Tips for your newborn session
There is nothing more precious than a newborn baby. I'm a sentimental Momma myself, capturing those sweet and tiny newborn features is one of my favorite things. They grow and change so quickly. In just a matter of weeks, they go from a curled up sleepy little newborn to a pudgy little infant. Next thing you know you're planning for a first birthday cake smash!
Newborn photography can be challenging but is so rewarding.
These sessions are all about keeping the baby happy and capturing those precious memories. Here are a few tips to make your session as successful as possible.
These sessions are all about keeping the baby happy and capturing those precious memories. Here are a few tips to make your session as successful as possible.
Scheduling:
I recommend scheduling your newborn session PRIOR to your baby’s birth. I know you won't have specific dates (unless you are a scheduled c-section, then, by all means, schedule the date!) I will pencil your due date on my calendar so that I make sure to leave a time frame available in my schedule around your due date.
Then, contact me after you deliver so we can arrange a time for the session (email or even a text message is fine just make sure to let me know who you are in your text!). Newborn sessions should be scheduled in the first 30 days of life. The best time is between 3-15 days of age. This is when they are nice and sleepy still and generally happy to be curled up into adorable poses. Each baby is different and I've had great success with babies over a month.
Location:
My newborn sessions are done at Studio on Main, in Parma, MI. I will have the heat up to keep it cozy for baby and provide all of the things needed for a newborn session.
Things you can do prior to your session to help your baby be more comfortable:
- Loosen up! Please loosen your baby’s diaper and remove any clothing aside from the diaper upon arrival to the studio. This gives those little imprint marks time to disappear if we do naked poses. If you are uncomfortable with baby being naked for their photos let me know, I have plenty of ways to cover them, including outfits we can use in these poses. (If you are doing the newborn mini-session you do not need to loosen the diaper as we will keep it in the entire session.)
- Make them sleepy Posed newborn sessions work best when the baby is super sleepy. To encourage this, I recommend that you do whatever it takes to make sure baby is nice and exhausted. Give them a bath before their session or try to keep them engaged, as much as possible with a newborn! Keeping your little one awake for a bit on top of your own sleep deprivation might feel like torture, but it will be worth it in the end! Allowing them to just lay and move their arms and limbs as long as they are content doing so will help wear them out too, sometimes we may need to do this to help them fall asleep.
- Feeding A well-full belly is a happy baby! Please feed and burp baby right before our session, preferably upon arrival if you have a bit of a drive, to have our best chance at a happy, sleepy “milk-drunk” baby. I am more than happy to take a break to refill that belly anytime during our session. It is not uncommon to have to feed a baby a few times throughout a newborn session, it's all about keeping that belly full and sometimes our session just happens to fall on the day that your little one wants to cluster feed!
- Pacifiers Even if your little one doesn't normally use one or you really don't want to use a pacifier with your baby long-term, it's very helpful to have one handy on photo day. Being able to suck soothes them and helps them to settle into positions, and we can just pop it out right before we snap a photo. The Soothie brand pacifiers work great and tend to not leave little marks on their cheeks as some other types do. I do have new pacifiers available at the studio if you happen to forget to bring one.
Things to remember:
- Patience, patience, patience,
a full newborn session with me can last anywhere from 2-4 hours. My full sessions average 2.5 hours. It all depends on the baby’s mood and willingness to sleep and the types of posing we are doing. You never know what you are going to get. Try to not get upset or frustrated if your baby is not wanting to sleep or fussy, babies can pick up on the frustration. In the end, if your baby doesn't want to sleep, wide-eyed newborns take gorgeous photos too! - Keep it Calm
Relax. Feel free to take a break, take a nap, help yourself to coffee or snacks, bring a book or sit and mindlessly scroll social media without worrying about baby! Your baby is in safe hands. I don't mind and if I need you for anything I will let you know. Part of your session time may involve cuddling, feeding and diaper changes, don't get upset if your baby is having a hard time falling into a deep sleep, it happens! - Everybody poops!
Your baby may be in the buff for part of this shoot. Please don’t panic if your baby decides to use blankets (or someone) as his/her own personal potty. Please don’t feel embarrassed or worried when this happens, because they all do it. - Props
I have a large collection of baskets, blankets, knit hats, wraps, and headbands so you do not have to worry about having these things. If you have something special in mind that you've seen or just something that you love that you would like to have me use or include in your photos please let me know ahead of time so that I can do my best to work it into a pose. - Photos with Baby
My new Moms almost always balk at being in front of the camera. You just had a baby, you are beautiful, I promise. Keep it simple, solid-colored tops or just a cotton cami so that you can get those beautiful skin-to-skin pictures. By all means wear those leggings/yoga pants, if that's what is comfortable! For Dad, a short sleeve tee is best, solid color (preferably white or black, no logos).
Have a more specific question?
feel free to send an email: [email protected]
or call: 517-812-6845
© Amber Yanovich Photography