Congratulations!
You did it!!!
Bringing new life into this world is HARD, but here you are! Whether you're a postpartum mom reading this with a baby tucked in her arms, an expecting parent, a new dad wondering if you'll ever sleep again, adoptive parents marveling that your miracle is ACTUALLY here, IVF parents, first-time parents, or tenth time over parents...I am so proud of you!
Having the honor of documenting your newest family member for the first time isn't something that I'll ever get over -- even after hundreds of newborns!
Over the next few pages, I'll help get you ready for our session, along with walking you through my process so you can relax and enjoy this magical time in your life!
WHEN TO BOOK YOUR SESSION
The last thing I wanted to do when my baby was a few days old was leave the house, so I like to give new parents at least a week to acclimate to life with their baby.
Newborns' heaviest sleep weeks are before the two-week mark, so I've found the sweet spot for recovered moms and a sleepy baby is between 10-15 days.
Sometimes schedules (both mine and yours!) make that five-day window tough to catch, but don't worry!
I've successfully photographed babies as young as 2 days up to three months with modifications for NICU stays. Your baby is in experienced hands with me.
WHAT IF BABY DOESN’T SLEEP?
If you get to the session, and baby is ready to rock and roll...please don't stress! Newborns can have awake periods so we'll spend this time capturing some awake shots!
There is no such thing as a "bad" baby.
My heart breaks anytime I have parents tell me that previous sessions with older children resulted in a crying baby, an upset photographer, and stressed-out parents.
Over the next few pages, I'll walk you through my method thats worked for almost every single session I’ve done as well as some tips you can do as parents to prepare baby for the session!
WHILE YOU’RE AT HOME
One part to my method is having a baby who is ready to sleep. If you want to start the process before you leave, you can do your best to create an environment where your baby is NOT sleeping.
Some ways to keep baby awake:
Feed baby 2-3 hours before the session start time & then again before you leave for the studio!
After feeding, don't actively try to get baby to sleep--let them be awake!
If baby is fussing, you can soothe them--we don't want a crying baby!
This is a great window of time to give baby a bath! Not only will it keep baby awake, but it will fluff up greasy hair and clean off any grimy folds newborns can get around their necks!
Letting baby kick unswaddled in a warm room is a great way for them to wear themselves out!
BUT: if any of this is stressing you or baby out, please just let baby snooze and we'll still have an amazing session!
WHAT TO WEAR -
If you're a mom who has just given birth in the last few weeks, finding something that fits can be a challenge. My goal is to show you how beautiful you truly are - even if you don't feel it.
I highly suggest loose, flowy, and textured!
Whether it's a maternity gown you love, a favorite comfy sweater, or a color you feel beautiful in--bring it! Maternity jeans/leggings work well, the focus will be on you + baby.
Feel free to bring a curling iron, hairspray, and dry shampoo! I do family shots towards the middle / end of the session so you'll have plenty of time to get camera ready while I'm photographing baby only!
Please be mindful of your nails, as your hands will be photographed. Chipped polish, dirty or ragged nails will be noticeable in the images.
WHAT TO WEAR -
In the spirit of keeping this session stress free, I highly recommend dads go simple with their clothes. Snug t-shirts are the way to go, excessive fabric from dress shirts and collars can hinder posing tiny babies in their dad's arms.
Don't worry about any "dad bods", because first and foremost all bodies are good bodies, and secondly, the focus is mainly going to be elbow and up with a heavy dose of cuteness happening in your arms!
Like with mom, please be mindful of dirty or ragged nails! Filing and scrubbing them will ensure your hands look great while holding your baby!
WHAT TO WEAR -
For family photos to stand the test of time and not look dated, pick classic pieces from your children's closets or head to target and buy clothes that match your family's personalities and complement each others' color choices.
Everyone wearing the same color/shade can look too matchy-matchy, don't hesitate to email me with outfit ideas in the days before your shoot! If you need help or inspiration, I can send suggestions.
Again - avoid clothing that is too large and skirts and dresses that are too short without bloomers.
And same with mom and dads...please make sure your children's nails are clean, trimmed and have no chipped nail polish!
BRINGING ITEMS FROM HOME - DO’S & DONT’S
I love incorporating personal items and family heirlooms into sessions! But not all items are actually appropriate sized for tiny babies!
DO: bring a special receiving blanket or prop!
DON'T: bring "newborn sized" crocheted hats or diaper covers from big chain department stores (amazon). Spoiler alert: they aren't newborn sized.
If there's any specific themed prop you're interested in, let me know and I'll check to see if I already have something we can use, OR point you in the right direction to buy something that photographs well!
DO: bring a helper if you need to! Grandparents are welcome, along with nannies and babysitters!
DO: bring a bottle if you've done any bottle feeding. One bottle of pumped milk or formula could make a huge difference in baby's sleepiness if a full belly is what will help them stay in a deep sleep!
DON'T: stress if you haven't bottle fed baby and prefer to stick with breastfeeding! You're doing great!
MEETING UP!
If you're coming from out of town, take 31 to CO E 100 S, take that exit down to goyer make a right and then the first left on Saratoga. Once you reach the park turn right onto Cadillac and it will be the house on the corner of Pontiac and Cadillac!
1813 Pontiac Drive Kokomo, Indiana
If you have any trouble at all please reach out to via text or call at (765) 480-8147
The house will have a white camper in the driveway, if that helps!
ARRIVING TO THE STUDIO
When you first arrive at my studio, plan to feed baby IF you live close to my studio try to feed baby before you leave home.
Here are some tips for arriving at the studio and what to expect!
Before feeding baby, please have baby only in their diaper! Feel free to swaddle them with a blanket while they eat if needed!
Secondly, the newborn studio will be HOT - 75-80º, if you get hot my dining room is right next to the studio, feel free to hang out in there!
We provide bottled water, snacks, & coffee for anyone who needs it during the session! Feel free to help yourself to anything you need! If you need ANYTHING AT ALL, please just ask!
GETTING SET UP
While you're getting baby ready, I'll start pulling set ups to use for your little one's session! If there are any images of mine that you love, please whip out your phone and show me! We can recreate them or just get an idea of the style you love!
If at any point I pull out a prop, hat, headband or color that you aren't 100% in love with, let me know! This entire shoot is about what you love and will have to remember this time in your life forever!
DURING THE SESSION
Once we're done setting up and baby has a full belly, it's time to start taking photos of baby!
If baby is awake and happy, I'll be sure to document the many expressions that newborns make. Remember, babies can be awake for a bit, so instead of trying to instantly soothe your baby to sleep (essentially giving them a nap to give them more energy!), we'll spend some time unsoothing your newborn. Which is basically just a term for allowing baby to kick & look around to wear themselves out!
If unsoothing lasts too long, I may have you feed baby one last time when they start to get sleepy - this will ensure a full tummy while I photograph them over the remainder of the session.
DURING THE SESSION
After baby falls asleep, either right away or after some unsoothing, I'll start working on baby only photos!
I typically do 1 backdrop color on the posing bag, then family photos, and I finish with a few prop shots and macro (close up details of fingers, toes, face, etc.) BUT if you have siblings attending the session, I like to do family first so the kids don’t have to wait and another parent/care giver can take off with them if you’d prefer so they aren’t forced to sit in a hot room for hours.
While I'm used to the room's heat, and unclothed newborns prefer warmer temperatures, I understand that not all adults enjoy spending up to three hours in a hot room! Feel free to watch through the dining room, just be sure to leave the curtains mostly closed to keep the heat from escaping!
FAMILY PHOTOS
I leave family portraits for the middle / end for a few very important reasons:
First and most importantly, babies tend to sleep easier when wrapped or being held - both of which happens during family photos. If we "waste" this sleepy time at the beginning, baby is getting energy saved up for a potential long awake time. This could waste time and compromise photos. BUT if you have siblings, I do tend to do those FIRST as explained above. This ONLY pertains to sessions without siblings!
This gives time for parents to change and get ready to have their photos taken!
THINK ABOUT WHAT STYLE YOU WANT FOR YOUR FAMILY SHOTS
Do you want a posed shots on the gray, cream, white, white with curtain backdrop, or backlit, or a more lifestyle feel with my "lifestyle corner"? All of these are styles I love, but it's important to choose one that fits your family's vibe!
Please do note, the Lifestyle Corner is floor seating BUT if you love it & want to stand I can use some of the props on my white with curtain look or I have a nice wooden bench that photographs beautifully with it! Feel free to ask to see it!
ALSO, if you’ve already filled out your questionnaire, it is NOT TOO LATE to change your mind on the setup. Just let me know by the day before your session!
I have the very best job in the world.
And what I've found throughout the last 4 years of photographing newborns is that it's not just about taking pretty photos of pretty little babies.
It's about being there for new parents, and making this one day a relaxing one - not adding to your stress, but giving you a break to sit back and really marvel at this little life you've been chosen to be the parent of.
I hope the memories during the shoot are as beautiful as the photos you'll have as heirloom images for decades to come.
If you have any questions before, during or after your session with me, please don't hesitate to ask!
A little note to add, I LOVE behind the scenes images... Those are encouraged! Feel free to whip out your phone and take as many photos and videos as you'd like, I just ask that it have me in it or the studio setup itself to really show “behind the scenes” & I’d absolutely love it even more if you shared these with me.
Or relax and use me as your glorified babysitter while your little freshy's gets their first photoshoot!
