How to prepare for your newborn photography session


How to prepare for your newborn Photography Session. Get ready for tips and suggestions on what to do to help make things go smoothly at your session. There is no real secret to the perfect newborn session but there are many things you can do to help make things go well. 

Newborn photoshoots typically take place within the first two weeks after the baby is born, when there’s a lot going on. It’s best to plan ahead of time so you can get what you want out of your session. Prepare to be in studio for around two hours. If you show up with a fussy hungry baby then you will be spending shooting time, feeding.

Try to keep baby awake the hours before your session. Bathe baby making sure nostrils are booger free. Also be sure to wipe their eyes and remove any crust that may be on eyelashes. Do not put diaper cream on baby before your session. You would not want to see that in your portraits.

I suggest a loose tab diaper and no clothes before loading in car seat. Outfits can leave marks or indents on skin and be hard to remove. Since baby will be photographed naked, socks and Mitts are not suggested as well. Try to stay away from ribbed blankets when covering baby in the car seat.

Be sure to feed baby right before you load baby in the carseat. Even if it’s not your “scheduled” time to feed it’s important to feed right before you leave. I understand putting babies on schedules but this small change for the day and you can go back to your normal schedule after the session. It is normal for babies to eat more than regular at their session. Be sure to bring extra bottles if you are bottle feeding. The most important thing to remember is Hungry Babies will not pose. 

Remember you also need to stay calm and relaxed. Babies can sense your stress. The more relaxed you are the more relaxed baby is. If you have other children you want photographed as well discuss this with your photographer before the session. I prefer to do sibling and family images at the end of the session so everything remains calm throughout the session.

Wear neutral colors, a lot of my clients like to wear black. Be sure to avoid pin stripes and shirts with anything written on them. Don’t forget your fingernails when getting ready as they will show in the photographs as well. Be sure to also watch what you eat 24 hours leading to your session if you are breastfeeding. We don’t want baby to be fussy with an upset tummy.

The goal is for your baby to be full and content when you arrive at the studio. 

Be sure to pack

  1. Extra bottles
  2. Extra diapers
  3. A change of clothes for you just in case baby pees or poops on you. 
  4. Extra pacifier.

Sit back and relax and enjoy this special time in your life. Your baby will never be this small again, be happy you invested your time and money in this session.

www.meredithrowlen.com

205-296-7943

merirowlen@gmail.com