NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

Time + Light

“Is there a good time to take photos?” For your comfort and convenience, newborn sessions ideally take place in your home. Newborn sessions are best when they occur 7-14 days after the baby is born. This is when babies are most fresh, flexible, sleepy, and likely without baby acne. To allow for the best light, and a sleepy baby, I like to schedule your session to start in the morning. If it's overcast or very cloudy that day, then your session will likely need to be rescheduled. To get the most out of your session, please plan a 30 minute buffer when getting ready so you are ready before I arrive and your session can start on time. We’ll want to take advantage of every minute we have together! 

Styling Your Space

Choose one or two rooms in your home to declutter and style for your newborn session. Rooms with large windows, free of dark shade-screens, far from surrounding walls, and void of thick shrubbery are ideal. It could be the living room, nursery, master bedroom, or even the kitchen! Dress up the spaces with simple, subtle touches like fresh flowers, meaningful heirlooms, or neutral decor. I usually start our session by taking some photos of the nursery while mama is getting dressed. Then I'll wrap Baby in a swaddle and we'll take your family photos. For his/her individual, posed portraits (if you've chosen this option), I will set up my posing beanbag near a glass door or large window. If there's anything else you'd like to include during the posed photos, please have those handy (accessories, mini stuffed animals, etc.). For safety reasons, I don't place the baby in any props like crates, baskets, trucks, etc. Quick tip: If you have colorful or dark bedding in the master bedroom, I suggest replacing it with white or ivory linens for our session. This will help with achieving a bright and airy style. 

Pets 

A dog is a special part of a family, which is why I love when families choose to incorporate pets into their session. I recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then having a friend take him/her somewhere else, or keeping the dog at home but away from all the action. We won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots. If you’re going to incorporate a pet, I recommend exercising your pet before the session and having your pet's favorite toy or treats handy! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot and have a lint roller nearby to keep your clothes looking fresh.

 What to Wear 

Tips for Looking and Feeling Your Best

 You just brought your baby home! Whether you're a birth mom or adoptive mom, you'll be living in comfortable clothes for the next few weeks, so let's do our best to portray the authentic-ness of life with a newborn! If you're breastfeeding, choose clothing that is nursing-friendly. Babies may want to nurse often throughout your session, so dressing appropriately will save time and frustration when he/she needs to eat. A happy and fed baby makes for a smooth portrait session.

 Wardrobe Tips

 Say YES to the dress! Skirts and dresses look most stunning because they really flatter every female body--especially on camera. If you choose to purchase or rent your own dress, use these tips while shopping... I love the way medium patterns photograph - just be careful not to choose a pattern that is too large or too small - it may accidentally make your photos look a little too busy. 

What to Wear (Moms)- Manicure: There will definitely be times during your session when we’re shooting your hands - which means it’s a good idea to clean up your nails before your session (this applies to the guys too!). Have your fingernails, toenails, and cuticles clean and manicured. Softer, pastel colors will compliment my style of photography. These lighter shades tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin. I love bright, neon dresses, but I don’t love the neon reflection they add to your complexion. Accessories-Keep it simple. Large jewelry pieces will distract from where we want the focus: on the baby! Wear your wedding band and small earrings only, if desired. Always say YES to false lashes! You'll be looking down at the baby for a majority of your photos and we want your eyes to pop! 

What to Wear (Dads)- Soft, neutral colors are the best choice. We want the mood to be calm and relaxing. A soft t-shirt with jeans or slacks and casual shoes or bare feet is ideal. Solid shades of light gray, blue, khaki, and white are a strong compliment to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. I also recommend staying away from graphics, logos, and shorts.

*LUXURY DRESS RENTALS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST*

Prepping Your Family

 Colors- There’s no such thing as too much white. Don't be afraid of white! Having everyone in varying shades of white, or other very pale colors, will ensure that your images are in line with a bright and airy style. White, ivory, cream, and champagne complement all skin tones. Yes, even if you don't have a tan! White clothing instantly brightens your images, no matter the decor or how much natural light is in your home! 

All About the Baby 

The baby is the star of the show! Wraps and tight swaddles will photograph better than clothing. Bodysuits and other clothing tend to look too baggy. I will bring a swaddle with me and get the baby wrapped up nice and tight at the start of your session. Be sure to cut the baby's nails so he/she doesn't leave scratches on his/her face. For the posed photos (if you opted for this session), I will use one swaddle and unwrap your baby slowly in order to offer more variety in your final gallery. My goal is to shoot your entire session while Baby is sleeping, so I don't change the Baby into different outfits. 

Things to have handy- pacifier, bottle, and/or breastfeeding pillow, touch-up makeup, water for parents, snacks and water for little ones. A close friend or family member to help with pets and/or toddler- If you have a toddler or younger child, small eye-catching items to keep their attention, like toys or lollipops. 

Final Tips

 If you have a boy and are choosing to have him circumcised, I suggest having the procedure done after your newborn session or at least seven days prior to your session. His discomfort shortly after the circumcision will greatly affect the success of the session. Age 7-14 days is ideal for a Posed Session. Once Baby reaches 15 days old, he/she will have more awake time during the day, baby acne will start to develop, and the newborn "peach fuzz" will go away. Please keep Baby awake and stimulated for 1-2 hours before I arrive. (This is usually a good job for Dad so Mom can take this time getting ready.) A stimulating bath is usually a good way to encourage deep sleep throughout the session. I suggest you start feeding Baby about 30 minutes before I arrive so that he/she has a full tummy and will likely fall asleep just as we are ready to start the session. Once he/she has finished feeding, please keep the baby in a diaper only and loosely wrapped in a blanket to keep him/her warm. Avoid wrapping him/her in a tight swaddle and having the baby fall asleep. The baby should be awake, yet drowsy, when I arrive. I will have you change Baby into a fresh diaper just before I wrap him/her in a swaddle blanket (which I will bring with me). If your baby has not lost his/her umbilical cord, please have a Band-aid handy so that I can gently place the Band-aid over the cord stub so that it doesn't snag on the swaddle and cause him/her pain. When the session is over, the Band-aid is easily removed using olive or coconut oil to dissolve the adhesive. In the days before your session, it is a good idea to avoid foods that make Baby gassy (if Mom is breastfeeding and/or pumping) like spicy foods, onions, broccoli, garlic, or even dairy and caffeine. Your hands will be in some photos. Moms, you may want to touch up your nails (if that's important to you).

Please refer to my above Newborn Style Guide for detailed information on how to dress your family and feel free to reach out to me if you have any other questions!