It’s not uncommon to feel anxious leading up to the day of your newborn session. To combat those anxious feelings I do everything I can in preparing for your newborn session to help you be able to walk in the morning of your session feeling confident and without any doubts or uncertainties. This guide is going to walk you through some important steps that I ask you to take in order to set us up for success from the moment you walk into the door. A lot of these things will have been covered already in our design consultation but I want to make sure you have an easy resource to look back on and refer to.

If you haven’t yet hired a newborn photographer and are looking for one read this article to see some tips on finding a newborn photographer thats best for you and your family.

Preparing your newborn

To help prepare for your newborn session I do ask that you read over the following:

• Fully feed your baby right before leaving for the studio. If you are driving more than an hour then you’re welcome to feed upon arrival instead.
• Please avoid having any diaper cream or ointment showing on the baby’s skin the morning of your session. If you are using it regularly, please be sure and clean any off prior to your newborn session.
• Please remove any and all bandaids from your baby prior to your newborn session.
• The morning of your session, dress your baby in a loose fitting outfit that zips or snaps up the front. Please do not use tight socks. This helps prevent any clothing lines, and so I won’t have to pull anything over their head or face. We want minimal disturbance.
• Even if your baby doesn’t typically use a pacifier, I still ask that you bring one to your session. It’s a great distraction for your baby while I am posing them. It also helps keep them sleepy and soothed when switching from pose to pose. Please bring a soft pacifier such as the Soothie brand but please remove any clips or stuffed animals prior should they be attached. Pacifiers with hard outer shells leave marks on the baby’s face which we like to avoid when possible.

During your newborn session

During the session there will be very little, if nothing at all, required of you or your partner. My assistant will be there to help spot your newborn and ensure all safety measures when my hands aren’t physically on your newborn. There are still some things that you can do to prepare for your newborn session to help it run smoothly.

• If there are siblings that are going to be a part of the session, the best method is to have them come at the beginning of the session while we’re doing family portraits. Toddlers especially have a hard time sitting quietly through a newborn session. Parents find it much less stressful when one parent or a friend/grandparent cares for the child most of the session and they are only in the studio for their portion of the session. If you need to bring any children with you during the session however please know that it is okay and they are welcome. I have toys, books, and other distractions but I still advise you to bring some personal items that will quietly distract them throughout the session. You’re welcome to bring food and snacks into the studio.
• In preparing for your newborn session I set the studio and environment accordingly. That means a very calm and peaceful space. The more relaxed everyone in the room is, the more relaxed your baby will be. For me this means a warm studio to keep your baby comfortable (they may be naked for parts of the session.) My assistant is there to make sure your baby is safe at all times and give me extra hands, and me pulling out my baby whispering skills. For parents this means relaxing and letting the magic happen. (I even have two couches in the studio if you want to take a nap!)
• During your session please refrain from taking pictures over my shoulder. You’re welcome however to take behind the scenes shots – which I love! If you take behind the scenes photos I would love to be tagged if you share online!
• Expect my patience and attention to detail to rule the day. I spend a majority of the session perfecting poses, backdrops, fingers, etc. I believe those little details make the difference between a snapshot and a work of art featuring your baby.

What to wear | Moms & Dads

Undoubtably the number one concern I have from moms specifically is stress about how they will feel and look in their photos. As a mother of two myself I understand that the postpartum phase is hard. When it comes to the family portraits my focus is to show you how beautiful you are, and showcase the connection between you and your newborn. To help in preparing for your portraits during your newborn session please consider the following:

• To help keep the focus on you and your baby and create truly timeless, not trendy, images I suggest you keep your outfits very simple. I recommend a simple black, white, or grey tank top/short sleeve for mom, and a matching plain t-shirt for dad with jeans. Portraits are taken up close so most of what you are wearing will not be seen. We don’t want what is shown to be a distraction in your photos. My favorite place to look online for a wide range of options for the whole family is Gap.
• Moms please arrive with a clean, makeup free face for our makeup artist. You’re welcome to follow your regular skin care routine. Avoid using too much hairspray, soft hair photographs best with newborns. Your hands will be visible in the photos. Please either remove any nail polish prior or paint all of your nails the same neutral color. Avoid long earrings or necklaces. We want the focus to be on you and your baby!
• Dads if you’re wearing a brand new t-shirt please iron out creases in advance. If you work with your hands please scrub fingernails and hands as much as possible to remove any staining where you can. Other than that, just relax.

What to wear | Siblings

Any siblings that are taking part in the session will be photographed both with just baby and together with the whole family. To ensure safety sibling portraits will be taken on the floor laying on a fuzzy rug.

• Please have your children in matching color (to you and each other) tees or tanks with jeans and bare feet. Please remove their socks and shoes at the start of the session to get them comfortable and used to it.
• For little girls you’re welcome to use accessories but please keep them small and neutral colored.

Studio Information

If you haven’t read the above yet…. please go back and do so! If you have, then great! You’re ready to rock your newborn session. My studio is located at 613 Edmond St. Saint Joseph, Mo 64501. Street parking outside of the studio is limited to 2 hours (you will likely be here longer than that.) There is a large parking lot less than a block away on the corner of Edmond and 6th street. If for any reason you have trouble finding me please give me a call. I can’t wait to see you again and meet your little one!