How to prepare for your Newborn Session

NEWBORN RELATED BLOG POSTS:

DIY FRESH 48

LIFESTYLE NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY vs. POSED NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

I LOVE Lifestyle newborn photography! They are a great way to celebrate your newest family member in the comfort of your own home, all together- parents, siblings, pets! Your newborn changes so much in the first few weeks that deciding to have a newborn photography session- styled or lifestyle is an investment that will last you a lifetime! I love that I am able to capture your brand new blessing in the comfort of your own home.

Here are a few things you need to know to prepare for your Lifestyle Newborn Session:

  • Your photography session will take place during the late morning/early afternoon hours. These session last between 60-90minutes. During this time we will be utilizing the natural light that comes through your windows. I find that the late morning/early afternoon provides the best light inside. Be sure to open the blinds in the room we will be using to brighten it up! ( Turn off any artificial lighting that may be on.) I will most likely position you, your family and/or baby near a window.
  • Prior to our session, try and keep the baby awake and stimulated as much as possible. You can give baby a bath, play for awhile, and try to feed him/her about the time I am due to arrive. A full belly makes for a sleepy baby! I always suggest you feed the baby before our session to ensure of a full belly. A full belly will help your little one have a great session together. If you would like photos of your baby being fed ( bottle, nursing, etc.) We can do that as soon as I get there so feel free to hold off on feeding until I get there and we will start with that. After the baby is full, make sure they are burped really well. Gas can take a sleepy, happy baby to an uncomfortable and irritable one in seconds.
  • Keep it warm! Babies love a warm environment. This will help them to stay comfortable for any naked/diaper photos and it will help anytime there is an outfit change as well.
  • Speaking of an outfit change. You can start with your baby in a swaddle and nothing but a diaper on underneath. If baby has dry or flakey skin, feel free to add some lotion on them. If lotion does not take the flakes away completely, do not worry, I can edit that out but minimizing it some will be helpful for me.
  • If you are wondering what to wear, it’s entirely up to you, but I always recommend that you choose your outfit first and then build the other outfits around that. I encourage you to wear something comfortable and maybe flowy. This way you will not want to fidget with your clothes and correct your postpartum body. A light sweater or cardigan to layer is also nice for photos. I do not recommend logos or large printed shirts. They can be overwhelming in photos. Solid colors are best.
  • Be prepared to have me in your home for 2 hours. **UPDATED** I will wear a mask the entire session. You and your family are not required to wear a mask. I have the proper equipment to let me stay 6ft. apart.** If the weather allows, we might go outside for a few photos as well.
  • DO NOT worry about the state of your house. You JUST had a baby! I do not care if there are dishes in the sink or laundry all over! We will work around this and choose 1-2 rooms to stay in. I do ask that the room(s) you choose for your session have 1.) window light 2.) minimized mess.
  • Patience is KEY! If the baby gets fussy or isnt sleeping at all, do not worry! Your baby is able to feel your emotions and sense anxiety and we want to keep the session as mellow and low key as possible. I will try to get the baby comfortable again, but if that doesn’t work, we will either take a short break or keep going if we can. Sometimes the best photos happen when they are not giving us what we really want!

The MOST important job YOU have is to RELAX. This is the time to be present in the moment with your family. I want you to soak in that new baby smell, cuddle with your loved ones, and look around at all your blessings and feel the magic of motherhood/parenthood.

Since this is a lifestyle, very heavy on the candid and documentary nature of a session, I leave any ‘props’ that you’d want to include up to your discretion! You can absolutely round up your own items to incorporate into photos, such as your own swaddles, hats, basket, headbands, outfits, etc. Outfit/blanket changes are absolutely okay and I love when we get some a variety of pictures of your little one in different outfits and blankets! I do suggest keeping it to 2-3 options as we might run out of time to do more.

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meet the photographer Ali

A New England based photographer, chaser of that perfect light, lover of holiday eves and all things pumpkin!  My favorite color is TEAL (and anything light blue). To this day, I love me a good BSB/NSYNC reception dance party and I can not wait to meet you! 

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