NEWBORN SESSION
How to prepare for your newborn session
a practical guide for your shoot
Lifestyle sessions are very relaxed, so there is really not much to do in preparation. Before the session take some time to choose what the baby, you and the other family members will wear and take a look around your home to decide if you need to remove any objects. On the day of the session we will just go with the baby and follow their lead.
If you can manage to feed the baby before I come, change their nappy and get them dressed in a plain onesie, great! This way we will not have to wake up the baby. Prepare the wraps that you would like to use and keep a bottle of milk (if not breastfed) ready. And this is pretty much all!
I will give you a few instructions in the beginning and then I will guide you while shooting. All you need to do is cuddle your baby, inhale their sweet aroma, talk to your husband and enjoy this very special moment in your lives!
PREPARE YOUR HOME
In preparation for the session, take a look around your home and remove items that you would not like to get in the pictures (water bottles, medicines, boxes, remote controls, charging phones, anything that will be out of place in the photos).
The master bed is one of the places where we will photograph the baby and your family, so please be mindful of the bedding. Bright colours create colour casts on the baby's skin and usually distract the attention. This is why I prefer to photograph on white or neutral colours to ensure that the focus will stay on the baby and won't be stolen by a busy pattern. If your bedding is bright and colourful, we can use the inner white comforter or plain bed sheets.
For newborn session I always recommended to turn off the A/C before/when I come so the rooms are warm and cosy if we underdress the baby for some nappy only shots or to change them.
DRESS YOUR BABY FOR THEIR NEWBORN SESSION
The onesie
Less is more when it comes to dressing your baby for their first photos. A plain white or gray onesie is a perfect choice. It is simple, classic and timeless and your baby really does not need more. A plain onesie that fits the baby perfectly will not only show how tiny the baby is, but will also let me photograph the little hands and feet and won't be distracting. If you would prefer a more colourful onesie, choose one that has a simple pattern. For little girls and to add some colour and charm to the gallery, you can prepare any small and delicate tie-back or headband.
The swaddle
Babies love to be swaddled and I adore photographing them when they are all wrapped like little bundles. Once wrapped, the babies feel safe, warm and happy. Using a swaddle is a great way to calm a baby and continue taking beautiful photos and is a must for siblings shots. It can be a plain swaddle wrap or a more colourful one to add a pop of colour to the gallery, so keep all your swaddles handy.
The keepsakes
If you have a special piece of clothing that is special to your family, by all means prepare it and we will make sure to use it during the session. This can be a blanket knitted by granny, a scarf given as a gift or your husband's newborn outfit. Anything that has a meaning to you and your family is welcome.
CHOOSE YOUR WARDROBE FOR THE SESSION
When planning your family's wardrobe for the newborn session, try to keep it simple too. Think neutral colours - white, gray, cream. Try to stay away from dark or bright colours as they will cast weird shades onto your baby's skin just like the colourful bedding would. Pick up something that reflects your style and yet feels comfortable and simple, something that you would match the decor in your home and look in place. Match your family's clothing in colour and style, but don't overstress. The session is all about the baby and your connection with the baby and not about the clothing.
A simple trick to choose your outfits for the session is to pick up your clothes first and then lay all clothes that you think might work on the bed. Then just start mixing and matching them until you find the combination you like. If you need some additional support, I have created a fun guide to help you find your preferred colours and style. You will receive this via email.
This is all! Thank you so much for taking the time to read the tips. If you still have any questions at all, let me know!