Congratulations to you!!! Thank you for allowing me the amazing and rewarding job of photographing your new baby in his/her first few days/weeks of life. I am truly honored to be able to capture this incredible time in your lives and look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby!

This newborn session guide will help you prepare for your newborn session.

WHAT TO EXPECT

For the baby, clean away flaky skin and eye boogers with a wash cloth. Trim those tiny fingernails and toenails with baby trimmers.

If your baby has any band-aids on the foot, thigh, etc., please remove them as soon as you possibly can to allow the imprint marks to disappear.

Do not change the baby’s diet the day before or during the session. Continue to feed your baby how you normally do (breast-feed, formula-feed, or both). Bring plenty of bottles! Your baby will need to eat more often during the session than they normally do. Do not make any sudden changes to the baby’s diet that may contribute to fussiness.

Before the shoot, I will text you when I’m on my way to your home. Please plan on feeding baby at that time so he/she is hopefully nice and sleepy when I arrive.

Be sure to burp baby really well after the feeding. Gas can make a sleepy, happy baby into an uncomfortable one in seconds. I always recommend bringing some gripe water just in case. New moms, if you’ve never heard of this, check it out, it’s a life saver sometimes for hiccups and gas!

AT THE SESSION

Be patient. If your baby is fussy or alert, do not stress out. Your newborn can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. We will try and get them comfortable again, but if that does not seem possible, we will take a break or may even reschedule (at the photographer’s discretion). Keep in mind some of the best photos are when baby is awake and alert so don’t worry if your baby doesn’t sleep through he session!

WARDROBE

Nothing is the best wardrobe for a newborn. No outfit fits a newborn well and they often look swallowed in clothes. Accessories are good though– little hats, dainty headbands, etc. I will bring props/wraps and accessories but if you have anything you want them photographed in, please have it ready and shoot me a photo of it before hand so I can plan and coordinate.

FOR MOM AND DAD

Photographing the connection between you and your baby is one of my favorite things. Just as they encourage in the hospital or at home birth, skin to skin contact creates the most beautiful images.

Mom: A subtle application of makeup can soften your skin and accent your facial features. Neutral looking fake lashes can really flatter your eyes.

You are welcome to wear your own snug-fitting tank tops. Keep the color neutral and design simple. Be sure your nails are tidy and clean (no nail polish) as your hands will make their way into the images. Also, rest assured, I aim to photograph using flattering angles and lighting to bring out the natural beauty in you and your family.

Dad: Be freshly shaved with a new razor, shaving cream and moisturizing after-shave lotion to avoid bumps and redness. Trim your beard, sideburns, mustache or goatee. Look especially for wiry stray hairs. Make sure your nails are clean and trimmed.

SIBLINGS

Including older brother/sister(s) in your newborn’s portrait is the perfect way to document this fleeting time in your lives.

Clean, clean, clean- clean nails, clean hair, clean feet, fresh scrub teeth, and wipe away eye boogers and snotty noses. The cleaner the child, the better their photos will turn out. If your child is still of napping age, make sure they nap before the shoot.

It is perfectly okay to bring bribes to a photo-shoot–some cereal, snacks or candies that won’t stain their teeth. Avoid colorful drinks or lollipops within 24 hours of your shoot. Do not let them eat or drink anything will stain their cheeks, mouths or teeth.

These tips in this Newborn Session Guide will help you prepare for your newborn shoot and ensure that your session runs smoothly so we can focus on capturing your newborn baby’s portraits.

See you soon!

Ryan