Newborn Session
When to have your shoot for best results
Newborn portraits are best done when created within the first 10 days of the baby being born. During this time, the baby is still very sleepy and we can move them and put them into all of the aroable poses that families have grown to love.
Unless you are having a scheduled c-section, you are not going to know when your baby will be born. I leave time in my schedule around your due date to ensure we can schedule your session. I tend to schedule no more than 3 sessions a week. As soon as your baby is born, have someone call us to get you on our calendar that week.
With that being said, I do get booked up well in advance but do have occasional gaps. If you haven’t booked your photography yet or you’re still thinking about it, please contact me to see if I can help you beautifully document memories for you and your family.
What to bring
Although I’ll have a range of newborn props, it is always recommended to personalise your session and I recommend you prepare the following:
- Blankets that are special to you (made by a special someone, embroidered with the baby’s name, matches nursery etc)
- Hats or booties you love
- Plain babygro(s)
- You may also want to bring some props of your own that mean a lot to you and your partner. I have had parents bring in a fireman’s hat, a doctor’s stethoscope, a legal wig and much more!
Preparing Your Baby
A well-fed baby is a happy sleepy baby. Please try and keep them awake for an hour or so prior to the start of the shoot. Then once they are fed, they should be nice and sleepy and perfect for posting into some adorable poses. Photography sessions tend to make babies hungry and you may need to feed them to put them back to sleep.
Timing
I like to leave plenty of time for extra feedings, nappy changes and bouts of general uneasiness. It may seem like a long time, but it’s important that babies are well settled and relaxed. To achieve some of the adorable poses, I sometimes have to adjust their position and settle them back to sleep for a few minutes after each change. The results will definitely be worth it!
One Last Thing
No matter what your baby does, please be assured that I am always relaxed. This session is supposed to be a special experience for you and I don’t want you to feel stressed or under pressure if the baby starts to cry. The baby can sense stress and it usually makes them cry more. If we need to take a break to feed, walk, rock, etc, we can do that. I want you to enjoy the experience of your session and this special bonding moment for your family.
If you have any questions, need some assurance or any advice at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ve photographed 100’s of babies and helped mummies and daddies achieve memorable imagery of their family and I’d love to do the same for you!