NEWBORN SESSION PREP GUIDE
Hi! Congratulations again on your new baby! Thank you so much for allowing me the amazing and rewarding job of photographing your new little one in his/her first few days of life. Newborns are truly my passion and I consider myself truly blessed to be around these little miracles so much. Below are a few tips to prepare for your session.
For baby:
-If nursing or bottle feeding breastmilk, try to eliminate caffeine from your diet for 72 hours prior to your session.
-If bottle feeding, breastmilk or formula, please bring along a bottle if we need to feed baby during your session.
-Please feed baby about an hour prior to your session, and then that hour prior try and have some ‘awake’ time if possible, bath, let them kick with only a diaper on, tickle their toes, even letting them fuss for a little bit, etc. This will ensure those squishy, sleepy newborn pictures! I can’t stress enough that it is so important to do your best to keep them awake. Many parents come in saying “baby has been sleeping all morning, but don’t worry, they sleep SO well this time of day!” only to have baby wake up, since they will be unclothed and unswaddled.
-Dress baby in a button/zip up outfit, just ideally nothing that goes over baby’s head so if they’re sleepy when you arrive we don’t disturb them too much :)
-Please bring a nuk/pacifier (preferably the soothie pacifier the hospital provided, they won’t leave marks). Even if you haven’t used one yet or baby doesn’t seem to take to it, just for the 2-3 hours that I’m posing baby it can really help. If you don’t happen to have one, I keep unopened soothies here in the studio (as well as plenty of diapers and wipes!). However if you really prefer that we don’t use one, that is fine as well.
-I have a huge and ever growing collection of headbands, hats, bonnets, wraps, boxes, outfits and more, so no need to bring anything from home unless there is something special or important to your family that you’d like included, just let me know ahead of time (in your questionnaire is great) so I can include it in the flow of your session.
-If you haven’t yet filled out the questionnaire, please do so by clicking here. The questionnaire unfortunately doesn’t work great on a mobile device, but works great on a desktop, laptop or tablet.
-If nursing or bottle feeding breastmilk, try to eliminate caffeine from your diet for 72 hours prior to your session.
-If bottle feeding, breastmilk or formula, please bring along a bottle if we need to feed baby during your session.
-Please feed baby about an hour prior to your session, and then that hour prior try and have some ‘awake’ time if possible, bath, let them kick with only a diaper on, tickle their toes, even letting them fuss for a little bit, etc. This will ensure those squishy, sleepy newborn pictures! I can’t stress enough that it is so important to do your best to keep them awake. Many parents come in saying “baby has been sleeping all morning, but don’t worry, they sleep SO well this time of day!” only to have baby wake up, since they will be unclothed and unswaddled.
-Dress baby in a button/zip up outfit, just ideally nothing that goes over baby’s head so if they’re sleepy when you arrive we don’t disturb them too much :)
-Please bring a nuk/pacifier (preferably the soothie pacifier the hospital provided, they won’t leave marks). Even if you haven’t used one yet or baby doesn’t seem to take to it, just for the 2-3 hours that I’m posing baby it can really help. If you don’t happen to have one, I keep unopened soothies here in the studio (as well as plenty of diapers and wipes!). However if you really prefer that we don’t use one, that is fine as well.
-I have a huge and ever growing collection of headbands, hats, bonnets, wraps, boxes, outfits and more, so no need to bring anything from home unless there is something special or important to your family that you’d like included, just let me know ahead of time (in your questionnaire is great) so I can include it in the flow of your session.
-If you haven’t yet filled out the questionnaire, please do so by clicking here. The questionnaire unfortunately doesn’t work great on a mobile device, but works great on a desktop, laptop or tablet.
For you:
-The studio will be warm and toasty (80+ degrees!) so please dress in layers! I do have a client lounge area that won’t be as warm that you’re welcome to hang out in too and I promise if you fall asleep for a little cat nap, you won’t be the first parent to do so :)
-I have some beverages and snacks available while you are relaxing as well. (and some goodies for the older kiddos, too!)
-If you are planning on parent photos, a simple white or light colored top or tank will be perfect (black works, too!)! Same goes for dad. Parent photos will take place about the last 20-30 minutes of your session. I do love photographing the connection between you and your baby! Even if you don’t think you want a photo with you and your baby, please do reconsider. For the most part, parent shots are taken chest up and take just a few minutes. They are only little for a little while :) If you do decide to have parent and/or family photos, please be sure that your nails are manicured (nothing fancy, just not chipped polish ideally :)) as your hands will make their way into the photos. Also, please know that I aim to photograph using flattering angles and light to create beautiful images you will cherish.
-The studio will be warm and toasty (80+ degrees!) so please dress in layers! I do have a client lounge area that won’t be as warm that you’re welcome to hang out in too and I promise if you fall asleep for a little cat nap, you won’t be the first parent to do so :)
-I have some beverages and snacks available while you are relaxing as well. (and some goodies for the older kiddos, too!)
-If you are planning on parent photos, a simple white or light colored top or tank will be perfect (black works, too!)! Same goes for dad. Parent photos will take place about the last 20-30 minutes of your session. I do love photographing the connection between you and your baby! Even if you don’t think you want a photo with you and your baby, please do reconsider. For the most part, parent shots are taken chest up and take just a few minutes. They are only little for a little while :) If you do decide to have parent and/or family photos, please be sure that your nails are manicured (nothing fancy, just not chipped polish ideally :)) as your hands will make their way into the photos. Also, please know that I aim to photograph using flattering angles and light to create beautiful images you will cherish.
For siblings:
-I typically photograph siblings (and parents) at the end of the photo session, about 1.5 hours into the session. It works best for siblings to arrive then, vs staying for the entire session, but I can accommodate your family’s needs. Again I do have a separate room available for the kiddos and family to hang out in until it’s their time to shine. For mini sessions specifically, family is invited to come for the entire session, depending on baby’s sleepy status, we may start with sibling/parent poses or even in the middle.
-Just like for you, simple is better for clothing! I will wrap baby up in a coordinating color to look best with the family.
-I typically photograph siblings (and parents) at the end of the photo session, about 1.5 hours into the session. It works best for siblings to arrive then, vs staying for the entire session, but I can accommodate your family’s needs. Again I do have a separate room available for the kiddos and family to hang out in until it’s their time to shine. For mini sessions specifically, family is invited to come for the entire session, depending on baby’s sleepy status, we may start with sibling/parent poses or even in the middle.
-Just like for you, simple is better for clothing! I will wrap baby up in a coordinating color to look best with the family.
My home studio is located in Nixa, MO. I am an on-location photographer and most of my work is done in the great outdoors. Who says you can’t take a new baby outside, too? I have found that many babies tend to sleep more easily outside on a warm day than they would indoors in a studio setting!
-Bathroom is available, just note, they’re not as cute as my home studio :) It is my hope that you come to the studio feeling comfortable and at home or outdoors. I am truly honored to be able to document this incredible time in your lives and look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby!
Diane
-Bathroom is available, just note, they’re not as cute as my home studio :) It is my hope that you come to the studio feeling comfortable and at home or outdoors. I am truly honored to be able to document this incredible time in your lives and look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby!
Diane
