What To Expect From Your Custom Newborn Portrait Session
I am so excited to capture your sweet newborn. Your custom newborn session is done in the comfort of your own home. I bring a complete set up and only need one good window that has adequate natural light for the newborn photos. I often use a bed, a crib mattress, or even the couch as my portrait area. When I arrive, I walk around your home and scout out the best lit areas for family and sibling shots. I also scout for items that can be used as props. I often use the couch, bed, and nursery for photos. I know what it is like to have a newborn. Please don␣t feel like you have to clean the house before I arrive. We can easily clean up an area that we want to use for photos. If the weather is nice, we may be able to step outside for a few family shots as well. If your newborn is over 2 weeks old, he or she may not be that sleepy which makes getting the “posed” newborn shots a little harder. Don’t worry, we will still capture beautiful images of your newborn, they just may not be the sleepy images. Newborn sessions often take a lot of time, up to 3 hours, 4 if you have twins. Feel free to take this time to rest and allow me to do all the work, I love doing it.
Here are a few things that you can do to prepare for your session so that it will go as smoothly as possible.
- About 30 minutes before I am scheduled to arrive, turn the heat up in the house to 75 degrees. I know it is warm, but a warm and cozy environment is best to keep baby happy and sleepy. If it is summer and the home is warm, no need to do this. I also bring a space heater.
- About 30 minutes before I arrive, dress baby only in a diaper and swaddle baby in a blanket you would like baby photographed in. Feed baby as much as you can at this time up until my arrival. A full belly really helps baby to sleep and relax for the session. We may have to take frequent feeding breaks during the shoot, which is expected.
- Gather any props, blankets, hats or headbands, or outfits you would like baby photographed in prior to my arrival. I will do my best to use as many of your selected props and blankets as I can.
- Wardrobe for parents and siblings: I am a huge fan of natural and pure images. I say dress in neutral colors and be comfortable. Keep in mind that it will be warm in the house so dress accordingly. Newborns pee and poo a lot! Don␣t worry if they do this on my blankets. I wash all of them before each and every session and totally expect for them to get soiled. Keep this in mind while selecting blankets you would like used for the shoot as they will likely get soiled.
Feel free to e mail or call me with any questions you might have. If there are any specific ␣must have␣ shots, please let me know. Thank you and I look forward to meeting you!
