The minute you saw your baby, you fell head over heels in love. Those chipmunk cheeks, wrinkly hands, and their tiny little body have filled your heart with so much joy. You keep trying to memorize every detail before they get bigger – their sweet smell, the way they smile when they’re sleeping, the grunts, and the feel of their hands grasping your fingers. You want to remember every minute of these special days for the rest of your life.
As a new parent, you finally understand why other parents tell you to cherish these first weeks. Your child will grow so quickly. It won’t be long before they transition to a toddler, and you’ll be struggling to remember how soft their skin was, and how their sleepy head seemed to fit perfectly on your shoulder as you rocked them to sleep. That’s where newborn photo sessions come in handy – preserving these precious, fleeting days.
Your newborn’s photography session should be an exciting time for your family. But parents often find themselves worried and anxious about preparing themselves and their babies for the big occasion. With a little planning, you can relax and enjoy the session, knowing all your bases are covered. Years from now, you’ll be glad you booked a newborn photo session so you can stroll back in time to the days when you didn’t have to share your child with the rest of the world.
Follow our top five tips to make sure you and your baby have a great session that documents this special time in your lives.
The ideal timeline for a newborn sessions when infants are between 5 to 14 days old. That’s a small window of time, so you need to be thinking ahead! However, I will gladly accept a baby up until one month old for your newborn session.
By Scheduling in advance, we will be prepared for when your baby decides to make its grand entrance.
Also, scheduling your session ahead of time will make it less likely that I will be fully booked when you call. Waiting until the last minute to schedule your session might mean you won’t get to have me being your photographer, and you’ll be stuck shopping based on availability instead of finding a professional who fits your preferred style.
A good time to start the booking process is around your second trimester. Reach out to me and tell me your due date (and answer any other questions I might have). Then, once your sweet baby is born, let me know the exciting news, and you’ll get an exact date for your session.
To prepare for fussy moments, you’ll want to have a few things ready — a pacifier, a bottle of formula/breastmilk, a swaddling blanket, and a few clean diapers. If nothing seems to be working to calm your bundle of joy, ask for a break in your session while you try to get things under control.
A few other things you should keep in mind when it comes to your baby’s newborn session are:
• I am always adding to my client closet for babies - which include props, but if there is something in particular you want me to include, let me know.
• Try to keep the volume down to maintain a calm environment. When you get overwhelmed, you and your baby can both feel it. Staying relaxed and quiet will ensure a calm atmosphere.
• Make sure you come prepared to be in a few of the photos. You may not be feeling like a supermodel quite yet, but getting in the photos with your infant will create some lasting memories you’ll both treasure.
• Wear neutral colors like creams, mild tones, and soft hues for intimate portraits.
• It’s best to avoid chunky jewelry and watches, which can be distracting elements and will look dated years from now. Strive for timeless photos that will be staples in your home for decades to come.
• If you want to capture your entire family with your newest addition, the best time to do so is toward the end of the session. Consider having the rest of your family show up at the end, so the noise level from the extra people doesn’t disturb your baby.