This is a great window of time to give baby a bath! Not only will it keep baby awake, but it will fluff up greasy hair and clean off any grimy folds newborns can get around their necks!
Letting baby kick unswaddled in a warm room is a great way for them to wear themselves out!
BUT if any of this is stressing you or baby out, please just let baby snooze and we'll still have an amazing session! Newborns can have awake periods of up to two hours so if baby arrives ready to party, we'll spend this time capturing some awake shots!
arriving at the studio
Be prepared ..... the studio is WARM!! We want to keep your sweet babe comfortable for photographs while partially wrapped and undressed. The studio is usually somewhere around 78 degrees, so dress yourselves in layers or cool clothing.
I have a bathroom in the studio just for you and you can change and get yourself ready before we start family pictures. You’ll be just a few steps away!
My studio is built on to the back of our big gray shop. Google will take you right to the shop and you can park directly in front.
Shoot me a text when you turn onto 95th street and I'll come out to greet you with a smile before I put my mask on.
proofs and delivery of final images
Your proofing gallery will be sent to you within a few days after our session. This is where you’ll select the images you want me to edit for your final gallery. You’ll select the number of images based on your package. You will have the opportunity to add additional images if you wish.
When I get your final selections I’ll get to editing! Final retouched images will be completed in about two weeks after I get your choises.
You will receive an email (and usually a text too) that your images are finished and available in a password protected online gallery. This is to protect your privacy, but feel free to share with whomever you choose. You can print right from the gallery for professional prints (and accurate coloring), or anywhere you choose (please don’t choose a drugstore)!!
our agreement and session payment
You’ll receive a photography agreement by email that summarizes our plans for the session. I know … not the fun stuff, but my ‘boss’ makes me follow the rules. Ha. Please read the agreement and sign it electronically so we can get the boring stuff done and have some FUN! Thank you!
You’ll also receive a deposit request due upon booking. This will hold your session date in my calendar. Your balance is due on your session date.
I send a reminder for final invoice payment by email the day before our session. You’re welcome to pay any way it’s convenient for you - credit card, cash, check or Venmo. I pass along the credit card processing fee to my clients, so if you pay in a form other than credit card, you can remove that line item! That’s a win-win!
health protection
I am vaccinated for the covid and flu viruses and will wear a mask during our session, but of course do not expect you to wear one. If we were meeting for coffee I wouldn’t wear a mask, but because I’m going to be extremely close to your brand-new baby for several hours, I prefer to wear a mask during our session for my own piece of mind, as well as yours.
thank you!
I have the very best job in the world.
And what I've found throughout the last 10 years of photographing newborns is that it's not just about taking pretty photos of adorable little babies.
It's about making this one day a relaxing and fun one for parents - not adding to your stress, but giving you a break to sit back and really marvel at this little life you've been chosen to be the parent of.
I hope the memories during the shoot are as beautiful as the photos you'll have as heirloom images for decades to come.