NEWBORN SESSION INFO-

 

Once you contact me about a newborn session, I'll let you know that I like to capture the baby within the first few days of life, usually within 3-5 days old, but under 10-14 days old. This is due to their sleepiness, rolls and pudge & flexibility. Once they get older they are more alert, awake for longer spurts and restless, they are also not as flexible so getting them into position is more difficult for the photographer and uncomfortable for the baby.

 

Parents have to understand that I will be shooting very soon after birth. This session is also longer than my other sessions, sometimes a lot longer. Babies need a lot of feedings, changings, and comforting. In addition, props/backdrops take time to set up, take down and put back up.

 

My newborn sessions usually take a couple hours (average 2-3 hours, sometimes up to 4 hours (we go by the baby's lead), due to all of the setting up of displays and props and keeping baby happy and asleep for the majority of the time. I am a perfectionist and will not rush or end a session if I feel I don’t have enough shots to absolutely thrill you. Please feel free to bring drink/snacks, a book, or take a nap. Oh, and make sure you let Daddy know it will take this long!

 

Communicating is key, so here is a prep list prior to your arrival. It looks like this.

 

• I need you to arrive at your baby's sleepiest time (usually directly after a feeding or right before a feeding)– so keep an eye on their “new” schedule and we will figure out the best time to come. (we want baby asleep for the photos because as newborns they cannot "focus" their eyes and tend to look cross-eyed in photos, even though they aren't.)

• We will be shooting in my home studio where lighting is its best, but should I need to come to you (travel fee applies), please make room in a room with the most available natural light (most/largest windows or doors) so make sure the room is clean and clear of furniture, etc. Also, make sure nursery is nice and tidy should we do photos of baby in there.

• I will have the room warmed up with a space heater so that the room temperature is nice and toasty (approximately 80-85 degrees), this will help baby be more comfortable and sleep more soundly, so I definitely recommend that Mommy & Daddy dress accordingly because it does get rather warm during a session, dressing in layers is wise. (I always break a sweat shooting babies)

• I will use heaters, white noise/heartbeat machines & lullabies to drown out background noises to help keep baby asleep. Keeping the baby asleep and comfortable is one of my main concerns to get the best possible photos. (SAFETY BEING #1) Please keep this in mind when bringing other small children, cellphones, tablets, toys, and other items that may wake the baby.

• Seating is at a minimum in my studio and I try to work in the most soothing atmosphere possible to keep the baby asleep. I strongly recommend no more than 2 adults come to the session and only bring small children if doing sibling or family photos (these types of photos will take place at the very beginning of the session so that the other adult/parent can leave with the small children once their part is complete, little ones have a hard time sitting still and quiet for hours).

• Try to feed baby (if schedule allows) 15-30 minutes or so prior to arrival, or if it is more convenient, you are more than welcome to feed baby once you arrive in the privacy of the studio if that is easier. Generally babies sleep best after a feeding so ideally feeding the baby directly before the session tends to work out best in my expirence.

• I will be shooting the majority of your baby's session in the nude, this is my style and allows you to see all your baby's delicate and precious features like wrinkles and rolls, fingers and toes, therefore baby should be only in a diaper when we begin, that way we do not have to disrupt baby by undressing them, and the "flaps" on the diaper should be unstuck and folded under (to keep from startling baby once they fall asleep, and to prevent indentations on the baby's soft skin) Socks and "Mittens" should be removed too to prevent indentations on the skin. *Some parents warn me that their baby hates to be naked and are worried about how they're baby will react to being naked the entire session. Please keep in mind that most babies do not like to be naked because they don't like to be COLD. They are usually dressed in layers, then wrapped up & very warm, and when they have their blankets and clothes removed, the room is very cold to them (dramitically colder than their "snuggle mode" they were just in, OR especially when touched with a cold wipe) that is another reason why I keep it so warm in my studio (and even have a wipe warmer to keep from startling the baby), so that they feel wrapped and warm the entire time., so please do not worry!

• Bring any items that you are interested in trying to use in the shoot for me to sort through and pick from. Items such as baskets, blankets/quilts, hats, headbands, wedding rings, music instruments (ex. guitars), special stuffed animals, family heirlooms, etc. (If you do not have any particular items you wish to bring that is totally ok too, I have PLENTY of props).

• PLEASE PLEASE CONSIDER DOING THIS! If you would like to be in images with your baby, make sure to look nice and wear colors that compliment your setting. I suggest beautiful light colors (free of big, busy designs or logos) for a soft and gentle look, feel free to ask for opinions. Please seriously consider taking family photos with your newborn, they are only this little for such a short period of time, and you dont want to look back, years from now, and wish you had done it. Don't worry about the extra few pounds you havent shed from giving birth, or the fact you havent slept since baby was born, think about how much you love this baby and think of how important these photos will be to your child(ren) one day. Besides, I can always crop above the waist-line!!

• Be prepared for explosions of all kinds. Poop, pee and spit up may go flying or spraying on anything around. (I get peed/pooped on A LOT! ) So I have burp cloths, wipes and clean up items out and ready! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not let this bother you. All of my props are washable, and get washed after every session anyways, so please keep in mind this is just part of the naked baby process.

• .If you are coming to my home studio please come prepared with bottles of breast milk/formula for comforting and a pacifier (if you use one). I will usually feed baby if they get fussy through out the shoot to help calm them down and keep them asleep. so be prepared for extra feedings/soothing. My motto... BE OVERLY PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING! this also goes for a change of clothes... for Mom... while I do try very hard to keep you clean, occassionally, it does happen. So better safe than sorry... unless you want to go home...wet

• On picture day we do things a little different than a normal day... extra feedings, pacifiers, etc... please go with the flow to keep baby happy & asleep.

• I always encourage Mommy to sit back and relax and let me handle the little one. Even take a nap while your baby is having his/her pictures taken. (Mommy's (and Daddy's)need to take advantage, and rest whenever, wherever possible).

• Don’t be surprised if it takes your baby a good little while to get into “baby model mode.” They aren’t used to being handled this much! (I hear a lot of, “They aren’t usually like this.” Well, they aren’t usually picked up every few minutes and posed on props. Eventually they get so tuckered out, they don’t notice that I'm moving them around. So please don't stress if an hour or so in, we havent taken a picture yet... it WILL ALL WORK OUT!!

• Lastly, get ready to LOVE your baby even more, watching them is such a beautiful thing and your going to fall even more in love with them watching them being photographed.

 

• I kindly ask that you do not photograph/video me, my session, or your baby during my sessions. You will get photos and sneak peeks from your session, and you will be so much happier with the quality of my photos, than with a cellphone shot from the session. I really appreciate your understanding and respect on this topic.

 

 

       If you have ANY questions or would like more              information on newborn sessions please do not                hesitate to reach out:

 

 

              saralassiterphotography@gmail.com