Your newborns’ photography session should be an exciting time! Parents often find themselves at a loss on how to prepare themselves and baby for this big moment. After 4 years of photographing newborns, I know that time and patience is the key to getting any newborn to sleep during a session. Sometimes it can take 2 hours before I see those little eyes close. To ease my client’s worries that they will still have a successful session, I have lots of tricks to capture all of your sweet babies’ expressions. Even if they are mid-cry!
First, parents, we need your help! Schedule your session ahead of time. Prior to the baby being born, book a local photographer. We will track your due date and keep in touch with you in the weeks leading up to the babies’ grand entrance. Once the baby is born, send us a quick note so we can schedule your session. The optimum time to come in is between 5-14 days old. Next is session day… KEEP BABY AWAKE! We understand that their new sleep patterns don’t always coincide with our session time. If you want to get those adorable sleepy poses keep them up as long as you can before the car ride to the studio. Also, let baby snack on milk prior but not have a big meal before the session. Save that feeding for arrival after we have prepped baby for their first pose is ideal. After all, what is cuter than a milk-drunk baby- nothing?!?!
Rest assured parents, if the baby is not cooperating in a milk-drunk slumber, please relax knowing we have backup plans, and trust me that I am filling your gallery with beautiful portraits of your little one! Wrapping babies will help them feel nice and cozy. Bright-eyed and a half or fully wrapped have been some of my very favorite shots! For those who have envisioned the sleepy shots, we can cheat a little as all babies’ blink and I am able to steal that little moment into the perfect picture. Above all, have realistic expectations. We never know what the session will be like because ultimately it will be up to the baby. Wrapped, naked, eyes open, closed, crying- these are all the moments you want to not only remember but have captured in your little beginning moments of life. I would be honored if you trusted me to photograph their precious expressions!
