Studio Newborn Session Prep Guide

www.daninafotografia.com

Why schedule a newborn photo session?

Newborn photography captures a special time in a baby's life that can never be replicated. It's a time when they're changing and growing so rapidly, and every day is a new adventure.

A new baby marks the beginnings of all things – wonder, hope and a beautiful dream of possibilities.

My job as a newborn photographer has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life. I truly enjoy getting to know families during this pivotal time in their lives, and capturing the precious details of their beautiful, new miracle.

What you need to know before your little baby’s studio photo shoot.

When to Get in Touch to Schedule the Session:

Photographing newborns is one of the hardest types of portrait sessions. This is because a newborn photo session requires a lot of patience, knowledge, and time. Those early newborn days when my daughter was born are such a fog to me now. But I’ll never forget the day we took her newborn photos. She was 2 days old. It’s almost five years later and those newborn photos are some of my favorite photos we have. Her sweet tiny toes and her little features takes me back to those newborn days that are such a distant memory in my mind.

Newborn sessions take place as soon as the first week after birth. The best time to photograph a newborn is within the first 10 days of birth. This ensures that the baby still has all the newborn features that change after the initial 10 days of life. Once things settle down, please send me an email or call (or text whatever method you prefer) to let me know your sweet newborn is here so we can get a spot reserved for them in the studio!
Sessions take place between 2 and 20 days old. The sooner you can let me know baby has arrived, the sooner we can make sure you have some date options to choose from during the 2–20-day age range.
Sessions are on weekday mornings. Newborns are most sleepy & content earlier in the day. Depending on the day, sessions can start between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Because my weekends fill up with other types of sessions months in advance, newborn sessions are on weekday mornings unless I happen to have a rare Saturday morning opening.
Let me know if there is a certain set up or prop you would love me to use. Feel free to take a look at my website, Facebook or Instagram account & if you see something you want us to try, shoot me an email so I can have it ready.

On the Day of the Session:

Stimulate & keep baby awake for an hour or so before the session. This helps make babe extra sleepy for the session & when baby can get in a deeper sleep, it makes posing & going from one set to another easier. A warm bath is a great way to do this as well as talking & interacting with baby while keeping he or she in just their diaper.
Feed baby right before the session. A full belly makes for a happy, sleepy baby. Feel free to come a little early to the studio to feed baby right before, especially if you have a longer car ride. Also, feeding baby as much as possible in the 12 hours leading up to the session will allow for baby to sleep as deeply and as long as possible.
I recommend being able to have your older children leave once their photos are finished. I do family & siblings first. Sessions can last anywhere from 2-3 hours which can be a long time for siblings to wait, especially when the studio needs to be somewhat quiet. Have Dad drive separate, or Grandma meet at the studio to take siblings.
If you are okay with baby using one, bring a pacifier, even if baby doesn’t seem to take to it. Sucking is a soothing mechanism & can really help with settling baby once I have them in place for photos, even if I have to hold the pacifier for a bit to help.
The studio will be warm. Baby’s like being warm and having the heat cranked up (no matter the time of year), helps babe stay settled and sleepy. You are more than welcome to bring drinks and a change of clothes to change out of if you think you’ll get hot.

There is no need to bring anything for baby to wear. I provide all the wraps, headbands, hats, clothes & props. Unless there is something special you want to bring for your newborn’s photos, don’t worry about outfits. If there is something special you want to bring, be sure to let me know so I can work a set around it.
Keep in mind that the photoshoot may take between 1 to 2 hours. We have to take several breaks to feed, change diaper change outfit and props so it takes time and then get the newborn back to sleep. When baby needs a break, we’ll take a break. Don’t stress if baby gets fussy. If baby needs to stop we stop! Most infants need to eat at least once during their session. It’s hard work for them as well:)

What to Wear