Newborn Session Information
Hello again I’m so glad your back, that means you booked in and I get to have squishy cuddles with your newest little member of your tribe yay!!
Below is some helpful information about my sessions, and what you can expect in the time we spend together on this mission to capture you some stunning images that will remind you in 20 years time how tiny this little human once was.
Thank-you for entrusting me to photograph and handle your baby. Not only have I had two children myself but I handle several babies each month and am very careful and patient with them. I never force a baby to do anything they seem resistant to. Having the parents relax during the session is key as babies feed of their parents energy. If you are anxious then they have a hard time settling down as well.
Newborn sessions are typically 1-2 hours long. Sometimes we finish earlier and sometimes run over. It all depends how your baby is feeling that day. I recommend not scheduling any other appointments immediately after your session.
I ask where possible you arrive at the studio with a hungry bub, I’m not asking you to starve your baby of course just give them a small feed if needed within an hour of your session. In an ideal world you will come into the studio, I will strip off your bub and you will feed your baby until they fall asleep. This way I don’t have to undress them when they are in a deep sleep and wake them.
Please bring a pacifier as they help to get babies to sleep and soothe them. If you have one (even if your child won’t really take it) please bring it to the session as it may help me. I always pull the pacifier out before taking photos. I recommend Gumdrop pacifiers (Available at chemist warehouse) I have some that I like to use just for the session if you forget to bring some. They come sterilized and individually sealed and don’t leave too much of an imprint on babies face if they have a good suck on them. If you do not plan on using pacifiers that is ok but please be aware that if your baby is really unsettled it may affect the session, when unhappy babies will move which can cause blurring of hands and feet in the images, they really do help calm a fussy baby.
Clothing for the rest of you
Clothing - If in studio bubs will be wrapped so just an outfit to and from the studio is needed. The rest of the family think coordinated like a wedding not matching. Avoid prints unless its a maxi dress and no big pictures or logos on the boys t shirts. Where you can pick block, neutral or pastel colours as the studio is a white background. Outdoors or in your home you have much more leeway based on the colours of your surroundings.
I have a very helpful what to wear guide and samples which you will receive in a couple of days. If you get really stuck lay your outfits on your bed and send me photos :-) yes really!!Please do try and iron your clothes.
TIP: Keep all outfits ready before you leave for you birth. That way once you are back home and tired you don’t have to concern yourself with it.
Also do bring a spare shirt for both of you and Dad as babies do pee/poop and accidents happen. Also I’ll have spare blankets in case of accidents, and there are always are a few so please don’t stress on that happening.
There is something about the photographic process that makes newborns extra hungry so please bring extra formula or expressed milk and be prepared to nurse more than normal. With me poking and prodding bubs they don’t get much of a deep sleep so they think its food time much more often than they would at home.
Wear layers you can take off to my studio, it will be a constant 26-28 degree in the studio to keep baby comfy so at some stage you will likely need to lose layers, especially with all your hormones going crazy.
If you have other kids where possible its best to have Dad take them out and come back later as they get bored and restless. If Dad needs a break he too can leave and come back for the family after a couple of hours. It tends to feel pretty warm in the room.
If your baby has a clogged tear duct, which means there is a crusty discharge around one eye, here’s what I recommend doing. Take a few drops of expressed breast milk and put that on the eyelid to help clean the eye. Breast milk is safe to go in the eyes and is anti-bacterial so also helps with infections. Once the milk has softened the discharge you can wipe it away gently. If your baby has this issue please try and bring some expressed milk for this purpose.
It is said some foods you consume when breast feeding can give your baby gas or tummy pains. If you find your baby really unsettled feel free to review what you have been eating against this list to see if it might be what is effecting bubs.
Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes, spicy food, citrus fruits, broccoli and beans.
Newborn babies tend to get pretty red and sore on their bottoms since they are not used to wearing diapers. Something that helps soothe that is putting a little olive oil or corn flour on their bottom before putting the diaper on. This helps with cleaning of the meconium as well. Letting them air out their bottoms will also help.
Newborn sessions are a lot more of feeding, snuggling and soothing than they are photographing, so just expect lots of down time. I will look after your little one apart from breast feeding, so feel free to bring a good book and sit back and relax or take a nap on my couch. This of it as a 2 hour break for you :-).
You may want to bring additional food for yourself and your other children as sometimes sessions go on through the lunch hour.
Babies cry- it’s their way of communicating. If your baby fusses it could mean a number of things. I have experience that helps me know if they are hungry, uncomfortable or just not happy to be moved whilst sleeping. I like to work as a team with the parents to keep baby happy and safe
Did I mention before I will likely get pooped and weed on, it happens most sessions I’m completely used to it. All my blankets and wraps get chucking straight in the washing machine after a session so please don’t let it stress you out if it does happen. Its TOTALLY OK!
LIFESTYLE SESSIONS IN YOUR HOME
For lifestyle type sessions in your own home please follow most of the above steps with regards to feeding and preparing your baby.
I ask that you keep the main room we will be working at a balmy 28 degrees warm. Turn space heaters on and keep the room door closed at least two hours prior to me getting there if you don’t have regulated heating, I generally pick the room with the most natural light to work in, the we visit your nursery and your own bedroom.
If you have any questions or concerns please ask away that is what I am here for…
