Newborn Session Prep Guide
Everything you need to know before your in-home lifestyle session.
Congratulations on the newest addition to your sweet family!! These first few days and weeks are so magical & it is such an honor to be the one to capture your little one during this time. Here are a few tips on preparing for the session that will be helpful in making it fun and stress free.
When to get in touch to Schedule the session
As soon as baby is born.
Once things settle down, please send a me an email, call, or text (whichever one is easiest) to let me know the sweet baby is here. We will then pick a day about a week out and get it in the books.
Sessions take place between 3-14 days old.
However, the BEST time is between 3-7 days after their arrival. I’ll will be moving them around and getting them into those sweet sleepy newborn poses, so we want to make sure they are sleepy enough to allow us to handle them. Somewhere around 8 days they discover stretching and they don’t usually want to be put in those scrunchy poses without a fight. Plus, they tend to be a little sleepier during the first 7 days.
Sessions are on weekends or weekdays, depending on availability, in the mornings.
Newborns are usually sleepier and more content during the mornings. Sessions will take place anytime between 9am-12pm.
Where..
This is a lifestyle session and will take place in your home. If the weather is warm enough and you are comfortable, we can take the session outdoors.
Worried because your house is mess? Don’t even stress out!! You just had a BABY!! If you didn’t have dirty dishes in the sink, dirty clothes and baby items strewn all about, I would think you're a little weird. I can work around those areas.
Great places for the shoot are somewhere with lots of natural light. Like Livingroom, the nursey, and even your bedroom.
I have some wraps, bows, and props I will bring with me. If you have any special outfits you would like to use, make sure to let me know during the session.
What do you need to do…
Open up the blinds and curtains
If you could please open all the blinds and curtains in your home prior to your session. This will help me find the best location(s) to take the pictures.
Crank up the heat
We recommend that you keep your home a bit warmer than normal during the session. (Like a toasty 80 degrees or so) Newborns are used to being all bundled up and warm & cozy. Then we come in and mess with that. Pushing up the thermostat will help guarantee to make the session flow more smoothly and help them sleep better. Crank the heat up about 30 mins before session.
Make sure baby is sleepy
Most of the images I’ll be shooting work best if the baby is in a deep sleep. I recommend that you do whatever it takes to make sure baby is nice and exhausted.
Make sure baby is “milk drunk”
A well-fed baby is a happy baby! Please feed and burp baby right before your session to ensure a happy and sleepy baby. I will also be more than happy to take as many breaks as needed to help him/her refuel. It is tough work being a model!
What should you wear?
Keep is simple. Skip the busy patterns and stick with soft, neutrals colors. And don’t worry about matching everyone. Avoid any shirts with logos or writing and neon colors.
I recommend a classic, timeless outfits that don’t take away for the sweet family moments.
If you have any questions or need some inspirations, please let shoot me a message. I would love to help.
The one last tip I have for you is to remember to relax and enjoy the session.