A newborn session is all about you and your sweet little one. I take care of everything, from props and sets to clothing and comfort. I understand how sensitive a baby is during the first few weeks of life, and safety and health is my primary concern. I want the memory of your session to be one of comfort, relaxation, fun and touching sentiment that your family legacy is being recorded with creativity, consistency and professionalism.
I prefer to photograph newborns when they are between 5-14 days old. This age range is when newborns are still “curly” and sleepy enough for us to handle and pose them in the ways we are so well-known for. Babies older than 2 weeks begin to stretch out their limbs and are more sensitive to having their arms and legs adjusted in a pose. They wake up easier, and things like baby acne, colic, tummy upset, and flaky skin begin to emerge as a newborn is out of the womb longer. A session when baby is a bit older will still capture beautiful images, just be aware that there may be fewer images of baby unswaddled, and baby may not be willing to go into certain poses.
We always begin newborn sessions at 10:00 a.m. when baby is most likely to sleep well and sessions typically last about three hours. You do not need to bring any outfits or props, as we have a large variety of all the things needed, and they are specially designed for newborn photography. If you do have a special item you wish to bring we are happy to incorporate it but do not purchase anything for the session!
Covid-19 and other potential illnesses
I am up to date with the Covid-19 vaccine and boosters. I am up-to-date on other vaccines including Flu and Pertussis, and our baby items are all washed in baby-friendly soaps after each use, and the studio is cleaned and disinfected between clients. I wear a mask during the session and wash and use hand sanitizer often. Be aware that a studio newborn session involves me handling your baby closely for two to three hours. I will also need to be quite close to you and possibly touch you for parent posing. If you or your partner or doctor is not comfortable with this, it is best to wait and schedule a session between 4 and 9 months when I can direct you in posing baby from more of a distance and the session can be quite a bit shorter.
Booking
When you are ready to book, I will send a link to complete the booking and payment online. Parents who book their due dates receive first priority on our schedule. We only book a maximum of two due dates per week, so that we can be sure to get everyone in for their session in a timely manner. Once baby is born, we ask that you contact us and let us know as soon as possible, and we will plan 5-10 days out for your exact session day. Sessions are always at 10:00 a.m.
See also this blog post for more!
10 Questions You Might Not Even Know You Had About Newborn Photography