Newborn Sessions: Helpful tips and hints

Oh those lovely newborn pictures, we see them everywhere, on Pintrest, on Facebook, dr. offices, and other people's refrigerators.  When your impatiently waiting the arrival of you own precious new little baby, its is so much fun to imagine what their newborn pictures will look like. 

Most of us have a plan, colors, poses, props etc that we imagine we want used for those once in a lifetime pictures.  Some of you may even have made adorable hats and costumes.  I was not one of those momma's my kids were lucky to have pictures taken, after I have babies, I tend to hibernate and stay home for a while.

However for those of you with it enough to plan for and schedule newborn photography sessions here are some helpful hints and tips that make life much easier for you and baby, and photographer.

First and foremost COMMUNICATION!!!! It is so important to share information with your photographer, spouse and even other family members.  Be specific, I like this, I don't want this, I am bringing this... Share pictures, ideas, colors, poses, props with your photographer, even go so far as to have a sit down consultation with them prior to babies arrival!  Also communication after baby is born, because the window for true newborn sessions is so small (usually by day 10) its is important to keep the photographer in the loop when baby is born and set a time and date for the session.

Secondly, Timing, newborns are fairly sleepy by nature, so the issue of time is not necessarily for their comfort. How ever mommas, daddies, siblings and photographers do have schedules, and things that need to happen at specific times. So its important to take all those things into consideration when scheduling your session. These things can take time, up to several hours, to keep baby calm, sleepy and cozy. So plan around big sisters nap time, and school pick up. Be prepared to stay in the studio or have the photographer in your home for several hours just in case.  On the flip side, because these session do take so long its always helpful to be on time, and have baby as ready as possible.

Third Pre- Session Prep: getting your baby ready to be photographed.  Several things can be done prior to the session to help it go smoothly and get started quickly. Feed your little one half an hour or so prior to the session so they have full tummies and are sleepy, remove any tight fitting clothing for example socks waistbands mittens half an hour before the session, to eliminate any pressure marks on babies skin.  Lastly I always as mommas to pack the bag of hats, blankets, props when they pack their hospital bag, to eliminate any confusion after baby is born. You can stick it in a closet and bam, it's ready to go when your ready for the session. 

Lastly, newborn sessions are delicate in nature, they require slow movements, some what quiet surroundings and the focus of the photographer and momma or dad on the baby. So it is generally advised to limit the number of people at the session and to try and keep things a little on the quiet side. Most times when I have a newborn session I ask mom to stay close for two reasons, one to catch baby is they slip or slide or jerk themselves in to a precarious position, and secondly to talk to baby, and keep them soothed and calm.  

I hope all you mommas to be enjoyed this little tip sheet on preparing for your newborns first photo session. Please feel free to message me questions and to schedule your own newborn session.  Here are a few outtakes from some of my most recent newborn sessions. Enjoy!