Tips on Newborn Photography Sessions

1. Illness.  If you or your baby are ill, please reschedule. I will understand. If you have a question about your baby’s 6-week rash or baby acne, please call me. Black and white photographs are very forgiving of your baby’s little rashes, but if you feel more comfortable rescheduling, that is fine with me. This can be a reason why you might choose to have your baby’s newborn pictures taken at 1 or 2 weeks of age--many times their skin is perfectly smooth then. Tip… if your baby’s skin is flaky, keep baby lotion handy for an impromptu massage.

2. Clothing choices.  Think simple and classic. You probably wouldn’t want your baby photographed in a dark color--it is too severe for them. Onesies and their own skin are your best bet, with a marvelous heirloom-christening gown coming in second. (I have one if you wish to use it!) Stretchy hats that fit your baby are great. Also wonderful to photograph with Baby are any blankets, quilts, or afghans that have been made for them. Texture is wonderful in black and white; pattern is not good. Polka dots and small bunnies hopping all over the outfit are what we want to avoid.

3. Parent’s clothing choices. You may choose to be in as many or as few of the pictures as you wish. At the very least, you will be a backdrop for some of the pictures, so please wear a solid color and sleeves. Your hands will be in the pictures-- French manicures look best, over red polish any day. If you are trying to choose between light or dark, try to decide what look you would prefer. Wearing black will create dramatic portraits. Wearing white will create an elegant, classic look. Mom may also wish to bring a tube top if she would like a bare shoulder/baby look. Please, no shirt and tie for Dad--too formal for these photographs.  Mom, dark red lipstick doesn't photograph well in black and white.

4. Miscellaneous advice. It may not be a good idea to give your baby a bath the day of pictures. It can make them upset, and make their skin more flaky. Upsetting them may make a rash show up more. It is best to have a nice quiet day the day before and the day of your pictures. Baby may not be able to settle as easily if they’ve had a day like this: “First we went to the mall to have his picture taken with the Easter Bunny. Then we had lunch at the Food Court with Grandma. Then Grandma stayed with him for a few hours while I ran out to do errands. Then we came here.” You know your baby, and if they are able to tolerate a weekend of company and be ready for pictures early Monday morning.

5. Older siblings. I love getting them into the pictures. They also can wear very simple clothing. If the big brother or sister is really still a baby him or herself, matching onsies, or matching bare chests, make a great picture. Sometimes it is easy and natural to get older siblings into the pictures, and sometimes, no matter how encouraging we are, it is impossible. I am happy to strategize with you in advance to give us the best possible chance of catching the older sibling being loving with the baby, but this will be dependent on your older child too. We can’t MAKE it happen, no matter how hard we try. Those dear little people, with their new situation they are striving to deal with, and their strong wills, will control the situation, to some extent. Of course, having full tummies and being well rested will help somewhat.

6. Babies eat in the middle of these shoots, but please, for your baby's comfort, feed them immediately before the session too. 75% of the babies eat sometime during their photo shoot. They seem to often be in the middle of a growth spurt when they are getting their pictures taken, so even when they have just eaten before the shoot, they will be happier if they eat again. A baby with a full tummy is a happy baby. I nursed 4 babies, so I understand the stage where it feels like you never stop nursing. If that is where you are with the nursing thing, I understand. I will either provide a private area for you and your baby, or, if you wish, I can take a modest nursing photograph--no skin.

7. Smiles. I love catching Baby’s first smiles, but the dear, sweet, innocent looks are wonderful too. Early in Baby’s life, we get a wide range of expressions, but not a smile on each proof. This will be one of the first of many thousands of opportunities you will have to accept your child as she is today, the person who God created--her own person, think of that, while she’s so new to the world. It is in her uniqueness that we can appreciate who your baby is today--knowing that tomorrow your baby will have grown and changed, just as you will have grown and changed as both a person and as a parent. Acceptance and love--our greatest gifts to our children.