1. Try to keep Baby awake for an hour before the session, move he/she around, change clothes, if he/she is old enough, give a bath or sponge bath…tire baby out. I know this is hard if you are traveling more than 30 minutes away…so don’t worry if baby falls asleep.
2. If you live less than 10 minutes from the studio, you can feed the baby right before you leave the house.  Be sure to dress the baby in something that is easy to remove, so that if they are asleep when you arrive we can try to move them directly from the car seat to start photographing.  If baby is due for a feeding right when you are leaving, see if you can hold them off until you get here. Then we can your find him/her right when you get here and baby falls asleep here.
3. If the baby gets hungry on the way to the studio and you are less than 10 minutes away, I recommend that you don’t stop to feed him.  It may be a little painful to listen to him cry, but I promise he will be okay.  Plus, the crying will get him a little sleepier!  Once you get to the studio he will be ready to eat and ready to sleep!  There will be a rocking chair and a boppy waiting for you!
4. As mentioned above, dress the baby in something easy to remove, a zip up sleeper or onesie is suggested.

The session should be very relaxed for you!  Don’t worry…sometimes it takes the baby awhile to fall asleep.  We are very patient and know it may take awhile for baby to sleep. Please feel free to bring an ipad , laptop where you can access the internet on our wifi, or a book and don’t forget to bring some snacks for yourself.

What to bring:

• Plenty of diapers and wipes – diapers come on and off several time during the session!
• Plenty of formula or be ready to breastfeed.
• An extra change of clothes for the parents just in case your baby showers you with spit up or another bodily function.   Dress light, the studio is kept really warm for the baby!
• Snacks for siblings and parents. – the session can take hours.
• Bring siblings dressed for session so we can start with them first with baby.

What to wear (for the family):

There are several different options of clothing combinations for the family.  For great for a soft, natural look that puts all of the attention on the baby and the relationships we suggest beige/whites/tans/grays. When in doubt take a peek at previous sessions featured on blog and website.

A few more important tips ….

• Nursing moms should avoid spicy foods (or any food known to upset baby) 24 hours before the session.
• Make sure your baby has a full belly prior to the session or be prepared to feed baby right when you get here in our private changing/feeding room.
• Dress your baby in a button up or zipper up sleeper; anything that has to be pulled over their head should be avoided.
• Have multiple clean pacifiers handy.
• The area I shoot in is typically kept warmer than normal, so parents should dress in layers on the day of the shoot.
• This is your time to relax and let Paula do her “baby whisperer magic”; relaxed parents equal a relaxed baby – which will give us lots of those sleepy poses.
• If the baby is sick, definitely reschedule the photo session for when he or she is feeling better.

What to wear (for the baby):

•  Baby is best photographed down to just a diaper cover, newborn wrap or one of our very cute custom newborn knitted outfits, all which I have in the studio.
• In the studio we have tons of baby hats, head bands, wraps and diaper covers ( which are washed after each session)
• If you have a special outfit that you have, yes please bring it. We can definitely photograph your baby in it. Its best to have your baby try it on before the session. Sometimes those 0-6 months outfits will not fit until they are actually 6 months.
• Also if you have any of your own hats or headbands, please confirm those fit as well. For baby girl headbands, make sure the flower or decor on the headband isn’t any bigger than your baby’s eye. Sometimes those big flowers etc are so overwhelming on baby, you only see the headband because its so big.

Siblings

 I love including big brothers and sisters in newborn sessions. There’s nothing more sweeter than watching them kiss, hug and snuggle with their new sibling. We will  start the session photographing them first along with newborn and parent.  I know that 15-20 minute window of patience kids 4 and younger have. Please bring them dressed for the session as well. You don’t want to loose precious time changing clothes on a stubborn 2 year old. Then if you have a friend, parent another family member available, have them take them home. Then we can just focus on baby. If baby feels the stress of their siblings who are bored with the session, they may not sleep. Younger siblings especially this will be suggested. Older siblings have a bit more of a time window of patience. We do have a tv and apple tv where we can put on their favorite show with snacks while we continue to photograph your new baby.

Pets…please include them too. We love to photograph those big sisters and brothers in newborn portraits. Whether you bring your pet to our studio, I come to your home or we have your session outdoors. Pets are so important to your family, so I love to have them be part of this special session.

If you just want baby photographed, that is completely fine too.

We hope you find this info helpful for your newborn’s first professional photography session.

Are you ready to book your session or need more info please contact me here paula@paulaswift.com

I’m looking forward to photographing your new baby very soon.

Paula Swift, M.Photog., Cr., CPP

paula@paulaswift.com
978.261.5266

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