Newborn Session Tips
I shoot most newborn sessions between 10 and 20 days old… so plan early and be sure to schedule your session in your second trimester when possible to ensure that I can hold a date! Once you come home from the hospital (or if you are thinking about it while you are in the hospital)– I have you send me a quick message to let me know that the baby has been born and I work with you to get a date in the coming days. I typically shoot newborn sessions at 11am – Monday through Thursday’s when possible!
Here are a few things to help you know what to expect during your newborn session to make the most of your experience!
BEFORE YOUR SESSION:
Prior to your session, I love to hear your ideas. Is there a theme to your nursery? (I love to see pictures)– What are the main colors of your house or colors that you really love (or don’t love for that matter)? Do you have any favorite quilts, props, or special interests or hobbies in the family?!? (Fishing, wrestling, baseball, Harry Potter, Iowa sports teams, a love of a turtles… you name it, I can come up with something special for your baby!)
If you don’t know the gender of your baby, that’s fine!! I love surprises too and have hundreds of hats, headbands, and props to work for every session.
Feel free to bring props of your own… or coordinate with me to find things together that will look amazing. Etsy shops do need plenty of advance notice to order special items and I work with some fabulous prop vendors and can get customized items to fit every wish or idea. So feel free to tell me what you would LOVE and I will do my best to work with you to do something amazing.
Here is a prep list for your session:
1. Please bring a pacifier (even if baby isn't taking it well… it really helps me soothe into positions.)
2. Bring plenty of diapers and wipes.
3. Keep the baby up as much as possible 2 hours prior to the session so that they are extra sleepy when they get there. They usually fall asleep on the way to the studio, so try to feed them right before you leave and that usually lets me get started right away — a full baby is a happy, sleepy baby! I can't stress this part enough... the more you can keep them awake, the more we can get out of your time in the studio. Tickle toes, give a bath, or even let fuss a little bit without a pacifier prior to your session time.
4. Put baby in an easy to remove outfit — zipper or snaps with no onesies underneath or anything that I need to lift over their head --- this allows me not to disturb them when we get started. If siblings/Spouse are leaving during the session, I usually start with those!
5. If you are breastfeeding… Please feed right before leaving! We can take breaks to eat if baby is fussy as well... and feel free to bring pumped milk if you have some. I have a boppy and rocking chair in the family area for you to relax in! Feel to bring your pump into the studio so you can pump when needed! (I nursed four babies and it never fails that the sound of the pump is soothing to the babies!) :) If bottle feeding, bring extra milk-- at least twice what you would think--- it's not unusual for a baby to go through 2-3x their normal feeding amounts during a session if they aren’t sleeping well or are fussy.
6. Please do not schedule or have any vaccine or office procedures done 3 days prior to the session (circumcisions, tongue clips, or regularly scheduled vaccines can upset the baby and it's best to schedule out a few days for the baby's comfort!)
7. Wear cool clothes for yourself--- a back up set if you would like pictures of the baby without his/her diaper on—I always recommend layers so that you can take off a layer if needed. The studio will get hot during newborn sessions… I keep it around 75-77 degrees in the shooting area to make baby extra comfortable!!
8. Feel free to bring snacks, food, or drinks with you… I have bottled water, coffee and hot cocoa… along with some candy and light snacks in the sitting area… but you may want a sandwich or something else while you are there. (There is a local bar next door with a lunch menu as well!)
9. If you’ve requested or would like a parent/sibling/family shot… wear solids (no patterns, wording, or crazy prints)—My personal preference is everyone in earthtones (browns, tans, creams)... black or grey are always timeless as well. I convert many of the parent shots to black and white— and shoot them on neutral colored backdrops or wood backdrops — either black, gray, or tan (based on preference).
10. Most importantly, I want you to RELAX during your session!! If you want to take advantage of the baby break, feel free to simply sit back, take a nap, or watch a movie. :) I’ll take care of diaper changes, spit up, and unless baby is hungry, you get a well-deserved break!
DURING YOUR SESSION:
Classic and Heirloom Sessions last 2-3 hours and include beanbag poses as well as prop set-ups. I plan far in advance and have all of the props, backgrounds, and set-ups ready to go when possible to make the session go smoothly and maximize our time. The main factor in set-ups is how well baby is sleeping and how often we need to stop to feed/soothe the baby. We take as many breaks as he/she needs to be comfortable and full! 🙂 A baby with a full tummy = a sleepy baby!
Since many of my newborn sessions are done over the lunch hour, don’t forget that you may be hungry too!! You’ve just had a baby, so remember to take care of yourself. Feel free to bring lunch or snacks… (I also have a bar and grill next door that serves food… menus are in my studio.) I have a Keurig with Hot cocoa, coffee, and teas…. as well as some small snack items in the guest sitting area. There are toys, a TV, and couches for you to sit and relax while I work with the baby (within your sight!)
I offer the option of sibling and family poses in my classic and heirloom newborn sessions… they are optional, but I love to know ahead of time if you would like to do them! They are most often done on a neutral gray or light brown backdrop. I highly recommend that if the sibling is 1-5 years old that you drive separately when possible and that way we can either do that set-up at the beginning or at the end to avoid them being bored with the long process. (It also makes an easier and more relaxed setting for you when you aren’t chasing a toddler around for a couple of hours!) Quite often, Dad will drive separately and once the sibling and family pictures are done, they go home and play!
AFTER YOUR SESSION
Soft proofed galleries will be sent to you within 2 weeks (usually sooner – depending on the amount of work that I have!) Soft proofed images are cropped and color adjusted, but the fine tune editing isn't completed yet. Once you select your images, I carefully hand edit every ordered image to remove red marks, discoloration, jaundice, purple hands/feet, etc… I do typically leave skin flakes on hands/feet alone as well as birthmarks, unless specially requested. Those little stork bites and flakes just show how fresh and new they are… but if they bother you, let me know!!
I LOVE working with babies and can’t get enough of them! My goal is for you to relax and know that a baby lovin’ mom of four is carefully working with your precious little one and that I will take all precautions to ensure their safety and comfort during our session!!