Below are a few things to do to prepare for your upcoming in home newborn session. While I do as much as possible to take everything out of your hands and provide a seamless experience, having your help with the items below will make the session flow much easier.
Warm up the house. This can mean turning down the AC in the summer or bumping the heat up in the winter. We want the house a little warmer than usual so baby stays comfortable and sleepy while wraps are being changed or while being photographed naked. If you are a little warm / hot… then the house is at the right temp. I will bring a small space heater as well to use for posed shots.
Feed baby right before our time together. You can even wait until I arrive because it will take me a bout 15-20 minutes to check out the lighting in the house and set up. We want the baby to nice and full when we start the session so they are happy and sleepy.
Have baby in a diaper and wrapped in a blanket when I arrive. This way if they do fall asleep while eating we do not have to wiggle them out of clothes to get them ready for photos.
I will bring all wraps, outfits and props for the session (baskets, crates, hats and a posing bag). Please have anything you would like to include in your session ready as well as pacifiers to help soothe baby.
Lastly, plan your wardrobe for the session as soon as possible so you have time for adjustments or to purchase something needed. I always suggest for parents and siblings to dress in soft neutral colors (light blue, pale pink, white, gray, navy, cream). Small patterns are great, but try to avoid large prints and screen prints and logos as they can be distracting. For moms, jeans or solid leggings and top or a maxi dress photograph well. For dads jeans and a solid t-shirt or button up look nice. Try to keep colors cohesive so the photos are aesthetically pleasing. We will discuss wardrobe during pre-shoot planning call as well options from my client closet.
I look forward to capturing this special time for you and creating some beautiful artwork for your family.
I am so excited to share another artist with you from across the country. Rosa Clark is a San Luis Obispo Family Photographer and she is sharing all about preparing kids for a family photo shoot. Please read her great ideas and give her some love.
Valerie Eidson is an Asheville Family Photographer specializing in families, children and newborns.
