Why Book A Newborn Session?

Newborn portraits are so important because the first stage of their precious life is so fleeting that you need photographs to capture their every tiny feature. ("They grow up too fast" is a very true statement!) I strive to give every itty-bitty that comes into my studio the perfect first portrait session. Here is a list of tips and suggestions I tell each client before their session date arrive!

1) When To Book

The earlier you start thinking of booking the better! When scheduling newborn sessions, I base the booking date on your due date and once baby makes their grand entrance into the world, we will schedule an exact day and time for their session! Also, the earlier you book, the more time I have to prepare for your session and gather any necessary props I need to create a one-of-a-kind setup for you and your family.

I suggest to booking between days 5 and 10 of their new life. This is because during the first 10 days they are still very sleepy and curled up which makes them easier to pose and take photos of. However, this is not mandatory by any means! NICU stays, recovering from birth, and many other reasons may make scheduling for the first two weeks impossible. While I cannot promise to get certain poses of your baby once they are older than two weeks (they may be awake making certain poses unsafe) I promise I can work with any age baby and will create beautiful images for you!

2) Time

When booking newborn sessions, I do not limit the time because babies don't have schedules. They may need to eat and/or be changed 3+ times during a session and that is ok! I am patient and work around you and your little one's needs! Many parents feel guilty when little one needs to eat. Please, PLEASE, never feel guilty for needing to take care of your little one! Typically, a newborn session will be the only thing I book for that day to give me plenty of time to work. I never rush with newborns as it would be unsafe and I would never want parents to feel any kind of pressure. If three hours go by and I haven't gotten any images because baby is too upset, I will reschedule at no additional charge to ensure you get your images!


3) Props And Outfits

I provide all outfits, props, backdrops, and wraps we will need for your little one's session. However, if you have an item or outfit you would like to bring and have in your photos, I welcome it! For example, during a newborn session I had a mother bring a locket with a photo of her late father and it was very important to have him be a part of her daughter's session. I was honored to be able to capture such a special image for her! Does your little one have a nursery theme or color scheme you'd like to incorporate so you can hang photos to match your home? When booking I have a questionnaire to fill out so you can let me know what you'd like to see in your photos! I will have custom one-of-a-kind setups, with outfits and props, ready for when you arrive.

This image of my daughter, Adelaide, features and outfit purchased from Ketaprops on Etsy as well as felt characters I got from an awesome small business, Drops Of Color.

As a hobby, I love to needle felt. I have created many small props for my itty bitty clients including a racoon, flamingo, tiny dino, and more. Contact me to order a specialty item for your little one's session and be able to take it home with you after!

4) What To Bring

As mentioned above, I will provide all props and outfits we will need for your session. I do however suggest packing a few necessities for your baby. One item I suggest is a pacifier, only if you use them of course! These can be a very helpful tool for me if baby is being a little cranky and difficult to get to sleep or calm down. Another thing to keep in mind is baby may need to eat multiple times so make sure to bring plenty of formula and bottles. Even if you feed your itty bitty right before coming to the studio, newborns go through something called Cluster Feeding and sometimes like to eat every hour or two. If you breastfeed and do not use bottles, no problem! You can feed your little one as many times, and for as long, as they need! I can provide a private area for you to nurse if you need as well!

5) What To Wear

For the most part, your sweet new babe will be the only one in front of the camera. However, I do offer images with mom and dad (and siblings!) at no additional cost.* My suggestions to parents are wear neutral colors. Too bright of colors can distract from the baby and clash with my backdrops. Also, too many accessories will take away the spotlight of your newborn who is the main focus of the session, so I will ask if you mind taking off large pieces including necklaces and watches/bracelets.

*This only includes in studio family shots. My space is limited so these images will be close up photographs of you and your family!

This beautiful client and her twin baby boys came to see me for a Christmas Mini in my home-studio! Note how she wore a white sweater which was a perfect neutral color to keep the focus on her boys and not clash with with room. The wall in my studio room is green but the shelves and wall decor can be customized for your session!