Preparing for your newborn photography session is important in order to achieve your vision!
The best time to begin planning your newborn session is while you’re still pregnant. Ideally, I like to schedule them between 5 and 10 days old. They grow so quickly at this age, and we want to make sure we capture those first few days. Some say 12 days— In my humble opinion and experience 7 is ideal. Can we do them older? Of course!! Any age is perfect to have their photos taken! If your vision is soft gentle curled up newborns however, 5 to 10 days.
While you’re still pregnant is the perfect time to contact me to discuss your vision for your session. If you have any personal items you’d like to include in the session as memorable items please mention. Many photographers have many prop options as well depending on what you have envisioned and your photographers style. I love to incorporate things that mean something to you and your family as well, so please do not hesitate to ask, these are your newborn portraits. Tell me about your families hobbies, and favorite color scheme, I want to know what makes your family happy. I send a questionnaire, but I am happy to receive example photos for inspiration.
If you’d like older siblings in the session I think that is a great idea! These sessions are you in home where young children are often the most comfortable and I am happy to meet them where they are.
Let’s talk about feeding that newborn little squish! Have no fear, we have time to wait while you’re feeding your little one between shots because we understand the value of feeding on demand. Pumping isn’t for everyone. Please do not feel like you must do anything special, we work on the baby's time to make them as happy and comfortable as we can! Formula babies, same rules apply. They’ll eat when they’re hungry and we’re in the business to care for their needs first.
I don’t like to set time limits on sessions, but the typical time is 2-3 hours. We want to make sure we get the shots you want, and if that takes three hours than that's how long it takes. After 3 hours, if we're still trying to accomplish our goals I may ask to come back tomorrow so we can all rest and start again with fresh eyes. (This does not happen often.)
The morning of your session, it is ideal to *try* to keep baby awake and stimulated an hour or two prior so they'll be good and sleepy when I arrive to your home or for you to arrive to my studio. Please don't put any tight fitting clothes on baby because they can often leave elastic marks or creases on their skin. Also, please have them in an outfit that does not go over their head to take off, this usually makes them very unhappy. A few days after baby is born, give me a call and we'll consider baby's sleep and eating schedule and times when baby is the happiest, and make plan our session from there.