Newborn Session Prep Guide!!
The first few days of a baby’s life are so magical and incredible! Being able to freeze those moments for you is such an honor for Dallas, Newborn Photographer, Lily Hayes so I thought it might be helpful to write down how parents play a important role to a successful, pleasant and enjoyable experience for the successful newborn shoot.
So…. lets get started!
Let’s Pencil You In!
I highly recommend booking your newborn session 4 weeks prior to your approximate delivery date. This ensures your newborn scheduled date for that week so that no once else will be booked. I only take a limited amount of newborn shoots a week in the so that every parent is giving my full creativity and attention to there little bundle of joy.
Birth Day!
Yay!! I know you are just excited as I am to capture those little tiny fingers and toes while it last! Once you and baby have been giving the green light to go home, please contact me right away to schedule a date and time for your newborn session. Typically newborn sessions have to be done within the first 10 days of birth. After the 10 day mark, newborns have discovered the art of stretching! Once that happens…they won’t let us curl them up in the cute little newborn poses, without a fight! But even after 7 days there are some newborns reach that milestone a little to early, than we have expected (as my two young boys did) so I would recommend the earlier, the better!
Location, Location, Location!
Newborn sessions take place in mind home-based studio. Studio solely designated for a newborn and toddler sessions only.
Sleepy, Hungry!
Babies do very well in the studio for posing when they are in deep sleep. To encourage this I highly recommend, stimulating the baby at least two hours before your scheduled arrival, a warm bath always does the trick. We need your bundle of joy to be exhausted, tired and a bit hungry. I know it will be hard, atop of your own sleep deprivation but I promise you, it will be well worth the effort!
Once you arrive, you will feed/nurse right away and now we have a (“milk drunk”) baby!! A well feed baby is a happy baby! Also please feel free to take as many breaks as needed for baby to refuel. It’s tough being a model!
Poop Whisperer!
That I have been called many times (no lie) but no worries, it happens! This is completely natural for babies to use blankets or props as there own personal potty. Please don’t feel embarrassed, I reassure you it happens more times that I can remember. Know, I have two young boys on my own so not long ago, it was there never ending mission to make mommy there own personal potty! Have a concern about sanitation? Don’t worry I wash all used props and blankets after each newborn session with non-scented detergent.
Shhh!
Please do whatever you can to keep the noise to a minimum during our session. Maintaining a calm environment is also a big key to a successful newborn shoot. I do have a white noise app that I will keep close to baby during the session to help soothe him or her. Babies love strong and rhythmic sound. Amazingly! that’s the sound the heard 24/7 in the uterus!
Regulate the Temp!
Since babies are usually photographed naked, the studio will be set at a temperature of 80F to ensure baby is warm and comfortable. If we’re not sweating, it’s probably not warm enough for baby! Parent’s please make sure to wear comfortable loose clothing. I will provide water and your more than welcome to bring snacks.
Safety!
Safety is my utmost number one top priority when handling your baby, so either mom or dad will be my spotter/assistant. All eyes and hands are to be kept around baby during posing. During the session I will be handling and posing baby, but don’t worry I have plenty of experience handling a newborn (don’t know if I mentioned I have three boys of my own!) I will hold and care for him or her as if they were my own, I promise!
Newborn Session Prep Guide!!
Mom, Dad I know this can be a very exciting and stressful time for you, especially when adding sleep deprivation in the mix! As much as my goal is for baby to be comfortable, I also want you to be comfortable and at ease! Having me photograph this precious moments for you, means a lot to me so anything I can do to make it a smooth journey for you, please don’t hesitate to let me know!
Again thank you for giving Dallas, Ft Worth based Wedding, Portrait and Newborn Photographer, Lily Hayes…the opportunity to capture these unforgettable memories for a long time to come!
