Newborn Session Prep Guide
Congratulations on the newest addition to your family!
I am so excited to be recording this special moment in your life with a beautiful session for your baby.
Please read the information below to make sure we have the best session possible.
Feel free to message me with any questions.
IMPORTANT!
Once your baby is born, please contact me ASAP to let me know he/she has arrived!
Whenever you have a moment you can send me a text to (217) 240-4171 or use my Contact Form to get in touch with me. I will get back with you just as quickly as I can to schedule your newborn session.
I prefer to photograph newborn babies at around 10 days old, but if you need to wait for any reason that is fine as well. My studio is open by appointment only, so I can fit you in at your requested time for the most part.
If you are doing Family and Newborn portraits:
I schedule the family portraits on a different day than the newborn portraits if there are siblings included.
For a Successful Session:
One of the most important things to remember is to go with the flow. Your baby will be in charge of how the session goes and at what pace. Be prepared for a single pose to take some time to photograph and for your baby to absolutely want nothing to do with it. It happens, and we will work through anything that comes up during your session. My goal is to make sure both you and your baby are relaxed and treated with the utmost respect and care.
Sick Policy:
For safety reasons, I ask that anyone not being photographed to stay home. There are so many sicknesses that can be exposed to you, your baby, or my family while you are in my home.
If someone being photographed happens to be sick, please reschedule your session with me.
Please do not knowingly bring anyone into my home with any sickness.
I prefer for anyone sick be symptom free at least 24 hours before the appointment.
Since I work closely with newborns regularly it is important I stay healthy as much as I can and keep germs out of my studio space. I regularly disinfect and sanitize the studio.
I am up to date on all of my vaccinations and will reschedule a session if anyone in my own household is sick for your baby's protection.
The morning of your Session:
The following instructions are suggestions only.
You know your baby the best and I know some of these tips may not be possible for you.
However, I have found that these tips work wonderfully to help make your session a great one.
If you breastfeed: Please avoid eating anything that could cause gas a couple of days before your session.
This includes anything spicy or out of the ordinary for you.
Also, the morning of your session please avoid drinking any caffeine.
These foods and drinks can cause an unhappy, wide awake baby.
For Baby:
- Please keep the baby up as much as you can at least three hours prior to the session, Our goal is to keep the baby asleep throughout the session.
- Feed the baby prior to your session and make sure you burp him/her well.
- If you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, do not change to the other in the days before the session. Going from the breast to the bottle (or vice versa) can be hard on them. Your baby will want to eat more during the session and a diet change can contribute to any fussiness.
- Please bring a pacifier with you, my favorite brands are JollyPop and Soothies because they don’t leave marks on the baby’s face.
- I prefer to take portraits of the baby in their diaper or nude, so there will be a small heater on at all times to keep the studio warm. Dress appropriately because it will get warm.
- Please remember to bring plenty of diapers and bottles for the baby. I do not normally carry formula in my studio. I do have some newborn diapers for emergencies
- A change of clothes would also be a good idea to bring along for the baby. I ask this, because it has happened. Being a newborn parent is not always easy, and can make you forget the most obvious things.
- Feel free to bring along any special accessories or mementos to photograph the baby with. Examples are their blanket, a special stuffed animal, etc. If you want to do anything with something larger, like your wedding dress for example, please discuss this with me first.
- Please do not bring any special outfits. I prefer to photograph the baby either wrapped or nude.
For you:
This session will take from 2-4 hours long, please bring plenty of snacks, a book, an iPad, etc to keep yourself occupied and comfortable. Feel free to bring along your lunch or dinner with you, or take a nap while you are here! The reason for such a long session is sometimes babies are light sleepers, or need to stop several times for feedings or diaper changes. Sometimes babies will simply hate the flash, headbands, or being posed at all.
Be prepared for it all!
Depending on your package, if you are in the portraits with the baby please wear neutral colored clothing with little to no patterns, logos or text on them for the best results.
Thank you again for choosing me to photograph this special time!
It is my hope that you come to my studio feeling comfortable and at home. I am truly honored to be able to document this incredible time in your lives, and look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby!
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.
Are you interested in a Milestone Session Package? Ask me about it!
