Welcoming a new life into this world is something so many families dream of. You spend nine months growing a tiny human inside of you, and when they finally make their arrival, you want to make sure you remember them at that stage forever. The best way to do that? A newborn session!
Newborn photography is a great way to remember your little ones at the earliest stages of their lives, while also bringing the joy of their beauty to your friends and family! Are you looking for a newborn photographer in the greater Houston area? I want to formally invite you to my League City newborn photography studio where we can create unforgettable images of your newborn baby! To get ready for our session together, here are some of my top tips for newborn photoshoots!
- No big naps before your session
Your newborn baby spends more time sleeping than they do awake. However, even babies who normally sleep all day will do their best to stay awake for their newborn session. Think about it, at home they’re either being held or lying quietly in bed to nap – it’s pretty much the same routine day to day. Here, it’s interesting! We are moving them and dressing them and putting them into those cute sleepy newborn poses. Of course, it’s tempting to try to stay awake and see what’s going on.
So while typically, you get excited about them sleeping extra and having a regular routine, when it comes to preparing for a newborn photography session, the last thing you want to do is let your baby sleep for hours on end beforehand. I recommend a period of awake, interactive time (whatever is normal for your baby), followed by a good full feeding and then heading out the door to your session. Napping in the car on the way to the studio is normal and expected.
It’s a balance – just as we don’t want baby showing up for their newborn session fresh off a three-hour nap, we don’t want them overstimulated and exhausted from being kept awake too long. Both those scenarios make it super difficult to get them to sleep, which makes for a longer and possibly less successful session. Don’t worry about it too much, just do your best to encourage a natural wake/sleep pattern rhythm the morning of the session and your session will go great!
2. Feed baby right before the session, and bring extra milk
In addition to making sure they don’t sleep before their session, you will want to make sure your newborn is full before their session. Why is that? Newborns basically sleep and eat, and when they don’t eat, they get cranky. If your baby is full before their session, there will be less crying, less fighting, and they will be a lot sleepier, making it easier to pose them and work with them.
It’s best to give baby a good full feeding before you leave for the studio, and also bring extra milk. Expect your baby to want to eat more frequently than during a similar period of time at home. Being a model is hungry work! We are moving them around during the session, which burns extra calories even though they may be sleeping at the time.
I ask that parents bring two extra bottles of breastmilk or formula for snacks during the session. If exclusively breastfeeding, be prepared to feed baby at least once during the session and possibly twice. If you’re modest, don’t worry – I have a comfortable private room for breastfeeding.
3. Don’t worry about bringing anything, except maybe a special family heirloom to photograph with baby
I have absolutely everything needed for your newborn session, from wraps to props to little outfits and much more. I even have a client closet with dresses for moms and big sisters. If you’d like to, you’re welcome to bring an item like Grandma’s quilt, or your wedding veil, or a special stuffed animal to incorporate into the session. We’ll talk before your session to plan everything out, so by the time the big day comes you’ll feel perfectly comfortable to just show up and relax. Finally, you could bring baby’s pacifier if they have a favorite. Not all babies use one, and if you request your baby not have one I won’t use. However if you don’t mind baby using one and just forget yours, I have individually wrapped pacis from Jolly Pop that most babies love. Here’s a link to the ones I use: https://www.jollypop.com/
4. Relax and enjoy!
I know how hard it can be as a new mom to just sit back and let someone else hold your baby, so I want to reassure you that they are in the best of hands. I’ve photographed hundreds of babies over the last nine years, and I have extensive training in newborn safety and posing. They don’t call me the baby whisperer for nothing!
You are welcome to sit and watch, right there in the room where I’m photographing baby. I also have a comfortable client lounge just across the hallway where parents are welcome to hang out and enjoy a little quiet time to themselves. Most people end up going back and forth throughout the session. Many dads, and quite a few moms, have taken the opportunity to nap on my couch!
Are you gearing up to bring new life into this world, and ready to schedule your newborn photography session? It’s time for us to chat! Contact me today to see how we can work together!
2021
