Preparing for a Successful Newborn Session

WHEN TO PHOTOGRAPH:

 

Newborn sessions are recommended to be done before 2 weeks of age  (preferably between 4-7 days) while they are still in that sleepy and curly stage.  After two weeks of age, they tend to be disturbed more easily while sleeping and it is not as easy to get the true newborn poses and look.  They can also become colicky or baby acne can start to flare.

 

In order to ensure that the newborn session runs as quickly and as smoothly as possible, please follow these steps:

 

1. If nursing, try to avoid eating anything spicy (ie. pizza, hot sauce, etc) or anything that will cause gas and might upset baby’s tummy for 24 hours preceding your scheduled session. A gassy baby will not pose well during the session due to their little tummy being upset.

*Some other foods that may cause gas are dairy products- milk, cheese, yogurt, pudding, cream, or any food that has milk, milk products, casein, whey, or sodium casein it, as well as foods with caffeine, soy, fish, peanuts, chocolate, wheat, beef, nuts, eggs, corn, or citrus fruits.

*If baby happens to be gassy the day of your session, Oval or Gripe Water can be used to help ease baby’s discomfort.

 

2. Interact with and keep baby awake for 1-2 hours before your session to ensure he/she is good and sleepy for the session. This is very important. Without this, we spend too much time getting them to sleep and not as much time photographing them.

*Stimulating baby with a bath or by doing ‘naked time’ prior to the session are some tricks that you can use!

 

3. Please make sure your little one has a full belly for the session. Please feed baby just before you leave for the studio. I have many clients who arrive at the studio saying that they gave baby a small feeding about 45 minutes ago and need to feed baby upon arrival. Baby usually wakes up during this feeding at the studio and has trouble falling back into a deep, restful sleep. If baby is bottle feeding, please bring extra bottles and milk (formula or breastmilk) -  (babies work up quite the appetite being constantly moved around in the warm studio). Also, baby should be fed as much as possible in the 12 hours that precede the session. This will allow for baby to sleep as deeply and as long as possible.

*A full baby = a sleepy baby, and we need a very sleepy and calm baby in order to achieve the sweet, flexible poses you see in my portfolio.  I may ask you to ignore a strict feeding schedule for the 2.5 hours at the session. The only way we will achieve calm, flexible poses is if baby is fully satiated and sleeping. I would rather have you give baby an extra feeding than have you worry that baby isn’t sleeping and we’re missing out on some cute poses.

 

4. Dress baby in loose fitting clothes to avoid any lines on baby’s skin and to also avoid disturbing baby when getting undressed. A simple sleeper is best. Please avoid onesies or anything that has to be pulled off over baby’s head.

*Your newborn may be photographed in his/her birthday suit but we pay careful attention to ensure baby bits are not exposed in any photos. 

 

5. Bring a pacifier – they can be very helpful during the session even if you don't plan to use one.

 

6. The studio will be kept at about 80 degrees to keep your little one warm while being photographed. 

 

7. When you arrive, please leave baby in the car seat when bringing him/her into the studio. I will remove baby very slowly in the warm studio to avoid disturbing them as much as possible.

 

8. Remove all bandages (from shots, etc) from baby’s skin at least one hour before arriving to the studio. These bandages cannot be removed in post processing and, if left on, will show up in the final images.

 

9. What to bring (for baby) diapers, wipes, warm blanket, pacifier, bottle of formula or breast milk (for mid session feed.

 

ADDRESS:

My home studio is located at 75 Magnolia Drive #4, Hamilton, ON. 

Parking spot #4.
You can reach me at 905-517-7667 or by email info@swoonphotography.ca