I have prepared some tips and tricks to help get your newborn portrait session off to a great start! Keeping baby warm and well fed is key to keeping them comfortable and willing to pose for me. But even awake baby shots are fun so no worries if your little one doesn’t take to sleeping right away.
Newborn Photography sessions are best done in the first 2 weeks following birth.
Arrival at the Studio
My studio is located at 709 N Delaware St. Independence, MO 64050. It is a residential home that is used exclusively as my photography studio. Street parking is best right in front of the home/studio. Once you enter the studio, I will have you take baby out of their car seat and hold/snuggle them to try and keep them asleep. If baby is awake, we can change them into one of my neutral color -Seventh Generation- brand diapers. Then we will head into the newborn posing room which will be heated to around 80 degrees.
Family Portraits
If there are older siblings in your family, we will start with sibling and family shots then once those are finished I will photograph baby alone. My studio is pretty comfortable for the older siblings to hang around after the family portraits, but if you wish, you can have a helper (Grandparents are great for this) take the older children home, or sometimes even dad and the older kiddo(s) want to skip out if you bring a 2nd car.
If this is your first baby, we usually save family and parent shots for the end and start with baby’s portraits first.
Full Tummy
It’s best to start on a full belly so feeding baby right before you head my way is best. I do anticipate feeds during the session, but this will help get us off to a good start. If baby is nursing, please consider bringing some bottles of expressed milk.
Pacifier
Use of a pacifier is extremely helpful when posing. If you do not use one, please consider using one if only during the session. I will have clean/sanitized pacifiers if needed.
Heat, Heat, Heat!
This is perhaps the biggest, most important factor in keeping baby happy besides a full tummy. Baby’s love to be snuggly and warm and will settle and pose best in a warm environment.
In my studio I keep the room very warm. I do use a space heater and parents are welcome to step outside if they get too warm.
What should Baby wear?
Bring baby dressed in a zippered or snap sleeper so we don’t have to pull anything over their head while undressing. Baby will typically be wrapped, partially wrapped or in a diaper for the majority of the session. I do have a selection of rompers and simple outfits that are available to use or you may bring something special that you have chosen for the baby to wear in some poses.
What to wear
If you or other family members plan to be in some portraits with baby, light and neutral tones photograph amazing in images. Bright colors tend to cast color onto skin. White and Ivory are my personal favorites! Try to avoid scarves and large chunky necklaces as I pose baby close to your face.
Moms, get dolled up! Wear a beautiful dress that you feel stunning in, it doesn’t have to be too formal. I love long, flowy organic and boho inspired dresses, but wear something that suits your taste. Have your hair and makeup done! Newborn portraits are a once in a lifetime event and you want to be sure to look your best!
Dads, wear a button up collar shirt or a polo. Slack, khakis or even jeans will work perfectly depending on how dressy mom is.
What to bring
If you have any blankets or props (headbands/hats/wraps/baskets/buckets, etc) that you wish to use, please bring those along!
I often include parents hands in images and poses, please bring or wear your wedding bands!
Please bring gas drops and/or gripe water!
If baby is nursing, please consider bringing some bottles of expressed milk.
If you are not breastfeeding, please bring plenty of food for the baby.
Session Fee
The session fee is due at the time of the session. Check, cash or Venmo is preferred if possible.
