Newborns are best photographed within the first 2 weeks (5-10 days old is best). Sessions can take anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on the baby, so be sure to allow plenty of time. Please let me know ahead of time if you have any special requests for the session and I will do my best to accommodate them.
PREPARING YOUR HOME:
Before I arrive, I’ll need you to locate the space in your home with the most natural light. A large north facing window is usually best. Also, you should be prepared to sweat! Babies like it hot, especially since they will be naked for most of the session – this is why I ask that you set your thermostat to 75-80 degrees just before I arrive. I also bring a space heater & heating pad with me to keep blankets and props nice & warm.
Only immediate family members should be present (mom, dad & siblings – preferably only if they are going to be in any of the shots) during the session. This eliminates any distractions to myself and baby.
PREPARING BABY:
Although all parents want a few “awake” photos of their new addition, babies are easiest to pose and photograph while they are in a deep sleep (and not to mention they look as sweet as can be). I will ask that you try and keep baby awake & hungry for a while before I arrive so that they will easily fall asleep when we are ready to start.
I will bring plenty of backgrounds, props, blankets, hats, headbands, etc. but if you have anything special that you would like to have photographed, please have everything ready for me to take a look at when I arrive. Also, please loosen babies diaper & clothes a few hours before the session to make sure that any unsightly diaper lines & creases have time to fade. Please do not worry about adding any lotion to flaky skin…it looks great on newborns and is something that you’ll want to remember!
Newborns are best photographed in their bare skin or with a simple diaper cover, headband or hat. Simple is best! While it can be tempting to dress baby in that adorable outfit that you just had to have, newborns tend to look uncomfortable and unnatural in bulky clothes. Any shots that I take of your little one in their birthday suit will be very conservative and their baby bits will always be concealed. If you are uncomfortable with naked photos, a diaper over can be used just please let me know so that I can plan my poses accordingly.
WHEN I ARRIVE:
It will look like I am moving in…literally! As you know by now, babies need a lot of stuff and it is no different when they are being photographed. I will take about 20-30 minutes to set up my things and prepare for the session. During this time, I’ll probably ask that you go ahead and feed baby to get them nice and full so they are in a deep “milk coma” before I start to photograph them. With a full belly and in a deep sleep, your baby should be ok for at least 90 minutes. Once I begin to pose and photograph, I will ask that you just sit back and watch (or use this time to catch up on some much needed sleep, a shower, a good book, etc.). If your baby starts to fuss or stir during a pose, give me a minute to try and calm them first. Babies know their mommy’s touch and smell. If you try and help while they are still in a pose, they will most likely fuss more until you pick them up again, thus starting the entire process over.
Whenever baby obviously needs a break (either to be fed, changed, cuddled, whatever) it is no big deal and we will stop for as long as needed. Actually, this is a great opportunity for me to get some great interaction shots of mommy & daddy with the baby! In some cases, this may be all we get if baby is just not in the mood to be photographed. If the later happens, I will work with you to find a time to reschedule as soon as possible.
