Bring a nice button-down shirt, polo, or sweater to wear for family shots. Be sure to coordinate the colors of your outf
Preparing for your Newborn Session Congratulations on your newest addition to your family! Now that you’ve scheduled a newborn session, it is important to follow the steps below to have sleepy baby for a smooth session.
Before the Session Fill out the newborn questionnaire at http://bit.ly/KDPNewbornQuestionnaire when booking the session. This will help me to personalize the session to best fit your expectations. Schedule a tentative date with me while you’re still pregnant. That way, I am prepared to work around your schedule once baby is born. Contact me to schedule an official date as soon as possible after delivery - the earlier in your baby’s life, the better! Feel free to have a close friend or family member contact me as well since having a new baby can be overwhelming. Pick a time that works with baby’s schedule. Babies tend to be sleepiest around 9:00 in the morning, but you know baby’s schedule better than anybody else. Pick a time that works best for you! Babies tend to be hungrier than usual during photography sessions. Modeling is hard work. If you are breast-feeding, stay hydrated and eat hearty meals in the days leading up to the session. If you are bottle-feeding, pack a couple of extra meals for baby than you usually do. If you want any special props pertaining to your hobbies, be sure to have them on hand! Also, if you have any special family heirlooms you would like to have photographed with baby, be sure to have those ready as well. Keep in mind that any props we use are at risk of being peed on, pooped on, or puked on. Don’t worry, I wash all of my props, blankets, and swaddles with hypo-allergenic detergent after every session.
Day of the Session Prepare for a warm session. Baby is accustomed to being nice and warm in mom's womb, and since she is going to be naked for part of the session, we want to make sure she is comfortable. If the session will be in your home, turn up the thermostat to 80º Fahrenheit. I will also have bring a space heater to keep baby warm during the session. If the session will be in my home studio, you will want to pack light, airy clothing to change into so you are comfortable during the session. Give baby a bath. The purpose of the bath is to keep baby awake and to use up his energy. The bath will also give baby that soft fuzzy hair! If baby’s umbilical cord has already fallen off, please give him a full bath. If it is still attached, please sponge bathe. Make a point to linger during the bath: draw it out longer than you normally would and dilly dally to keep baby awake and tire him out. Give baby a full feeding about twenty-minutes before the session. This isn’t a snack, so tickle baby’s feet and cheeks and change her diaper and do whatever you need to do to keep baby awake and ensure a full feeding. The goal is to have a sleepy, milk-drunk baby throughout the session. Keep baby in loose fitting pajamas that button or zip all the way down - no onesies! Tight fitting clothes will leave creases and marks on baby’s skin, and outfits that have to go over baby’s head will over-stimulate him and make it more difficult for him to fall asleep again for the session. Be prepared for a long session - baby’s the boss, which means we work on his schedule. Plan snacks and entertainment for yourself, or take advantage of my presence and take a much needed nap!
What to Wear Moms - Keep your tops simple by wearing a solid tank-top with no writing or embellishments. Pair with well-fitting jeans and simple jewelry for a classic look that won’t distract from your new baby. You may also wear a maxi-dress in a solid color if you prefer. Dads - Skin to skin shots create stunning images that show the close connection between father and child. However, if you’re not comfortable going shirtless, wear a tight fitting white or black shirt with well-fitting jeans. Bring a nice button-down shirt, polo, or sweater to wear for family shots. Be sure to coordinate the colors of your outfit to complement (not match) mom’s outfit. Siblings - Like Dad, big brothers and sisters should wear simple outfits in colors that coordinate with mom’s outfit. Big brothers can go shirtless or wear a simple button-down
shirt, polo, or sweater, and big sisters can wear nice jeans with a simple top or a simple dress with little to no pattern. Don’t forget everyone's hands! At some point during the session, everyone’s hands will be featured in an image. Be sure to trim nails the day before the session, and to clean underneath them in the hours leading to the session. Mom and big sisters may have painted nails, but keep the polish to a light, neutral, or muted color to avoid distracting from the baby. Bring extra clothes to wear home! Especially if you’re planning on posing for pictures with a naked baby. Babies are notorious for peeing, pooping, and puking on unsuspecting family members. If necessary, I can edit out any accidents that happen midsession, but you likely won’t want to wear baby’s gifts home. Questions, thoughts, or concerns? Don’t hesitate to call or text me at (505) 331-7371, or you may email me at
[email protected].
