Preparation
NEWBORN SESSION
A bit about what to expect.
The first thing I feel important to note is that the baby will typically determine the flow of the session. Newborns are unpredictable and this shoot is all about them. Please do not worry about your baby crying or needing to eat or be bopped, bounced or soothed during the shoot - newborn sessions are intentionally longer to allow for plenty of breaks, feedings and diaper/outfit changes. It is usually a good idea to try and feed your baby right before the session so they’re sleepy and content but if that is not the schedule that baby is on the day of our session, no worries at all! We will adapt!
Collect any sentimental items that you would like incorporated into the photos. I truly love photographing the details like the nursery, the crib, baby books, and cherished toys. If you have a special book you plan to read every day or a handmade item from a friend or family member, I would love to talk about how to work them into the photos!
First..
Open all of the curtains and blinds in your home. The first thing I’ll do when I arrive is find my favorite light to work in, so having the blinds open enables me to glance around each room and quickly find its potential. My favorite areas of the home for newborn sessions are the nursery, master bedroom and living room however it’s more about finding the rooms with the best light.
Warmth! Babies love to be warm and toasty. For the some of our session, baby will be dressed but there’s nothing sweeter than photographing a new baby in their birthday suit and while it’s important to me to capture these sweet details, it’s equally important that your baby is cozy and comfortable. For this reason, I recommend that you to warm your house to about 80-85 degrees for the session. If you have a small space heater, this helps too!
Clear nightstands or prominent counters of clutter or distracting elements and do a quick tidy. Focus on your bedroom and baby’s nursery as these are my favorite places to shoot. The counters don’t have to be perfectly clean or in order, and your house does not have to be clean, but clearing end tables or nightstands of water glasses, pacifiers and half full bottles will make your photos look more polished and will make transitions between shots a lot smoother. That being said, it’s usually not that difficult for me to spot distracting elements while I’m taking the photos and just quickly hide whatever it is for a moment! I also ask that you make the bed using a neutral comforter, throw and shams. Textured neutrals are a beautifully clean, comforting backdrop for a beautiful cuddle session!
Since my focus is to photograph the highlights of your new family, you and your partner will be in a lot of the photos. I recommend keeping it simple and comfortable. Neutral, light (creams, whites, grays or pastel) tones work best as they don't take away from the natural beauty of your baby. Skip the bright, busy patterns for this type of session and stay away from prominent logos or writing on clothing; you want all of the attention to be on the baby and your sweet interactions together. Solid tops and textures like big knits and lace are great options.
What should we wear?
