How to Prepare for Your Newborn Portrait Session

This preparation guide will help your session go more smoothly.  If you're unable to follow any of these guidelines, please don't worry!  I'll do whatever it takes to ensure that I'm able to capture those timeless images you are envisioning, if that means patiently rocking your little one for 30 minutes or taking several feeding and cuddling break, that's perfectly ok!

Before the Session

*Please give your baby a bathe the day PRIOR to the session.

*If you are breast feeding, try to avoid anything spicy or gas inducing (i.e. pizza, spicy sauces, garlic, broccoli, high fat foods, ect.) that might upset baby's tummy for 24 hours preceding your scheduled session.  It's best to stick to a relatively bland diet for those 24 hours.

Day of the Session

Please do your best to keep your baby AWAKE for 2 hours before your session.  This is very helpful!  I know this can be difficult, so all I ask is you try.

If possible, please have a bottle of formula of breast milk ready for the session, along with a pacifier.  Babies eat about TWICE as much as normal during the session, because they are being moved and touched and are adjusting to a new environment.  So plan to have plenty for them to eat.  I understand that many mothers are trying to avoid pacifiers, but I hope you will consider that they are so useful in soothing a fussy baby back to sleep an helping the session go smoothly for you.  You will feed your baby a FULL feeding when you arrive at my home, prior to posing, so please try to schedule your baby's day accordingly.  But please know that the Baby is Boss here, so we will do whatever is best for baby.  Dress baby in loose fitting clothing to avoid any lines on the skin,  A onsie that opens in the front is best, as it avoids having to lift anything over baby's head and disturbing them.

During the Session

My home will be warm during the session so that your baby remains comfortable.   There may also be a small space heater to keep your little one warm.  Please dress in layers so that you can remain comfortable during the newborn session.

Newborn sessions generally take around 2-3 hours.  If a toddler is involved or if baby is having a hard time, it may take up to 4 hours. I recommend having no more than yourself, your spouse/partner, and any children who will be photographed.  My home is small and too many people can make for a challenging creative environment and be distracting.

*No Cameras (including Phones) are allowed during your session*

I understand that this is a momentous time in your life that you want to capture.  However, I work very hard to create unique artistic images for you, including very unique items that I create by hand, just for your session.  Please respect the work and time that I put into your session.  Extra cameras(or phones) can be very distracting and create an uncomfortable situation.

Please be respectful and kindly refrain from taking pictures during your session.   You will see all of your final images very soon.  Trust that it will be well worth the wait!