Mastering Newborn Photography: Top Tips for New Parents
How to prepare for a successful newborn session with me!
When your beautiful baby makes an appearance into this world, it will be time to prepare for a newborn shoot. After 10+ years of photographing newborns, here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way to help make this shoot run smoothly!
TIP #1 : WHEN TO PHOTOGRAPH
The best time to photograph a newborn is in the first 10 days of life when the baby is the sleepiest and the most malleable. The younger the better! All of those cute poses you see newborns in are only able to be done within those first ten days! On the day of, I will arrive at the appointed time during the day of your shoot. It should be decently early – between 9-11AM. The shoot can take up to three hours depending on how cooperative the baby is. Some babies sleep straight through and we are done in under 2 hours.
TIP #2: LOCATION
Location: I work mostly at clients’ homes so that the parents do not have to venture far and can stay comfortable in their own space. I mostly work with natural light, so attempt to have a spot by a window as the designated stage area for the photos. Try to keep clutter and mess away from that spot so it doesn’t show up in the photos. If the weather is warm, we can venture outside, but only if it is warm enough.
TIP #3: HEAT
Keep the house incredibly warm the day of the shoot. If you are not sweating, the baby is probably going to be too cold for naked (or partly naked) pictures. Make sure that you have a bottle warmer and diapers ready. It is likely that there will be some changing the day of.
TIP#4: TO SLEEP OR NOT TO SLEEP
Attempt to keep the baby awake during the morning as much as you can before I get there. Once I do arrive and begin to set up, sit down with the baby (only dressed in a diaper) and feed them. Once they are fed, they should be clean and full and will likely drift off to sleep. We can then begin.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:
I usually begin the session with family photos (if desired) and then focus on the baby’s solo shots. During that time, I work with at least 3 different poses during the shoot, but more usually come to me as we go. I can wrap the baby in special wraps that I will bring but if you would prefer to do the wrapping, you can. Just make sure that you work through the crying, because it will, without a doubt, occur.
I personally love light and bright and even patterned colors for family outfits at newborn sessions. But if you are feeling self-conscience about your body and want to look a little slimmer, I recommend the color black…it usually makes my clients feel more themselves. Also, if you want a picture with the baby naked, just prepare to be peed on. You never know what will happen with them.
I cannot wait to work with you and your little one!
xoxo,
Delaney
