Welcome to the complete inside look at what a newborn session with Goldie Lynn Imagery is like! From the initial consultation to the final delivery of your images, my goal is to make every step seamless and enjoyable. Starting with a detailed planning appointment, we’ll tailor the session to your unique style and preferences, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision. I will guide you through every step of the way. Keep reading for an inside look and details on each step of the process for a newborn photography session!

Consultation / planning appointment

All sessions include a planning appointment. This meeting is important for multiple reasons, but most importantly, it eliminates a majority of the mental to-do list that comes with doing a newborn photography session. There are several things that we will cover during this meeting and I’ll make sure we go over all of the important topics and specifically answer your questions.

Click here to see photos and details about the studio in our beautiful downtown St Joseph!

What to expect

We’ll start with going over session details.If you’ve never been through a studio newborn session, or even if you have, then you might not know what all is involved in just the session alone. A few important things I like to note that makes a studio newborn photography session different from a typical session are: 

• The best time for your newborn session is between 8-16 days old. 
• Newborn sessions are longer in time. Usually 2 ½- 3 ½ hours and start at either 9am or 10am.
• The studio is kept very warm to keep your newborn comfortable. Especially because they may be naked for portions of the session. Expect the room to be around 76℉. 
•  Everything is baby led and nothing is pushed on your baby. If they need to eat at any time we pause and do not rush the process. 
• I have an assistant so parents are able to relax during the session and just watch. 

If there are siblings involved we will start with family photos. This way big siblings can leave the session after and don’t have to sit around through the long session. Parents find it much less stressful that way. If there are no siblings involved then we will end the session with family portraits.

Planning the session

When it comes to the planning of your session there are a few things that I’ll ask you to consider before we jump into the fun part of colors, props, and bows, etc. Such as “What are your long term goals for these photos?”

Of course, you want to be able to remember these moments years down the road! But, how do you see yourself enjoying these memories? By flipping through an album? Putting some up on the walls so you can have daily reminders? Do you prefer a box of prints that can be easily accessed? Knowing this is very important to the planning process – especially if you are wanting to display these photos in your home. I want to make sure the styling, colors, and other elements come together to match your home and look as best as possible on your walls.

Some typical questions I might ask are:

• Do you have a nursery theme you want to incorporate or be coordinated with? 
• What would you describe your home’s decor style as?
• Do you lean into more warm toned colors or cool toned colors in your house?

After we’ve gone over those questions we’ll start to talk more about what colors, props, poses, etc that you love. I’ll show you my portfolio and ask about what you might want to include in your newborn photography session. We’ll go through the studio for you to see everything that is available. I’ll help with coordinating colors and giving my professional recommendations.

If you have any special items you’d like to include in your session we will also discuss that. While you wont need to bring anything a lot of families like to include personal touches. This rocker, for example, was specially made by this baby girls great grandpa!

I’ll walk you through the process of working with me from consult, to session, to selecting your final images and products. I’ll show you samples of all products on the pricing menu and go over that menu with you as well. The studio has a large selection of hand picked heirloom products for you to select from to store your memories forever and enjoy for the long run.

You’ll leave your planning appointment with a welcome packet that includes a physical copy of everything we went over, reminders, your newborn session prep guide, and a copy of the pricing menu.

In between

There really is very little to nothing you need to do between your planning appointment and newborn session. If you and your family do not already own solid black or white shirts then you will need to purchase those. My favorite places to purchase those for the whole family are Gap , Amazon, or Target online! I’ll hold your due date on my calendar as a placeholder for when your baby does arrive. Once your baby is born you’ll get in touch with me to get an actual session date set. Otherwise we just wait until your baby is born! I’ll send a reminder to go over your prep guide a day or two before your session.

If you’re considering bundling and doing a maternity session and/or family & milestone sessions down the road I would love to chat with you about my memories membership. It includes lots of amazing discounts on session fees, pricing menu, and even free product! Visit my investment page for more details or contact me today!

Day of your session

The day of your session you’ll arrive and we’ll start with makeup. I’ll have coffee ready for you and your partner. While you’re getting makeup done I will start photographing your newborn. If we have older siblings then we’ll do family portraits first (siblings and dad while you finish makeup.) Otherwise I will start with your newborn right away!

Throughout the duration of your session please feel free to relax and kick back on the couches and chairs available. My assistant is there so you can relax knowing your newborn always has a spotter and extra hands at all times.

After your session

2-5 days after your session you’ll come back to the studio to go through the images with me. We’ll start with a slideshow so you can see everything we captured that day. I will assist you in going through your images and selecting which you’d like to purchase and how you’d like them printed.

I can also do wall mockups of your session images. Using photos of the walls in your home I can create scaled to size mockups. Together we can make a plan for a display that you know will look amazing.

Delivery of your images

Your digital gallery will be delivered within 1-2 weeks of your order appointment. Download instructions will be included. Your physical prints and products will be delivered within 1-2 weeks from delivery of your digital gallery.

Are you ready to book your newborn photography session?

Are you ready to book your newborns first photography session? Do you have more questions or want to come in for a complimentary session? Get in touch with me today through my contact form and I’ll get back to you within 48 hours. I can’t wait to chat!