Tips for a successful newborn session!
Yay! You’re home! You’ve done the hard part (or have you?) of growing and birthing that magical little human and now' you’re looking for a newborn session to capture those sweet little details you’ll want to remember forever! Don’t worry….I gotchu! Here are some tips for a successful newborn session!
Try to book your photographer before your little one has arrived. Yes - a lot of the time I am able to squeeze people in, but it is very helpful for planning if I’ve got you on my calendar a few months before your due date! Once your baby has arrived and you are home and settled in, reach out and we will schedule a date that works best for your family! Typically, I aim to schedule within the first 3 weeks of the baby’s life, as this is when they are the most snuggly and sleepy, and haven’t quite learned how to stretch out those little limbs!
Keeping that baby comfortable! I strive to always keep the room warm, and when it can’t be, I keep a space heater on the baby 90% of the time! Coupled with some beautiful swaddles and that comforting heat, baby is nice and toasty! Try to dress them in a onesie that zips down the front, as anything that goes over their head or requires too much movement to take off can interrupt their sleep.
Depending on where you’re coming from (a lot of my clients are within the 20/45 minute range), it is best to either feed your baby right before you arrive at the studio, or right when you get there! For short distances, I recommend feeding once you arrive, because once they get in front of that heater, they’ll typically zonk! If you’re arriving from somewhere further than 20-30 minutes, I’d suggest feeding before you leave so they have a chance to fall asleep on the car ride over! A full belly typically means a longer sleep stretch. But don’t panic! 99% of the babies in my studio have to eat halfway through, and that is also completely normal!
I always try to suggest that parents try to keep the baby awake for about an hour before they arrive. I am a realist and do understand that this is not always possible. Putting them in a warm bath or just playing with them to keep them awake and alert almost always transitions into a full belly and a long, sleepy nap!
It is best to go into your session with a completely open mind. BABIES RUN THE SHOW! I run through the same techniques with all of the babies that come through my doors, and some absolutely love it, while others, not so much. They are all COMPLETELY different. And while one thing may work for one, the same thing will not work for another. Some babies are gassy or fussy, or need to eat a few times during the session, which is totally fine and completely normal. No two are alike. So I always like to prep parents by letting them know that sessions typically take around 2.5 hours and can go up to 4.
If you are coming with a sibling, I always suggest bringing two cars just in case. Toddlers are often known to become restless after about the first hour, and often times, one parent usually brings them out to lunch or back to their house.
Relax, enjoy, and soak in the newborn photography experience! People are often surprised at how I achieve certain poses, and it can be quite a fascinating experience if you’ve never seen it done!
Can’t wait to see you in the studio!
-XO Stephanie
