Why Prepare? My most people's standards, newborn images are best taken of deeply sleeping babies. Not only do the images come out "better" but it is more comfortable and safer for the baby. Following these easy tips can help increase the chances of getting more images you'll love.
Tip 1
Keep Your Baby Awake By Feeding Just Before You Leave
Try to keep baby awake and alert for the hour before your session. This is usually done by feeding. Give a full feed and try not to let your baby fall asleep until they are FULL. When the baby is fully fed, put them in the car seat, and leave immediately for the studio. They will fall asleep in the car and that is OK. If they are still asleep when they get here, I will try to start taking images. If they wake up hungry, be prepared to feed them again. You will probably feed at least twice during the session.
Try This: Babies do not like their earlobes gently tugged, or the bottom of their feet touched. Doing these things may keep them awake a bit longer.
Tip 2
Watch What You Eat
If you are breast-feeding, try to avoid spicy foods and caffeine for the 36 hours before your session. Babies are sensitive to changes and their little bodies will also react to the substances in milk.
TRY THIS: Pumping breast milk, or bring bottles of formula can be very convenient during a shoot.
Tip 3
Try A Bath
Many babies find a sponge bath soothing. If they are not sleepy after eating, try giving your baby a sponge bath just before you leave for the studio.
Dress Your Baby Carefully
We don't know if your baby will be super sensitive to touch and posing or not. To prepare, dress your baby in LOOSE clothing that is easy to take off. Try not to snap every snap. Make it super easy to get off. If you can, dress in a loose shirt and loose diaper /pants. The less we have to fuss with the baby's clothes, the more likely they will remain sleepy. Onesies, while convenient 99% of the time, are actually very disruptive to the baby when undressing for a photo session.
Tip 5
Bring a Pacifier
We understand that not all babies use a pacifier. But if they do, it can help tremendously to soothe your baby and get them calm enough to be posed in those adorable props.
Tip 6
Pack The Night Before
Getting anywhere on time with a newborn is quite a feat. Babies pick up on stress. So make the morning of your shoot easier by packing your diaper bag as much as you can the night before. Babies almost never behave the day of the shoot they way we think. Packing in advance will allow you to soothe a fussy baby and not worry if you are forgetting anything.
Tip 7
Bring Clothes For You and Your Husband To Be Photographed In
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
You Can Rock Your Newborn Shoot
Fine-art newborn photography yields beautiful images you will cherish for generations. But images like this do not just happen. We have to do everything we can to prepare, calm and soothe the baby so they feel safe, secure and comfortable. Just 20 minutes of preparation the night before, and a few tips the day before, and your baby will be good and ready for their newborn photo session.