Do you want professionally photographed memories of your baby’s first weeks?
Having your newborn professionally photographed is one of the best things you can do. However…
There are a few things you should do beforehand to help your baby be ready for the session.
Here’s the good news.
If you follow a few simple steps leading up to your newborn photo session, your photographer will be able to create gorgeous, detail-oriented photos of your precious little one.
Table of Contents
- Why Timing Is Important For Newborn Photography
- Getting Your Baby Ready The Day Before
- Things to Bring to your Studio Session
- Helping Baby Stay Calm During the Photo Session
- What Parents Should Wear
- Managing Your Expectations
- Bringing It All Together
Why Timing Is Important For Newborn Photography
When you book your newborn photography session is crucial to the outcome.
Here’s why:
Photographers generally recommend booking your newborn session within 14 days of birth. During the first two weeks, babies tend to sleep more and be less aware of their surroundings. It also makes curling them up into little balls much easier.
As babies reach the two-week mark, they wake up more and become less flexible. A baby’s sleep cycle changes, and they won’t curl up on their own like they did when they were newborn.
When you book your session with a professional newborn photography studio, talk about the best time to schedule your appointment. Many photographers will pencil you in for a date close to your due date. Once your baby is born, you can always change the date of your session.
Keep in mind, newborn babies sleep a lot.
According to Stanford Medicine, newborns sleep an average of 16-17 hours a day. This is ideal for newborn photographers because a sleepy baby is easier to position.
Getting Your Baby Ready The Day Before
It’s important to prepare even before you step foot into a studio.
These are a few tips to help ensure you are ready:
- Try to keep your baby awake for the hour leading up to your appointment. When you arrive at the studio, your baby will likely take a long nap, allowing the photographer to capture those perfect shots.
- About 30 minutes before you leave the house, loosen any tight-fitting diapers/clothes. You don’t want red marks or indentations showing up in your baby’s photos.
- Feed the baby before or once you arrive at the studio. A happy, full belly will keep your baby content.
Preparing the night before is also important. Try to get as much sleep as you can the night before your appointment. Tired parents = stressed-out parents, which can lead to a more stressful session.
Don’t worry about having a perfect newborn.
Experienced newborn photographers have seen it all and know how to handle a fussy baby. Your photographer will slow down and work at your newborn’s pace.
Things to Bring to your Studio Session
Knowing what to bring with you to your session can save you a headache.
Here’s a list of some things you should bring:
- Pack extra diapers. You will be changing babies often, so bring at least 6-8 diapers.
- Pack wipes and diaper changing supplies.
- Bring 2-3 baby outfits. You will be changing babies often due to diaper changes and messed-up outfits.
- If your baby takes a pacifier, bring it. It never hurts to have it on hand.
- If you plan to bottle feed, bring enough formula or expressed milk.
- Bring a blanket from home. Most studios will have blankets, but parents enjoy ones from home being in photos as well.
- Don’t forget to pack a change of clothes for yourself.
Pro-tip…
Pack a white noise machine or have a white noise sound downloaded on your phone. Most newborn babies love the sound because it sounds like the mothers womb. White noise helps babies adjust to their new surroundings more quickly.
Parents also like to bring sentimental items they want photographed with their baby. Baby’s first toy, family heirlooms, and baby blankets are great items to bring and have photographed with your newborn.
Helping Baby Stay Calm During the Photo Shoot
Even with all of the above preparation, babies are still prone to crying.
Don’t stress, this is normal.
Most newborn photo sessions last between 2 and 3 hours. This includes time for feeding, rocking the baby back to sleep, and diaper changes. The actual time spent taking photos is in between all of these things.
A few things you can do to help keep the baby calm:
- Stay warm. Newborn studios are typically kept warmer than normal because babies like it that way. Human bodies are used to the warm temperature of the womb. Dress in layers because it may get hot in there.
- If your baby is fussy, spend some time skin-to-skin. Having a baby lie on your bare chest helps slow their heart rate down and can calm them.
- Relax and let your photographer do their job. Photography professionals know how to handle a fussy baby and have decades of patience. They will use age-old techniques to help soothe your baby.
Remember, these pictures take time. Some of the best shots will come after the baby has fallen asleep for the second or third time.
What Parents Should Wear
Parents get so caught up in preparing babies for their session that they forget about themselves.
Simple and plain is best.
Neutral colors and plain tones photograph best on parents. Avoid busy logos, large areas of bold color, and distracting patterns.
Remember to wear comfy clothes. Loose-fitting shirts are best, especially for mothers who may want to nurse during the session. Wear layers because it can get warm there.
One thing parents may not consider…
According to recent data, 68% of families are requesting multi-generational pictures be included in their newborn sessions. If you plan on having any family members in your newborn photos, such as siblings or grandparents, make sure to ask them to dress nicely as well.
You don’t want your wardrobe to distract from your baby or look dated in a few years.
Managing Your Expectations
Every newborn session doesn’t go as planned.
And that’s perfectly fine.
Some babies sleep the entire time. While other babies may need several breaks and lots of rocking. Both situations will yield amazing results when working with the right photographer.
Here is what you can expect during your newborn session:
- You will be changing babies’ outfits several times
- You will likely change baby’s pose several times
- Baby will need breaks to eat
- Patience and understanding from you and your photographer
- 15-30 edited photos from your session
Your newborn session will be whatever you make of it. Trust your photographer; they have probably photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of newborn babies.
Bringing It All Together
Preparing your baby for their newborn photo session doesn’t need to be stressful.
Let’s review:
- Book your session within the first two weeks of your baby’s life
- Allow the baby to stay awake before your session, so they will sleep at the studio
- Bring all baby supplies you may need, including diapers, feeding supplies, and outfits
- Dress yourself and any family/friends that will be in the photosin neutral colors and keep it simple
- Relax and let your photographer do their job.
The first two weeks with a new baby are tough. But your baby will never be that tiny and cute forever.
Make sure to take your baby’s first weeks seriously and book a professional newborn session. You will thank yourself later when you look back on your baby’s newborn photos.
Your baby’s newborn days will pass by before you know it.
