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When should we contact you to book a newborn session?
It is best to contact me sometime in your second trimester if you are interested in having a newborn session booked. This allows for me to notate your due date and to allow sufficient availability around that time frame for your session. But if you don’t, that is ok too! I do the newborn sessions during the weekdays from 10-2 so I can often fit people in. But the more advanced notice you give me, the more time I have to plan your session to make it exactly what you dream about having.
How will we know when to schedule our newborn session?
Once your baby decides to make his or her arrival, you will contact me via email or text to let me know the happy news. I will be in touch with you so that we can decide and narrow down a date for your session. The session will ideally be booked when your baby is between 7-9 days of age. I can definitely still take newborn photos up to a few weeks old, but the posing may be more swaddled on their back with eyes open. It is best that we start the session just after your baby’s feeding. I will ask that you don’t eat anything spicy the day before and that you keep the baby awake in the morning for a few hours before the session so that we have a better chance of a very sleepy baby.
At what age is the best time to schedule a newborn session?
The ideal age to schedule your newborn session is between 7-9 days. This is a very important time frame as your baby will still be sleepy, squishy, bendy, and cooperative in order to achieve the portraiture that you see in my portfolio. It is preferred to schedule the session no later than 2 weeks of age, however, there are always exceptions. The older your baby gets, the more awake and alert they will become. They will also enjoy stretching out as they realize they are not in your womb any longer and they have all the room they desire.
What can we expect during our newborn session?
I prefer to keep the baby on its normal feeding schedule. So when it’s time to feed the baby, anytime during the session, we will stop and do that. Most of the session your baby will be bare with special consideration to pose them in ways that will cover them. Because your baby will be bare, it is important that we keep their environment warm, around 80 degrees in the studio. If we are slightly uncomfortable with the temperature having clothing on, then your baby will be comfortable with no clothing. I use a Baby Shusher to keep your baby sleepy. It is very likely that we will have several potty accidents. Everything I use is washed and cleaned. It will be important to keep towels and wipes nearby and spare clothing for parents (just in case). Most of your baby’s session will partake when they are sleeping. It is during this time that I am able to move them from pose to pose, prop to prop, and position them without them moving or being disturbed. We will get a few awake shots for you as well if there is an opportunity. If you are ok with my using a pacifier (Soothie) just for the session, it often allows the baby to be calm enough for most of the poses I do.
Can I get family shots or shots with my other children?
Yes! With the upgraded session, we will take any family pictures that you wish during your session. If there is a sibling we will do those photos in the beginning. If it is a young sibling (under 10), then I will ask you to only bring them for only the first 30-60 minutes of the session, so that I can focus on your baby. Newborn sessions require a lot of patience and I can’t work peacefully if there is another child in the room as they get bored. My space is small and there is nowhere for the other children to play. Most parents will bring two cars so they can take the other children home. Please don’t bring additional people or family members like grandparents unless they are driving you as the setting I have is intimate and space limited so the less distractions the better.
How long will the session last?
Your baby will run the show and we will take several breaks for feeding and consoling. A newborn session will typically last two-three hours (longer if we did family shots) and your little one will usually do best during this amount of time. This amount of timing usually allows for a few various poses on a blanket background for the very classic and timeless portraits, 2-3 “prop” set-ups such as baskets, buckets, etc, and a few family and sibling shots. I usually take multiple shots and compositions of the different setups, which results in a gallery of about 30 images.
What should we wear for our newborn session?
For your family images, I love when my families are willing to photograph with their bare shoulders. This entails dad removing his shirt, and mom will be wrapped in fabric. Your skin, next to your brand new baby’s skin photographs so beautifully. This isn’t for everyone’s taste however, so I usually suggest solid gray, natural or soft pastel colored flowy tops with sleeves paired with blue jeans or khakis or a flowy dress for your family images. I also have a bunch of mommy dresses for borrow that look beautiful. Whatever you decide to wear, stick to a color palette (everyone the same tone or darkness) and avoid any patterns or logos. The photographs are chest up for mom and dad only. Sleeveless, long or 3/4 sleeves look best (short sleeves not so great). Solid colors will keep the attention to you rather than your clothing. Don’t forget to have a spare outfit in case of accidents! 🙂
When will our pictures be ready?
The completed session will be uploaded to a private gallery about 2 weeks after your session. I will contact you when your gallery is complete and it will remain available for one week. During this time, I will help you with your order and go over different products available to you. We will also design your birth announcements and albums during this time. Once your gallery expires, in the event of a non-order, your images will be purged. All orders are due before your gallery expires.
What about props?
You don’t need to bring anything for the baby at all! I provide all the props and do not generally accept outside props. This is because I maintain a certain style with my imaging that I create using props that are specifically selected by how well they photograph. I do make special exceptions if items are extremely sentimental (rings, military). I do not photograph any sports themed or whimsical props (animal hats, etc.). My goal is to create timeless artwork for you that you will treasure for a lifetime. I would love for you to tell me a few colors you might like me to use with the baby that you think would look good in your home. I will use mostly neutrals that I know match most homes so that your photos will always look great hanging up anywhere.
