Newborn Sessions:
Congratulations to you!!!
Thank you for allowing me the amazing and rewarding job of photographing your new baby in his/her first few days of life. I am truly honored to be able to capture this incredible time in your lives and look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby!
This newborn session guide will help you prepare for your newborn session.
WHAT TO EXPECT
For the baby, clean away flaky skin and eye boogers with a wash cloth. Trim those tiny fingernails and toenails with baby trimmers.
If your baby has any band-aids on the foot, thigh, etc., please remove them as soon as you possibly can to allow the imprint marks to disappear.
Do not change the baby’s diet the day before or during the session. Continue to feed your baby how you normally do (breast-feed, formula-feed, or both). Bring plenty of bottles! Your baby will need to eat more often during the session than they normally do. Do not make any sudden changes to the baby’s diet that may contribute to fussiness.
Before the shoot, please feed baby 2-3 hours prior and do your best to keep baby awake. I suggest giving a warm bath, let baby kick with only a diaper on, tickle their toes, and let them fuss for a little bit (no pacifiers) for the few hours beforehand. Recruit your spouse or family to help you with these tasks.
AT THE SESSION
When you arrive at the studio, be prepared to feed your baby. We want the baby to be full, content and sleeping after the feeding to ensure those curly, sleepy newborn pictures.
Be sure to burp baby really well after the feeding. Gas can make a sleepy, happy baby into an uncomfortable one in seconds.
Be patient. If your baby is fussy or alert, do not stress out. Your newborn can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. We will try and get them comfortable again, but if that does not seem possible, we will take a break or may even reschedule (at the photographer’s discretion).
Be prepared for messes of all kinds. Babies do not care where, when and who they pee, poo, spit up or vomit on. That is why I will be dressed in comfy sweats as I work and why you (if you want to be in the photos with your newborn) would want to bring an extra set of clothing.
As the session can take up to 3 hours, we provide beverages (water, tea and coffee) and some light refreshments for the parents, but do bring plenty of snacks for baby and for siblings.
Family Sessions:
5 TIPS FOR FAMILIES
Coordinate your outfits by finding a color palette you love and finding pieces that compliment one another. Avoid completely matching and black as your main color. Soft, muted colors and neutral colors look great for my style of photography, please avoid bright/neon hues.
Layer and add accessories with a hat, headbands, necklace, jacket, or vests.
Wear clothes that are fashionable, yet still functional for the location. Keep in mind we will be moving around!
When it comes to patterns, a good rule of thumb is have one or two patterned outfit for every three people included in the session. Floral prints, polka dots, plaids work great! Also, avoid large logos.
Shoes! Remember that you'll want them to be comfortable as we move around, but please stay away from character themed shoes, athletic shoes, and bulky soles.
If you are looking to purchase new clothes, my favorite is Old Navy, as they are very affordable, coordinate well from baby sizes to adults sizes and have timeless pieces that photograph well.
Other fun ways to get kids to smile versus saying “cheese”! Let them run around and have fun, hug and kiss on them. Allow me to interact with your little ones and pull those natural smiles out.
If you need something to keep your kids satisfied, bringing a snack is always a good plan.
Maternity Session:
Maternity:
Things to Think About Before Your Session
Best time to schedule your maternity session is 34-36 weeks. This is when you will have a nice little bump, but before you are too big to move comfortably.
Strongly consider having your hair and makeup done professionally. If you do your own makeup, please make sure that it matches your natural skin tone. Don’t put too much makeup on to cover up a blemish. It is normally easier to correct a blemish in editing than to correct too much makeup :)
Pay close attention to your nails. Many of the photographs will focus on your hands. Consider treating yourself to a manicure and pedicure, or convince your partner to help spruce up your fingers and toes so that they look picture perfect!
Consider how you feel about varying levels of undress in your photographs, and the final look that you want in your pictures. You need to feel comfortable enough to discuss this with your photographer. Please don’t hesitate to tell me if you are not comfortable in a certain pose or with a certain body part uncovered.
Things to Bring to Your Session:
Clothing for Indoor Studio Session
lacy panties - black and/or nude (nude is preferred, both is great)
strapless bra - black and/or nude (nude is preferred, both is great)
pretty bra and panties that make you feel sexy
Pre-pregnancy jeans - they do not need to button :)
men’s button down shirt
high heel shoes
tight fitting tank-top
slim fitting dress
pregnancy skirt that fits below the bump
favorite pregnancy outfit. Avoid busy patterns on all clothing.
dark jeans and a plain colored shirt.
Dad can wear dark jeans and a coordinating shirt. It does not have to match your shirt, but should be a coordinating color.
If older siblings are coming, they should coordinate with mom and dad. Male siblings should be in dark jeans and a coordinating shirt, and females can be in dark jeans and shirts, or dresses to match mom or cute tutus, etc… Cute t shirts with older brother or sister are items to think about as well.
Clothing for Outdoor Session
lacy panties or boy shorts - black and/or nude (nude is preferred, both is great)
strapless bra - black and/or nude (nude is preferred, both is great)
tight fitting tank-top
slim fitting dress
pregnancy skirt that fits below the bump
favorite pregnancy outfit. Avoid busy patterns on all clothing.
dark jeans and a plain colored shirt.
Dad can wear dark jeans and a coordinating shirt. It does not have to match your shirt, but should be a coordinating color.
If older siblings are coming, they should coordinate with mom and dad. Male siblings should be in dark jeans and a coordinating shirt, and females can be in dark jeans and shirts, or dresses to match mom or cute tutus, etc… Cute t shirts with older brother or sister are items to think about as well.
Other Items
Any accessories that will show your personality. Hats, scarves, jewelry.
ultrasound pictures
baby shoes
anything with baby’s name
any family mementos
any team jerseys, personal items, etc… that you want to incorporate
Anything that you can think of that you might want to use. It is better to bring it and we don’t end up using it than the other way around.