One of my favorite sessions as an Arizona photographer are my newborn lifestyle sessions. There is something seriously so special about capturing you and your family at a special time! I love being the one who gets to document this time in your life. Nothing is more beautiful to me!
Today’s post is going to be full of tips for your newborn lifestyle session. I know you’ve been through a lot in the past weeks (and last 9 months!) of your life. Hopefully this post will help relieve some stress as your prepare and to know what to expect!
Newborn Session Tips from an Arizona Photographer
1. Feed the baby just before our session
The best thing you can do to prepare for our session is to have a well-fed baby. I know this may not always work out perfectly with your feeding schedule, but if you are able to figure out a way to feed just before we start, baby will be so much happier!
2. Have white noise in the background
One thing that I have found to be very soothing to babies is white noise. White noise is just background sounds like the sound of a fan, airplane, etc. Your baby lived inside of your noisy body for 9 whole months! Playing white noise typically is such a comfort to them.
3. Bring a change of outfit (or two)
This tip is especially important if we will have our session at a studio or some place other than your home. Since newborns are known for their frequent dirty diapers and blowouts, make sure to come prepared!
If you would like your baby photographed wearing more than one outfit, that is totally okay with me. I know many moms love the look of a little tutu on baby girls but I always encourage them to also bring a more basic, simple outfit too.
4. Bring your favorite blanket or swaddle
During your newborn session, we will do shots with baby swaddled and not swaddled. I prefer a blanket that is tight fitting and holds baby’s hands and arms snug. Having a blanket can come in handy if your baby is a little bit fussy, too.
5. Bring any clothing items, toys, or stuffed animals that have special meaning to you
Often times families are given family heirlooms like clothing, toys, or stuffed animals when they welcome a new baby. These items can make for some precious photos and add extra meaning to your photos.
6. Have an adequate amount of natural light
Having natural light is crucial to getting bright, clean, and crisp images. If you’d like to have your newborn session at home I would encourage you to keep track of when there is the most natural light. If your home doesn’t have a lot of natural light, I would strongly encourage renting a studio for an hour session. While it would add on an extra fee you will be so glad you chose to do so.
7. Expect that your baby is going to be fussy
Chances are that during our session your baby will not completely cooperate. That’s totally okay! We do not have to rush through the photoshoot. Please know that as a mama myself, I totally understand. It’s best to come ready knowing baby may give you a little bit of a hard time! It won’t matter though, because we can still get some gorgeous images.
8. Don’t worry about your baby’s acne or flaking skin
As a newborn photographer, I am grateful for the gift of editing software! It is totally normal for newborns to have baby acne, dry skin, or scratches. I will do my best during the editing process to get rid of these problem areas while maintaining a natural look.
9. Do not expect baby’s siblings to participate the whole time
Often times new babies have older siblings- toddlers. Toddlers are funny, unpredictable, illogical humans 😂 I would encourage you to talk with your toddler ahead of time to let him/her know that you would like him/her in the photos. Plan a reward for that child. Ask a grandparent or aunt or uncle to come to the session, too. Having someone they know poking their head behind me can oftentimes be a game changer.
10. Embrace your motherhood
Having a new baby is life changing. There is nothing like bringing life to this earth! You, your mind, and your body have been through a lot. Give yourself grace and recognize how amazing you are. Do not hold back on the snuggles, kisses, and cuddling during our shoot!
If you are expecting a baby and looking for a photographer to capture your family, feel free to send me an inquiry here. I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Each of my newborn sessions come with a session guide that goes into even more depth of what to wear and what to expect.
xoxo,
Nicole
