How To Prepare For Your Newborn Photo Session

Congratulations, you're having a baby! You've got your birth plan, you've got the nursery set up, you even have baby's first clothes folded up in the drawers of the changing table. But there's something else...what was it again? Oh! Right! BABY PICTURES!

Whether it's your first baby or your third, that period of time when they're brand new and so stinkin' tiny you can't stand it goes by in a flash, and you want to freeze those moments before they're gone. And that's where I come in.

Tiny Fingers

You might think the pictures are the easy part - and in a way, they are. But there's a little work to be done beforehand - things to ensure the smoothest session possible, and to prepare for the unexpected.

To make it even easier for you, I've got your To Do List right here!

1) First things first: Don't fret over scheduling. Ideally, you want to get these photos done within the first seven days, but it ends up being closer to ten, that's cool, too. Life happens, and when it comes to this, we're on baby's schedule, and that's okay!

That said, you want to get your session on the books as soon as possible to secure the date, but what if baby comes early? What if baby comes late? Don't worry! When you schedule your session we can always put down some backup dates just in case.

2) Style: For baby, select up to 3 outfits (or no outfit at all) and if you plan to be in the photos with baby, choose colors that go well together. If you'd prefer to have baby unclothed, make sure the diaper is fresh (but loose if you plan to have any pictures of baby completely bare - this way we avoid red lines from the diaper).

For you, wear something that makes you feel comfortable & confident! Just remember that patterns don't photograph well, and you want to consider the overall color scheme. If you're unsure of how to dress everyone, don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations. I love getting to help with outfit inspiration!

3) Sleep: As hard as it is to keep a newborn baby from sleeping, it's recommended that you keep them awake for at least an hour before the session. This helps to ensure that baby sleeps during the session - which helps everything go smoother. However, if baby insists on being awake, that's okay too! Some are just naturally alert, and there is no hard and fast rule that says baby must be asleep for the entire session.

Wide Awake

4) Feeding: Try to time it so baby gets fed right before the session. Full tummy equals sleepy equals easy breezy photos!

5) Keep it warm: Turn up the temperature. Babies can't regulate their body temps the way we can, and will wake up if they're tired.

6) Nurseries and Natural Light: Any photographer will tell you there's nothing more beautiful than natural light, and we like to take advantage of that in the lifestyle shots as much as possible, so if you have an area in your home with a nice big window that gets a lot of light, make sure you can get to it because I promise you want some window light pictures! Nurseries are a great spot for pictures, too, so try to have it as ready as possible. And if the nursery has nice window light? WOWZA. You're in for some truly amazing pictures.

7) Soothers: Bring a couple of pacifiers. It may be the best way to call a fussy baby between shots.

8) Prop it up: If you have any plush toys, bonnets, or blankets you want included, have those ready.

9) Pets: For the most part, we don't want pets in the same room during the session - at least for the posed pictures. Pets are naturally curious and may want to check everything out, which at best could slow things down and at worst upset baby. Of course, if we're aiming for a Lifestyle vibe, or gathering everyone for a family picture, we can absolutely include the family dog or cat.

Pets Are Family Too

10) Give yourself time: Don't schedule anything prior to your photo session - no appointments, no visits, or anything that will excite baby (or you!). We want this to be a calm, enjoyable experience for everyone.

There is no way to be completely prepared for anything, and as I've said, baby runs the show now, so the best we can do is go with the flow. Diaper incidents, crying fits (that goes for baby and parents alike), wardrobe malfunctions - it's all part of the experience, so don't worry about being perfect. There's no such thing.

It Was a Total 'Notebook' Moment (Or, When It Rains on Your Wedding Day)

A few years ago, I was hired for a small wedding out in the country. It was October, and the weather was delightful Big, puffy white clouds in the sky, a delightful autumn breeze...it was perfect for a backyard wedding.

Boot Lineup

Barbed Wire Bouquet

Boots & A Bouquet

I walked around the yard, taking pictures of all the sweet little details - the bales of hay, the lineup of boots, the pumpkins...it was all so cute and thoughtful. I had a lot of fun with it, as you can imagine (details are one of my favorite things about photographing weddings) - placing the bouquet in the fence, setting the wedding rings on one of the boots - but soon it was time to get down to business.

After the portraits of the bride were complete, the guests were seated, the music started, and we were ready to begin the ceremony. The bridesmaids made their entrance, and the moment we were all waiting for was here.

...and so was the rain.

Yup. As soon as the bride took her first step down the aisle toward her groom, the sky opened up. There was a moment when everyone looked around and wondered, "What do we do?" But the bride kept walking, so I kept shooting.

It wasn't easy keeping my camera dry as the rain came down harder and harder, but I was hired to do a job, so I did the best I could. All through the vows, as the rain dripped off the pergola down the bride's dress, they remained, focused on each other. And then, the big moment - "I now pronounce you husband and wife" - and I swear the sky just blew wide open and the rain came down in sheets. But that didn't stop them. And it sure didn't stop me.

And what I got out of it was a photo straight off a Nicholas Sparks book cover - the couple's first kiss with a background of rain.

A Notebook Moment

Pretty epic, if you ask me.

Honestly, these two were troopers. A lot of people would have run back inside and waited for the rain to pass - which it always does because hello, Florida. But these two stuck it out and ended up with not only a great story to tell about their wedding day, but photos to show just how dedicated they were to getting married.

Plus, I'm pretty sure rain on your wedding day is a good omen. :)

Six Things To Consider Before Scheduling Your Maternity Session

There's a lot to consider when planning your maternity photo session - location, time of day, and wardrobe, to name a few. And while I'm here to help you through every step of the planning phase (and beyond), I thought I'd share a few tips ahead of time so you know what to expect.

First and foremost - when are you due?

Timing is everything, and we want to make sure to schedule your session late enough so your belly is very noticeable, but not so late that you're uncomfortable and have trouble getting around. This usually ends up being around the middle of your last trimester, so get your session on the books as soon as possible to ensure that date is secured.

Second - Location

Where do you want the session to take place? I offer both indoor and outdoor sessions, and there are things to consider for each.

If we're doing outdoor photos, we will have to work around the weather. We all know the weather is crazy here in Florida and there is a chance we might have to reschedule. In order to be sure your photos don't get delayed, be sure to book a backup date in case your first one gets rained out.

If we're taking your maternity photos indoors (usually in your home), the biggest thing to keep in mind is lighting. Do you have areas in your home with lots of natural light? The next biggest thing is the space itself. Baby's room? Living room? Kitchen? Make sure these rooms have lots of light and are free of clutter on the day of your session. While the focus will of course be on you (and your partner, if they want to be included), we want to make sure you're not competing with the space.

Third - What to wear.

This one is just as important as location, and often go hand in hand. Location determines theme, which determines wardrobe. If your maternity session is outdoors, you have a lot of options for clothing. Many women take this opportunity to glam up a little, and will buy or rent a beautiful dress that showcases their belly and their glorious beauty as a mom-to-be. Others prefer to stick with their natural style, and some land somewhere in between. The idea is to do what feels right for you. (Check out this gorgeous dress! https://https://tinyurl.com/etsy-dress)

For in-home maternity sessions, outfit choices vary from very casual (jeans & a t-shirt or bra) to a somewhat dressy (a soft, flowy dress). The choice is yours - the idea is for you to be comfortable.

If you're stuck on what to wear, don't fret! I have a full style guide for maternity photo sessions, and am happy to discuss all of your ideas and guide you to what you're most happy with. And don't forget that I have dresses available in my client closet!

Fourth - Props!

What can I say - I love them! There are so many creative things you can do with them, and they can add fun & creativity to your photos.

What props should you bring? That's entirely up to you. You can bring a pair of baby's shoes, a blanket or stuffed animal you've bought, a cute onesie, or maybe a sign announcing your due date (and baby's name, if you choose).

You can also add some accessories to your outfit, such as a flower crown (like this one: https://tinyurl.com/maternity-flower-crown).

Ultimately, we want to make this session as unique as you are, so if in doubt, just bring all the things and we'll incorporate as much of it as we can.

Fifth - What to bring.

Aside from props, I recommend bringing things like snacks, water, and maybe a foldable/portable chair to your maternity session. Hunger can creep up fast, and we don't want anyone getting woozy or dehydrated - especially if we're outside on a summer day. It's happened to me, and when you don't have food or water close by, things can get kind of scary. So pack a small cooler with water, Gatorade, a sandwich or protein bar (or fruit, or...well, you get the idea). And I always have my wagon with me, so don't worry about lugging your cooler around.

Sixth - Get in the right headspace

It's intimidating to be in front of a camera and feeling like all eyes are on you - photographers know this better than most people - but the good news is there are things you can do in advance of our session to help you feel more at ease. Check out the list below for some great "chill" tips.

First, give yourself enough time to get ready and get to your session location (or, if your session is at home, to get the place photo-ready). Rushing is stressful, and stress shows in your pictures, which we definitely don't want!

Second, listen to your favorite music on your way to the session. Create your own karaoke experience and belt out the tunes that make you feel good. (Also, don't be afraid to ask if you'd like us to play some music while we take your pictures - it's amazing how much more relaxed everyone is when there's great music playing).

Last, but certainly not least...breathe. This day is about having fun and celebrating the next chapter of your journey. If you start to get anxious or tense, just take a few deep breaths and count to five. And, most importantly, if at any point you feel truly uncomfortable, let me know. We'll stop, regroup, and wait until you're ready.

This is an exciting time for you, and on the day of your maternity session, I want you to have fun. The tips above will help - and if you have any questions, I'm here to help!