I LOVE spending time with newborn babies. Before I became a full-time momma/part-time photographer, I was planning on specializing in newborn care as a nurse. I did my senior practicum in a family birth unit, and I knew from that point that working with babies was my passion.
I've compiled a list of my top 10 tips that you may want to keep in mind when you're getting ready for your newborn photo session. Some of them might be obvious, but sometimes the obvious escapes our sleep deprived minds!
My "Top 10 Tips" to consider when planning your in-home newborn lifestyle session:
1. Feed. Many parents want their babies to be wide awake for photos, but the sessions actually go much smoother with a well-fed, drowsy baby! Milk comas are completely acceptable, and dare I say encouraged, during a newborn photo session.
2. Time. Plan on having your newborn session once your baby is about a week old, and preferably no older than two weeks. Contact your photographer (I know a gal) at least one month before your due date to get on the schedule, realizing that babies tend to come in their own time, so planning an exact day for the session may be difficult. On the day of your session, give yourself plenty of time to get ready, and don't plan on going anywhere immediately after. Between frequent feedings, diaper changes, and periods of soothing, it is likely that the session will take over an hour. Plan accordingly, and don't try to squeeze it in to a busy morning!
3. Warmth. Make sure the room is warm so that your little one doesn't get cold! Being cold can cause your baby's skin to have a mottled appearance. We want these babes to look as warm and pink as possible!
4. Light. Choose one or two rooms in the house that have the most natural light. It is helpful to have a bed, a chair, or a couch to sit on. Usually your bedroom and the baby's nursery will have good windows, but it could even be a living area if the bedroom windows are small. The more windows, the better!
5. Cleaning. You don't need to clean your whole house for this- but ask for some help in removing some of the clutter and piles of laundry that might be in your bedroom or the baby's room. It doesn't even have to be put away- just move it out of sight for the duration of the shoot.
6. Outfits and Props. Solid colored onesies or outfits typically look best, but you can choose an outfit with a simple pattern! Try to choose outfits that aren't too busy. Neutral or solid colored blankets and pillows make great additions to photos to help the environment look soft, which is what we want for these newborn photos! Add texture (puffy knits, faux "fur," lace, or gauzy wraps). Throw in a headband or tiny hat.
7. Siblings. Having a new baby can be tough on older siblings. They often feel like they have to compete for attention, which sometimes prompts them to goof off during the photo session. Plan on starting the session with sibling shots, then moving into the whole family groupings. Have a small special reward (a little marshmallow, for example) on hand to give the kids for following directions throughout the shoot, and maybe the promise of a bigger "treat" at the end if they are good listeners (doesn't have to be dessert- could be going out to dinner at their favorite restaurant or a movie night). Have patience with them. And remember to keep your expectations low! We will probably be able to capture some interactions with the new baby, but it might not always be the perfectly posed interactions you see on Pinterest boards or Instagram.
8. Mamas. Your body has gone through the INCREDIBLE process of growing and housing a human for the past 9 months! It's been through a lot, and recovery takes months to years. Unless your body just magically snapped back into the shape it was before you were pregnant, plan on wearing something that fit you during your second or third trimester of pregnancy. If you want to treat yourself with a new dress or outfit, order a size larger than your pre-pregnancy size to make sure it fits well around your chest and tummy. I will do my best to position you in ways that are flattering, but wearing something forgiving can help you feel more confident if you are feeling a little conscious about your postpartum body. If you are breastfeeding, having a nursing-friendly outfit would be helpful in case your baby needs a snack during the session. Which, let's be real, will undoubtably happen. You can also have a bottle ready if that makes you more comfortable!
9. Crying babies. Almost 100% of the time, there will be a period where your newborn gets a little bit fussy. Have a pacifier on hand if your baby will take one. We will probably play around with taking the pacifier out for some photos. Or, if you have a cute pacifier that looks like an accessory, we can even keep it in and let them suck! Plan on multiple feedings to keep them nice and happy.
10. Relax. I know. That sounds impossible. But I want you to try and soak in every little detail of your newborn as much as you can. Unless this is your first baby, you probably won't have too much time set aside to just stare at your baby and look over every precious feature. But your photo session is the perfect time for doing this. Stare into their little eyes. Gently touch their little fingers and ears. The more you look at your newborn, the better!
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