How to Prepare For Your Newborn Session
One of the most frequently asked questions I get from my newborn clients is:
“How Should I Prepare for My Newborn Session?”
The wonderful thing about booking a newborn session in the studio with me is, there isn’t a whole lot you have to do to prepare! I provide the clean, pretty studio location that photographs beautifully. And I provide all of the props, backdrops, and newborn wraps for your baby.
I know how sleep deprived you are during those first days and weeks after having a baby. I also know you may feel very overwhelmed. The last thing you should be worrying about is if your house is spotless for pictures, or if you need to buy a bunch of outfits and props to use for your baby’s photos. I want you to be able to just focus on enjoying your new baby and family. Let me worry about the details and ensuring you have beautiful, priceless photographs to remember this special time.
There’s really only a few simple things that you need to do.
How To Prepare For your Newborn Session:
1. if you are doing family or sibling photos, get your outfits together.
I recommend doing this step before your baby arrives, that way it’s all ready to go. Then you won’t have to stress about it once your baby is here and you are busy!
For colors, I recommend whites, creams, greys, black, clothing with texture, light patterns, and solid colors. These photograph beautifully and will remain timeless. Pops of color mixed with neutrals also looks beautiful. Avoid big, busy patterns and clothing with logos. Moms, I recommend making sure your nails are freshly painted, or to remove old nail polish completely.
For family photos, I typically wrap the baby with one of my wraps as it keeps them nice and content. However if you want to bring an outfit for them to wear instead, that’s fine too! I recommend a onesie, a newborn gown, or a romper.
Make sure outfits are clean, ironed if needed, and ready the day before.
2. dress your baby.
Please remove all bandaids from your baby prior to your session. For posed newborn sessions, dress baby in a loose outfit that zips or snaps up the front, that way we don’t have to pull anything over their head and startle them too much.
If you have booked a lifestyle newborn session or want your baby in an outfit for family photos added to a posed newborn session, please wait to dress your baby in it until you arrive to the studio. That way we can make sure it stays nice and clean during the car ride.
If you are looking for newborn outfits, here are a few places I recommend!
3. Pack your diaper bag.
You will need:
- At least 3 extra diapers. Sometimes newborns poop a lot. Having extra diapers on hand is a necessity.
- Burp cloth.
- Formula or pumped milk if you are bottle feeding, or if feel like you need extra to supplement your breast feeding. We want your baby to be nice and full and content for the session. Bringing along extra milk to feed your baby just in case we need it is always a great idea. Be prepared to feed your baby once or twice during the session.
- A pacifier. Even if your baby doesn’t typically use a pacifier, I ask that you bring one as they serve as a wonderful distraction for the baby during the session. They are incredibly helpful in keeping your little one happy when moving from pose to pose or during those cluster feeding days.
4. If you have other children, talk to them and get them excited about pictures.
- Talk to your children before your session and get them excited about pictures. Have them practice smiling 🙂
- Have snacks or treats on hand during the session if you feel that would help your child. Please bring snacks that won’t stain their mouth/fingers and that aren’t messy.
- Bring your child’s favorite toy or other props if they need special help staying focused. This is especially helpful for toddlers in the 1-3 age range.
5. Put the address to the studio into your phone.
Once your session date is scheduled and approaching, I will send you a newborn session prep guide email with the studio address and gps directions. I recommend putting this into your phone the night before the session. That way you can see exactly how long it will take you to get to the studio.
6. If you live 30 minutes or less away from the studio, feed your baby right before leaving your home.
If you live more than 30 minutes away from the studio, we will have you feed baby as soon as you arrive to the studio, before we start the session. Also be prepared to possibly feed again during the session, or right after the session if needed.
That’s it!
There’s really not too much you need to worry about doing for your session. Once you arrive to the studio, I’ll direct you on exactly what I need you to do. I want you to be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the session and your sweet baby.
Are you interested in booking a newborn session and haven’t booked yet? I’d love to work with you! For newborn session information and pricing, please click here.
