10 ways to prepare for a Successful Newborn Session

10 ways to prepare for a Successful Newborn Session

As a Newborn Photographer, preparing for a Successful Newborn Session means to have great communication with the New Parents.  After Photographing hundreds of newborns over the last 9 years, I have discovered some helpful tips on how to prepare for a Successful Newborn Session.   Read below for 10 ways to prepare for a Successful Newborn Session.

#1 – One of the Most Important Tips for my New Parents is to have your Newborn Photographed within the first 5-10 days.  There are several reasons for this early session.  A session in the first few days can save a new mom a lot of stress.  A Newborn is much sleepier in the first few days.  After 10 days, baby acne and dry skin can begin as well.  These can be avoidable with scheduling a session earlier.

#2 – If you are nursing, please avoid certain foods 24-48 hours before your newborn session.  The foods that you need to avoid the most are citric acidic foods and drinks, spicy foods, and gassy vegetables. As well as foods with a laxative effect like prunes and cherries. Foods that fall in these categories are the most likely to cause your baby to become gassy. You also want to avoid drinks with caffeine such as soda, coffee, and tea. The caffeine in these drinks can conflict with your babies sleep, and cause them to be fussy.

#3 – Some moms don’t realize that we want our Newborns sleepy during the session.  This helps us to capture all the cute Newborn poses you see on our website.  Try to interact with your baby 1-2 hours before coming to my studio.  This will leave them exhausted during our session.

#4 – Its important that you plan to feed your newborn in the studio.  I have allotted enough time in our session for this feeding.  Please adjust your newborn’s schedule so you can feed just before the session starts.  A sleepy baby with a full tummy means a successful Newborn session.   Feeding your newborn as much as possible 12 hours before the session will also help.

#5 – Bring a pacifier to your newborn session.  This is the most important tool I use during a session.  A newborn can get fussy with all the moving and posing.  A pacifier helps to soothe the baby and keep them calm.  I promise, you won’t regret it.

#6 – Newborns are mostly naked during our sessions, so our studio will be warm.  I suggest to all who are joining us to dress in layers so you can remove clothing if its too warm.

#7 – Bring an extra set of clothing.  Our Newborns are generally naked during family portraits.  Sometimes parents can get wet or even pooped on.  An extra set of clothing can come in handy.

#8 – Plan your Family Portrait ahead of time.  If you want to hang a Family Portrait in your living room, decide which background will compliment your Living space.  Plan your clothing ahead of time.

#9 – Get a manicure (Sometimes dads need them too) – We generally add mom and dad’s hands into the portraits.  Neutral nails are generally best.  Classic and timeless will look nicer years from now when you are looking through portraits.

#10 – What is your end result from your session.  Are you interested in a beautiful wall collection with several images?  Are you focused on an album to pass down to your little one in the future?  Planning ahead helps us to know what we are shooting for.  If you want a wall collection, then we need to photograph your newborn with colors from your nursery.  If we are looking at placing a portrait in the living room, then we need to use more neutral colors for a living space.  Communicating about your home and needs are most important for a Successful Newborn Session.  If you are interested in seeing more about my Wall Displays, visit my post.

Atlanta Maternity & Newborn Photographer

We specialize in Maternity and Newborn Photography.  For more Atlanta Newborn Photography or Maternity portraits, please visit my Newborn  or Maternity gallery.  For bookings and information on maternity, newborn, family and children photography sessions contact me via contact page or call directly 404-289-6383