Thank you so much for booking your newborn session with me. I am looking forward to meeting and working with your family to create memorable images. Please take a few minutes to read through the prep guide. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
GETTING BABY READY
Interact with and keep baby awake for 1-2 hours before your session to ensure he/she is good and sleepy for the session
It's recommended to dress the baby in something that is loose fitting (such as a sleeper with a zipper) with a loose diaper and no tight socks. This is to prevent any redness or creases on the baby's skin. Please avoid onesies or anything that has to be pulled off over baby’s head.
Please fully feed your baby right before leaving for the studio. You will most likely need to feed your baby during the session. I will give you space and privacy to do so. I also have a breastfeeding pillow available, if you need one. If your baby is bottle feeding, please bring extra bottles and milk (formula or breast milk). Babies work up quite the appetite being constantly moved around in the warm studio.
DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING
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 (preferably a soft one that does not leave any marks on skin). They are incredibly helpful in keeping your little one happy when moving from pose to pose. I find sessions go much smoother when parents bring a pacifier. We don't use it often. Just a few minutes here and there.
I often use blankets to wrap the baby in to keep them sleepy or warm while we are transitioning from different poses. If you have a blanket that you use often to snuggle your baby with, please bring it. I have lots of blankets we can use in case you forget one. I find having a familiar scent from home helps your little one relax.
DURING THE SESSION
My studio heat will be cranked up. The temperature will be perfect for the baby but some parents find it too hot. Feel free to wear a tank top or bring lighter clothing to the session in case you want to change after the family picture portion of the session (which is done at the beginning).
If we are taking sibling or family shots, these images are taken first. Toddlers especially have a difficult time sitting quietly through a newborn session. Generally parents find the experience much less stressful if the child leaves with a parent or grandparent for the remainder of the session. However if you need to bring your older child for the duration of the session, please plan to keep them entertained with snacks, quiet toys, books, etc.
I do my best to keep the environment of newborn sessions very calm and peaceful. The more relaxed everyone in the room is, the more relaxed the baby will be. For us this means pulling out our baby whispering skills, for parents this means relaxing and letting the photography magic happen.
Session length vary depending on which session you chose. For the baby only sessions, session length is approx 1 hour. For the family sessions this can be 2 - 2.5 hours. We are working around baby's schedule. We will be calming, changing and feeding the baby as needed.
WHAT TO WEAR
We want all of the focus of the image to be on the connection you share with your baby, rather than the clothing. Therefore, we suggest a simple plain shirt or blouse in coordinating colors (black, white, cream or grey). Mom/dad and baby shots are close up so most of what you wear will not be shown. Busy patterns and bright colors are distracting in an image.
Moms, keep make-up looking at natural as possible. Avoid using too much hairspray; soft hair photographs best with newborns. Avoid long earrings or necklaces. We want all the focus to be on you and your baby!
AFTER THE SESSION
The balance of your session will be due. No images will be shown until payment is made.
Your viewing gallery from the session will be sent out to you 24-48 hours after the session.