Preparing for Newborn Photos

You don't know what day it is and can’t remember the last time you showered - welcome to the wonderful world of having a newborn! The days are hazy, blissful, and oh so tiring but I promise, you will look back on them fondly (once you’re sleeping through the night again!). No matter how hard we try to commit to memory all the details of these newborn days - they inevitably slip away over time - little hands, wrinkly feet, big yawns, and sleepy smiles. If you decided to book newborn photos (great choice!!), below are my tips for preparing you, your baby, and your home.

Preparing You

You, your body, and your mind have been through so much over the past year - you brought new life into the world!

Be kind to yourself and remember that no matter how you’re feeling in the moment, your future self will thank you for capturing photos of this beautiful, messy season of life (trust me). When deciding on what to wear, choose something you feel comfortable and confident in. Bring on the smocked dresses, oversized sweaters, and button down shirts! Neutral colors and warm tones always photograph beautifully and compliment any skin tone. It’s probably been a while since you put on some makeup or styled your hair, so give yourself some extra time to get ready. It can be helpful to have someone over to watch the baby while you and your family shower and get dressed.

Preparing Your Baby

As a mom of two, I’ve seen it all and remember the newborn days vividly. There are 3 things that can be helpful when preparing your baby for photos - Feed, Swaddle, Soothe.

Feed

Offer a feeding 15 minutes before your session is scheduled to start. This will ensure your baby is content and may even encourage them to drift off to sleep. Sometimes, the feedings don’t quite line up the way we hope - no worries! We can take feeding breaks at ANY point throughout the session.

Swaddle

I recommend starting the session in whatever outfit(s) you would like your baby photographed in, especially if he or she is happy and content! When babies start to fuss, this is when I recommend to bust out the swaddle. It usually soothes them and also makes for some beautiful close up images.

Soothe

Please soothe your baby as often as he or she needs it. This could be taking a break from photos all together to offer a feeding, a pacifier, a walk around the house. Soothing also makes for sweet, candid photos. Whether you’re rocking in a chair, swaying to a lullaby, or showering them with kisses - don’t hesitate to get in there and do whatever your baby needs to feel comforted and content.

Preparing Your Home

In-home sessions are my absolute favorite. The last thing you want to do when you have a new baby, is to load them into the car and pack the diaper bag.

Taking your photos at home will ensure max comfort for you and your baby. But wait? You just had A BABY! You probably haven’t even finished unpacking your hospital bag, let alone cleaned your house! This is very normal and I promise you, your photographer does NOT expect your home to look like it’s in a magazine.

All you need to remember are the 4 “L’s” - Look, Location, Lighting, Layout

Look

What vibe do you want for your photos? Spend some time on Pinterest and gather some inspiration from other in-home sessions you admire - bonus points if you share them with me! When deciding on a look, you’ll want to consider the decor and style of your home and select outfits and colors that will be complimentary. Still not sure what to wear? Check out my blog post on this topic here.

Location

Choose 2-3 places in your home for photos - that’s all you need! Do a quick scan of the spaces and remove any items you don’t want in photos and declutter, if necessary. Some common places for in-home photos are the nursery, master bedroom, and/or living room. When decluttering, look for things like baby swings, water bottles, diaper caddies, sound machines, monitors, remotes, and other electronic devices.

Lighting

Lighting is the most critical component of beautiful, in-home photos. Ideally, the spaces you choose for photos should have at least one large window. We’ll use the natural light it provides to capture soft, dreamy images. You may find that I turn off over head lights and open the curtains or blinds to ensure as much natural light as possible is filling up the space.

Layout

Layout is something we will adjust together throughout the session. I may move ask if I can move small furniture or relocate you to different parts of the space in order to improve the composition of the shot or find the best lighting. An example of this could asking you to sit on the floor, below a window in the nursery. This might not be a spot where you normally hang out, but this could be the perfect place to highlight your little ones tiny features.

Finally — Give Yourself Grace

The best photos are ones where you feel happy and relaxed. You just brought new life into the world! Let go of perfection and let me work my magic. Light a candle, put on some music, and focus on just enjoying your baby. You will look back on these photos one day and be so glad you have them! Give yourself grace not just during your session, but as much as you can on this journey of motherhood.