Attention Moms: Preparing For Your Newborn Photography Session
They are tiny. They are fragile. They poop. They pee. They cry. When your sweet little one is so very new, they are unpredictable.
I have prepped this post to ease any fears you are having about what to expect for your baby’s newborn session.
Book session. THEN have baby: It’s best to plan ahead and book your session prior to the baby being born. For best cooperation from your baby, you want your session to take place 8-10 days after the baby is born. This requires planning ahead and getting a date set in advance.
Why so soon: When the baby is newer, they sleep more and are more accepting of being molded into different positions. The 8-10 days after birth timeline also allows you to avoid baby acne [which typically develops 3-4 weeks after birth].
How is Mom feeling: Yes, booking early is encouraged, however, Mom, make sure YOU are feeling up to it. The session is a time to celebrate and rejoice the miracle of childbirth. You want to be able to enjoy every aspect of watching and participating in the session.
Who will be handling the baby: Don’t be caught off guard if I swoop the baby into my hands to rock and hold for a couple of minutes before I even start photographing. I am familiarizing the baby with my touch, my voice, and my smell.
Pee, poop, & boobies: Know that peeing, pooping, crying, napping, breast or bottle feeding, and spitting up are absolutely normal [even expected]. I am used to this and will not wince upon any of it happening. Therefore, you should not feel bad about it happening. Yes, let me repeat that; your baby WILL cry.
Tears of… Getting emotional during the session is completely normal. Let’s face it, your hormones are going crazy with changes. I encourage you to embrace and enjoy the session; emotions come what may.
Comfort items: Prep and bring a comfort item or two [babies are quick to find comfort in softness, smells, and sounds]. These items may help sooth during a difficult time.
Together, we keep it simple. Don’t overpower the baby with extreme props and outfits. I plan and aim for a lifestyle session. 20 years from now, I want you to be able to look back on photos that are still timeless and filled with emotion, not fluffy out of style props.
Choosing outfits: In case of an unexpected and epic meltdown, always start with the outfit you are most excited about. This way, if we only get to 1 outfit, not all is lost. And yes, you can consider [naked baby] or [just diaper] an outfit.
Empty Belly? Have the baby hungry at the start of the session. This gives me an opportunity to photograph the baby awake and alert [and then hopefully sleeping upon feeding].
Mommy Time: It’s OK if baby needs mommy time. I will have new smells and sounds to me. In a difficult moment, the baby might just need some mommy time.
It Might Take Time: I reassure you that the photos you see posted online always make it appear as though the baby slept perfectly the entire time. This is never the case. Sometimes it takes hours before we get what we want. And that is OK.
Too Adorable Not To Hang On The Wall: Do some thinking and planning prior to the session on where you want to hang your wall portraits.
And that’s all folks. I hope that you are able to fully enjoy your newborn session for the blessing and miracle that it is.
