Studio Newborn Photoshoot Prep Guide

Preparing for your photoshoot

The goal is to have your baby sleep as much as possible while we are posing and capturing these precious photos.  Below are some techniques that really help us capture the most variety of poses, keeps your baby comfortable and safe and gets you out of the hot studio the fastest! 

1. Keep your baby awake for 1-2 hours before the session. Try bathing, playing with them or keeping them in only a diaper so they stay more alert. This is really important so that baby arrives ready for a nap rather than fully rested.  Even though they may normally sleep the whole time at home posing baby does wake them more than normal so being really sleepy helps us get through all the poses more quickly 
2. Plan your feedings so that your baby has not eaten for 1.5-2 hrs and does a full feed  just before leaving the house.  If you live more than 15 min away, instead plan to have a window of no feeding  2 hrs before arriving at studio and do a full feed when you arrive at the studio. Please change your babies diaper just before the last feed.  
3. Dress baby in a loose sleeper or outfit that is easy to remove without waking your baby
4. Wash baby’s face before leaving the house, especially the eye and nose area. If baby is asleep when they arrive, washing their face then wakes them so please do it before coming. This helps with editing big time!
5. Bring a soother.  Even if your baby doesn’t typically take one it provides an effective soothing option.  They will not become reliant on it when we only use for a very brief time but it definitely helps relax them when they are wiggling out of poses and satisfies the reflexive sucking movement.
6. Bring a bottle of breast milk or formula if possible.  It speeds up the feeding process and allows dad or myself to help feed.  Babies can smell momma and sometimes respond by only being happy in her arms or cluster feeding. If you are only comfortable with breast feeding that’s totally ok too.
7. Parents -if you are going to be in the photos with your baby please wear clean, ironed clothes with no sayings or graphics on them. We want your baby to shine and not be distracted when looking at the photos. Lighter colors work best and please no black.  Color coordination with all those involved in the photo is the most pleasing to the eye.

• Please trim and clean hands and nails as often we photograph baby in your hands
• The studio is kept very warm (28 degrees), so please feel free to bring a change of clothes that you can be comfortable in when not taking the family photos or dress in layers.
• It depends on how settled the baby is when you arrive as to the order the parent/family shots are taken. If there are siblings we will do the family poses at the beginning so that the other children are able to leave the studio after their participation is not needed.  If you have other family that is joining, please let me know prior to session and we will determine when they should arrive.
• The newborn session is usually is 3-4 hours long so feel free to bring along something to read/do.  Most of the session I won’t need much assistance so feel free to relax and maybe even catch a nap!
• Bring along any snacks or food you would like for yourself.  There is access to a fridge to store food in, microwave and water dispenser.
• If there is a special stuffie,  memorabilia, or outfit please let me know ahead of the session and I will do my best to incorporate if at all possible.

If you have any questions or concerns at all please reach out to me! All sessions are completely baby led so I make a plan of what we would like to get done in each session but sometimes we get more or less depending on how content your little one is and that’s totally ok! Capturing the moments whether they are sleeping, awake or crying is all part of this special time.