Newborn Prep Guide
Newborn Prep Guide
What you need to know before your little one’s newborn photo session.
Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby. I’m really happy you’ve chosen me to capture these precious and fleeting moments with your newborn. These first few weeks and months are so magical but they go by so quickly and that makes photographing it and documenting it all the more important. It is truly an honor and a privilege for me. Thank you!
I’ve put together a few tips and suggestions to help prepare for your upcoming newborn session and ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.
Before the session:
Once your baby is born and you’re both home getting some much needed rest, please send me an email or message to let me know your baby is here and so we can set a date for the session.
On the Day of the Session:
Try to stimulate and keep the baby awake for 1 hour or so before the session. This helps make baby extra sleepy for the session and that makes it easier for posing and going from one set to another easier. A warm bath is a great way to do this as well as talking and interacting with baby while keeping him or her in just their diaper.
Feed baby right before the session. A full belly makes for a happy, sleepy baby. You can plan to feed the baby while I’m getting set up. Your baby may be sleepy at all other times, but once they’re undressed and getting moved around, it’s a different story. This will help us achieve those dreamy, sleepy pictures we all love.
I like to set up wherever you have the most amount of natural light. Usually by large windows or a sliding door. I don’t need a whole lot of room just as much natural light as possible. I will ask that we turn off the air conditioner while we are doing unwrapped pictures of the baby.
If taking family and sibling photos, then we will start with those first. Once we’re finished with those photos, I ask that the siblings please leave the work area for safety reasons.
If baby will be circumcised please allow time to heal before scheduling or keep that in mind when scheduling.
If you’re breastfeeding please avoid caffeine and gassy foods 24-48 hours before the session, a gassy baby is not a happy baby and will make for a very hard session.
We can take breaks for feeding and diaper changes. I may ask that you feed the baby a little more, even if they’re not scheduled to eat yet, especially if we need the baby to get sleepy. I know it may be easier said than done, but please try not to stress when the baby gets fussy. I promise your baby is in good hands. Safety first! I’ve had a lot of training and I’m very experienced when it comes to posing and handling newborns.
Sessions can last between 2-3 hours sometimes longer if we have to take more breaks for feeding or soothing. Please don’t schedule the session on a day you have to leave for a doctor’s appointment or any other commitment.
This time is so fleeting, try to take it all in! I want you to have fun watching your new little one’s first photo session. So sit back, relax and enjoy the session. Thank you!
Newborn Photography Session things to consider
Dear parents,
I’m excited to create beautiful memories with your newborn during our photography session. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
Child Safety First: For the safety and comfort of your baby, please ensure that siblings are occupied with other activities until it's their turn for photos. Babies can be easily startled by loud noises, and our equipment and props can pose tripping hazards. If necessary, have a grandparent or another adult present to engage with and care for other children during the session. I also have really expensive camera equipment and it would not be a good day if a child dropped my camera or lenses.
Minimize Disturbances: I kindly request that you limit the use of cell phones during the session. I understand the desire to capture your own moments, but I will happily provide behind-the-scenes videos for your convenience. If you must use your phone, please do so discreetly to avoid disturbing the baby. Please be respectful of my time and whatever you do not put your phone in my shot.
Child Presence in Shots: For safety reasons, I ask that only the baby and adults involved in the photos be present in the shooting area unless children are specifically part of the shots being taken. This helps us create a focused and safe environment for your newborn.
Prepare a Designated Space: I don’t need a lot of space for setting up, I just ask that it be clutter-free and pet hair free as it can stick to my backdrops. I do not remove unwanted objects from images, so a tidy area is essential for creating the perfect shots.
Lighting Considerations: If you have specific rooms or areas in your home that you'd like to use for the photoshoot, please let me know in advance.
Pet Care: To avoid any distractions or potential safety concerns, it's essential to put pets in a separate area during the photoshoot. This ensures a calm and focused atmosphere for both your baby and our team. I’m an animal lover and we can include them in the photoshoot if you desire but it’s best if they’re not walking around the photoshoot area.
Use of personal props: I’m happy to incorporate personal props whenever they are size appropriate and safe. I’ve curated a collection of outfits that I know fit baby in a way that looks good on camera and I’m also very comfortable working with my own props and outfits. I prefer to swaddle babies for the family pictures because it is easier to pose them and looks best on camera. Sometimes newborn clothing, while really cute, can just look bulky and oversized. If you do wish to use one of your outfits/props, it will take the place of one of my sets and will not be done in addition to.
By following these guidelines, we can work together to create beautiful, lasting memories of your newborn. Thank you for your cooperation, and I look forward to capturing these precious moments with your family.
Sincerely,
Giselle, your newborn photographer.