5 Tips to Prepare for a Newborn Photo Session
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5 Tips to Prepare for a Newborn Photo Session
Our goal for your newborn photos is to capture some sweet images of your new life and the love that you and your family have for this baby. With this in mind, we want you to arrive feeling relaxed. I will guide you throughout the photo session with some prompts to get the best angles for your images. We don’t overly pose your family portraits. It is more of allowing you to stand or sit naturally while I give you small suggestions to adjust an arm or hand to get the best look.
The main variable in a successful photo session is a content baby, which isn’t always in our control. So it helps to be relaxed and take your time with feedings and soothing as needed. But I can share 5 tips to prepare for a newborn photo session. These tips may help your photo session go more smoothly.
Feed Your baby before your photo session
Breastfeeding schedules
If this is your first baby, you may be surprised at how often newborns need to eat, especially if you are breastfeeding. You may be nursing for up to 20 minutes on one side and then another 20 minutes on the other. One feeding may take 40 minutes. Breastfed newborns typically feed every 2 to 3 hours, but that time is calculated from the time you started the last feeding. So after 40 minutes of nursing, you might begin feeding again 1 hour and 20 minutes later. So if you feel like all you do is nurse your baby, you are probably doing it right! I remember when I had my first baby and that is definitely how I felt!
It can also be uncomfortable to nurse the first couple of weeks, as your baby learns how to properly latch and you learn how to position everything. Don’t get discouraged! It gets easier as your baby grows a little and eventually you and your baby become pros. While it is time-consuming, use that time to relax and bond with your baby. This time doesn’t last forever, and it really is a special time.
Newborns have growth spurts at 2 weeks old and other intervals, so sometimes they cluster feed and that will feel like you are nursing even more! It can be exhausting, but you’ll get through it. It helps if you can pump and give a bottle to your partner to give you a break. If you are exclusively breastfeeding the first few weeks, it is probably a little harder for the lack of sleep (I did this with 3 babies).
Feeding schedules with breast or bottle
While you will have a feeding schedule, babies are are hungry when they’re hungry. So you can’t plan exact feeding times all the time. Sometimes you need to feed earlier or later than planned. So I tell my clients, not to stress about feeding around the photo session. If you are able to feed your baby before you leave your house to come to the photo session, then great! If not, that’s okay too! You can feed your baby when you arrive at the session. We are flexible for newborn photo sessions.
And in my planning guide, I let clients know that they should plan for at least 1 or 2 feedings during the photo session. So depending on the timing, that might be in the beginning and then halfway through or towards the end of photo session. We want your photo session to be stress free, so we are flexible and we work around your baby.
The most important thing is that your baby is well fed and comfortable. A content baby is more relaxed and it is easier to take photos. The main takeaway is that our studio photo session is 2-3 hours long to account for 2 feedings during the session. We are really only actively taking photos for a fraction of the time. The rest of the time is soothing, wrapping, and gently posing.
Relax and be yourself
Make yourself at home in the sitting area
The atmosphere during your photo session is quiet and relaxed for first time parents. You can make yourself comfortable in the sitting area. Just relax during feedings, and parents, you can even take a catnap during the downtime! If you are calm, your baby picks up on that energy, and it helps the newborn photo session go more smoothly.
Family Photos & Parent/baby Photos
Don’t worry about how you feel in front of the camera. If you feel awkward, don’t think about it. You can focus on loving your baby and interacting with your spouse and children during your newborn photo session. When I ask you to stand together with your spouse and baby, I often will first let you place yourself naturally, and then I will tell you what to adjust so that it photographs well.
Sibling Photos
If this is not your first baby and you are bringing your toddlers, expect a little more chaos! If there’s a 2 or 3 year old, there is going to be plenty of action and movement. That is okay, and totally expected! I love working with kids, I have 3 children of my own, and I have photographed tons of kids. Don’t feel bad if your kiddos don’t stay still, believe me, it is completely normal! We will just do the best we can to calmly get cooperation. So I say, hope for some candid photos with siblings, and if we get that posed photo with the newborn, it’s a bonus!
A little tip I can suggest to prepare your toddlers for a newborn photo session, is to practice with them before the photo session. Let them know how to gently hold or sit next to a newborn. You can even take a cell phone picture with them together at home and tell them we will be taking pictures at the photography studio.
Stay hydrated and eat some snacks
In the studio, I provide water and some snacks, but feel free to bring your own to have as needed. The studio newborn photo session typically lasts for 2 or 3 hours. Generally we allot the first half hour for selecting wardrobe if desired, settling and wrapping the baby, and feeding the baby as needed. Then we spend approximately 2 hours doing photography, with soothing, diaper changes, and perhaps a feeding during that time. The last half hour is time to look over album, matted prints, and frame samples and write down the ones you like best. Then after you see your photos a few days later, I will help you decide what you’d like to order for your artwork.
A little personal note about staying hydrated: something that I realized when I was breastfeeding my daughter was how thirsty I became immediately during each feeding. I always had water next to me to sip. I needed to refill my cup so much throughout the first couple of weeks of feeding during the night, that I actually brought a watercooler upstairs to keep next to my bed, so I could easily refill. 🙂
Pack your diaper bag essentials
Pack your diaper bag with essentials, such as diapers, wipes, ointment, burp cloths, nursing cover, bottles, and one or two clean pacifiers. We have a changing table in the studio with a clean cover just for your session. We also have a bar sink with hot water to warm milk or formula, and a bathroom.
A Pacifier – the most important tool for quick self-soothing during solo newborn photos
Please bring a clean pacifier, even if you are exclusively breastfeeding and aren’t using them for the first two weeks after birth. Babies with a strong suck reflex that will not settle when not being held might take a pacifier for a few seconds, we snap the photo, and then we can check that adorable pose off your favorite list. In some cases, we just can’t get a tummy pose or nest pose without it. Some babies will need it to self-soothe when you aren’t holding them.
You’d be surprised at how fast we can take a photo by using that pacifier for a few seconds. And then you don’t have to use the pacifier again until you are ready and have established your breastfeeding routine. My goal is to not take more than 3 hours of your time and the pacifier ensures that! You’ll be happy you brought it! The photo session goes so much faster and it will be easier on you and your baby.
Babies that don’t need a pacifier to self-soothe, probably won’t benefit from using one at the photo session. They will most likely be settled after feeding and we never need to use one. After having 3 babies of my own, it was clear very early on which of my children needed it for self-soothing. My first baby and my third baby both liked a pacifier from the beginning. My second baby never really took to it and rarely wanted one. You may find that babies who like pacifiers might also like to suck their thumb. My two pacifier babies were thumb suckers.
My recommendation is to make it easier on yourself and your baby, and just be prepared with it. There are plenty of photo sessions where we don’t use one at all. But the photo sessions where it was needed, some of the solo newborn photos wouldn’t have been photographed without it.
What to wear and what to bring
Bring some undergarment options if borrowing a dress from the client wardrobe
The client wardrobe has a variety of styles and fits. Some dresses are off the shoulder and some have a low cut, so it might be helpful to bring a strapless bra. You can change back into your comfortable clothing when the family and mom/baby portraits are complete. Some dresses may look best with a cami or a slip underneath, whether that is full length, or just a waist to knee slip. There’s no need to go out and buy one just for the photo session, but feel free to bring it if you already have one.
What colors and styles to wear
If you would like to wear your own clothing, I recommend choosing a style that you will enjoy looking at in your portraits for years to come. For my particular photography style, I recommend wearing soft colors or neutral colors. I photograph true to color with a light and airy style. A soft color palette gives your portraits a timeless look and feel. These colors will look nice for years to come, as they tend to be less trendy than bright colors.
Some clients want to wear dresses and some prefer a more casual look with a simple top and jeans. You can wear both if you want to change and split half the family portraits with a different look. Dads and boys can wear a simple white, gray, or neutral color button down dress shirt, polo shirt, or Henley tee. Khaki pants, chinos, or jeans pair well with this look. I recommend avoiding patterns, such as plaid, because that draws the viewer’s eye to the shirt, rather than the baby and your faces.
Also avoid neon colors or shirts with prominent logos. These can be distracting in the final images. Simple is best, and you can either choose a solid color shirt or one with tactile texture so that you can feel the texture. Tactile texture will photograph nicely and add interest to the clothing without distracting from your faces.
Moms and girls can also wear soft flowy solid color or low contrast floral pattern dresses. I have several dresses for girls in the client wardrobe. My personal favorite option is a solid color dress with lots of tactile texture, such as lace, rouching, or other textures. I have a variety of options for clients to wear in the studio, or if you would like help purchasing your own, let me know what color you might have in mind and I’ll send you some links.
Nails, hair, and make-up
Don’t forget to do a quick nail check the day before your photo session and make sure your natural nails are filed if you don’t have time for a manicure. Your nails will be noticeable in the photos, so if it suits you, I would recommend having your nails painted with a clear, neutral, or pastel pink. Natural nails are fine too. The main thing is to avoid chipped nail polish. The only time we will take photos super close up of your nails during a newborn session, is if you want photos of baby feet with your hands.
I also recommend wearing some light make-up, such as mascara, light foundation, blush, and lip-gloss. This will enhance your features in the camera.
Sometimes my clients will get their hair and make-up done professionally before their photo session. This is not required, but if you plan to do this, I’m happy to adjust your session arrival time a little later if that helps you fit this into your schedule better before the session. Just ask.
These 5 tips to prepare for a newborn photo session should help give you a general idea of what is helpful for a successful newborn photo session. For more detailed information or to schedule your newborn photo session, reach out to Rebecca Leigh Photography. Thinking about photography for the future, follow along on Instagram.
If you are wondering when you should schedule your newborn photo session, you can reach out and book your due date any time during your second or third trimester. Your actual photo session will be scheduled after your baby is born. And since we know babies may arrive early, on time, or late, this is not a problem for scheduling. I always have a few dates available to accommodate clients at any time.
If you are reading this and your baby has already arrived, please don’t hesitate to contact me to schedule a photo session. I’m always happy to accommodate if I am available.
Typically we schedule your newborn photo session within two weeks after birth, but if you need more time for any reason at all, I am more than happy to schedule the session at your convenience. I just recommend trying to schedule before they are 6 weeks old if possible. However, it is never too late!
Rebecca Leigh Photography is a newborn, baby, and family photographer located in Ellicott City, Maryland. Rebecca’s background is in art education, and not only is she a professional photographer and artist, she offers art lessons for children and adults. To view Rebecca’s paintings for sale or to learn more about her art lesson offerings, visit Rebecca Leigh Studio.
