What you need to know before your little one's studio photo shoot

Congratulations on the newest addition to your sweet family! These first few days & weeks are just so magical and it is such an honor to capture your little babe during this special time. Here are some tips & tricks I’ve found to be super helpful in preparing for your newborn session so it can be as successful, stress free, pleasant and enjoyable experience for a successful newborn shoot.

When to Get in Touch to Schedule the Session

  • Preferably, before baby is born. This will give us a heads up for approximately when you are due and insure we will have availability around that time. Once baby is here and things settle down, please send me an email to let me know your sweet baby is here so we can get a spot reserved for them in the studio!
  • Sessions take place between 4 and 21 days old. The sooner you can let me know baby has arrived, the sooner we can make sure you have some date options to choose from during the 4-20 day age range.
  • Sessions are on weekday mornings. Newborns are most sleepy & content earlier in the day. Depending on the day, sessions can start between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Because my weekends fill up with other types of sessions months in advance, newborn sessions are on weekday mornings unless I happen to have a rare Saturday morning opening.
  • Let me know if there is a certain set up or prop you would love me to use. Feel free to take a look at my website, Facebook or Instagram account & if you see something you want us to try, shoot me an email so I can have it ready.

On the Day of the Session

  • Stimulate & keep baby awake for an hour or so before the session. This helps make baby extra sleepy for the session & when baby can get in a deeper sleep, it makes posing & going from one set to another easier. A warm bath is a great way to do this as well as talking & interacting with baby while keeping he or she in just their diaper.
  • Feed baby right before the session. A full belly makes for a happy, sleepy baby. Feel free to come a little early to the studio to feed baby right before, especially if you have a longer car ride. Also, feeding baby as much as possible in the 12 hours leading up to the session will allow for baby to sleep as deeply and as long as possible.
  • Clean baby. clean away flaky skin and eye boogers on the face with a washcloth. 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.
  • Mom. A subtle application of makeup can soften your skin and accent your facial features. Neutral looking fake lashes can really flatter your eyes. I have a variety of wraps and gowns in the studio, but you are welcome to wear your own snug-fitting tank tops. Keep the color neutral and design simple. Be sure your nails are tidy and clean (no nail polish) as your hands will make their way into the images.
  • Dad: If you have a beard,sideburns, mustache, or goatee, please be sure it is trimmed and tidy. Look especially for wiry stray hairs. If you shave, be freshly shaved with a new razor, shaving cream and moisturizing after-shave lotion to avoid bumps and redness. Make sure your nails are clean and trimmed and please, no ball caps.
  • Siblings. Including older brother/sister(s) in your newborn’s portrait is the perfect way to document this fleeting time in your lives. Clean, clean, clean- clean nails, clean hair, clean feet, fresh scrub teeth, and wipe away eye boogers and snotty noses. The cleaner the child, the better their photos will turn out. If your child is still of napping age, make sure they nap before the shoot. It is perfectly okay to bribes, we try to keep the studio stocked with some snack items. Please let us know of any allergies. Avoid colorful drinks or lollipops within 24 hours of your shoot. Do not let them eat or drink anything that will stain their cheeks, mouths or teeth.
  • I recommend being able to have your older children leave once their photos are finished. I do family & siblings first. Sessions can last anywhere from 1.5-3 hours which can be a long time for siblings to wait, especially when the studio needs to be somewhat quiet. Have Dad drive separately or Grandma meet at the studio to take siblings.
  • Bring a pacifier, even if baby doesn’t use them regularly. Sucking is a soothing mechanism & can really help with settling baby once I have them in place for photos, even if I have to hold the pacifier for a bit to help.
  • The studio will be warm. Baby’s like being warm and having the heat cranked up (no matter the time of year), helps babe stay settled and sleepy. You are more than welcome to bring a change of clothes to change out of if you think you’ll get hot.
  • There is no need to bring anything for baby to wear. I provide all the wraps, headbands, hats, clothes & props. Unless there is something special you want to bring for your newborn’s photos, don’t worry about outfits. If there is something special you want to bring, be sure to let me know so I can work a set around it.
  • When baby needs a break, we’ll take a break. Don’t stress if baby gets fussy. If baby needs to stop to eat or have their diaper changed, we most definitely will. Most babies need to eat at least once during their session. It’s hard work looking that cute.

What to Wear

  • Go simple for family’s wardrobe. When planning your outfits for the family & sibling shots, stick with soft, neutral colors like grey or cream as the dominate colors. This keeps the focus on baby and the family connection.
  • Avoid neon colors. Vibrant, neon colors cast onto skin changing the color and tint of your skin.
  • For siblings, I recommend a classic, timeless outfit. Steer clear of logos and shirts with writing. Those can be distracting in photos as the eye immediately goes to the words or picture on the shirt instead of the sweet sibling moment.
  • I am more than happy to help! If you have any questions or want some inspiration for wardrobe or other help, please shoot me an email.
  • Sit back & enjoy the session. Not to sound super cheesy, but it’s true — this time is so fleeting, take it in! I want you to have fun watching your new little one’s first photo session. It’s going to be fantastic! I can’t wait!

Session Request and Studio Rules

  • Please do not bring any children not being photographed to the session.
  • No cameras/camcorders/any type of recording device (this includes cell phone cameras) are allowed during the session unless prior arrangement has been made between client and photographer, including a written agreement. The photographer will not continue if there are other cameras or videotaping during the session.                                                                                          
  • Please be sure that everyone is dressed & ready to be photographed prior to your session time. 
  • NO FOOD OR DRINKS are allowed in the studio. This includes candy/suckers. (except for baby bottles and certain baby snacks. Please ask me if you are unsure.)
  • Please do not allow children to jump or any like behavior on studio furniture.
  • You and your children are more than welcome to use our restroom; we ask that you accompany your child to the restroom to prevent any accidents.
  • Smoking/Vaping are prohibited inside the studio and the Justice building
  • Children are always to be supervised, please do not leave your children unattended outside studio doors or inside studio.
  • No running inside the justice building or inside the studio
  • Please ask your children to use inside voices.
  • Out of respect for other businesses on the floor and tenants located above our studio, absolutely no screaming, yelling, or unruly behavior will be acceptable.
  • No pets or animals are allowed in the studio or Justice building. No Exceptions.

IF STUDIO AND SESSION RULES ARE NOT FOLLOWED, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO END YOUR SESSION WITH NO REFUND.

COVID - 19 Protocols

  • Immediate family only, no guest will be permitted during the session. 
  • Each client is required to wash or sanitize hands upon arrival.
  • Your photographer will thoroughly wash and sanitize hands as often as possible.
  • Your photographer will be wearing a face mask throughout the entire session.
  • No Outside props will be permitted.
  • All props and fabrics will be immediately be sanitized and disinfected.
  • All surfaces will be wiped thoroughly with disinfectant before and after each client. 
  • When you are not being photographed we highly recommend that you or any adult family members also wear a mask

Please inform your photographer immediately if you have recently experienced any of the following COVID-19 symptoms.

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Dry Cough
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Chills
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Sore Throat
  • Recent Loss of Taste or Smell