5 HELPFUL TIPS FOR A RELAXED NEWBORN PORTRAIT SESSION
Every parent wants to enjoy as much of the newborn stage as they can for as long as possible. We are so keenly aware of the time slipping through our fingers. We want to savor every chubby cheek, lip quiver, those tiny toes and fingers. We know that they will only fit in our arms for a short period of time. And before we know it, they will be off for their first day of kindergarten, their 5th grade play, their high school graduation. It happens in the blink of an eye. This is why so many parents come to me for their newborn portrait session. They want to freeze time, even if only for a moment so that they will always remember that feeling of wonder and awe as they gazed at their newest family member for the first time.
Your newborn’s first portrait session should be a time of excitement and wonder. But parents often find themselves overwhelmed. You’ve been preparing for baby’s arrival for so long, the thought of even one more task can feel like climbing Mount Everest. But with a little planning and an expert to lead the way, you will be able to relax and have an easy and stress free photo session.
Book Your Photographer Early
Most newborn portraits are taken within a very small window of time. Usually 6-14 days after baby is born. And for good reason.
After the two week mark, your baby will become more alert. This means they are more difficult to pose since they are more likely to wake up. In addition, after having time outside of the womb and continuing to grow at their regular pace, most older babies lose the ability to curl up into some of the more traditional newborn poses. And while I’ve happily photographed babies as old as 6 weeks, there are some photographers who won’t even consider booking a baby older than 14 days!
This means that you will find that most newborn photographers book up early. We have a limited window in which to get those photographs. We also know that babies arrive on their own schedule. Sometimes they come early, sometimes they come late. So most of us will only take a very limited number of newborn clients each month to make sure that we are available after baby arrives. By scheduling your newborn portrait session early, you can be sure to get the photographer whose work you LOVE rather than the one was simply available.
Prepare to Be WARM!
Babies do not regulate their own temperature well. They also like it warm. Remember, they were floating inside Mom who runs at a steady 98.6 degrees all the time! So your newborn photographer will likely be working with a space heater and no air conditioning to ensure that your baby stays warm and sleepy. It gets toasty! But this way when we change baby into a different outfit, or do a nude or diaper only pose, that your little one doesn’t feel a burst of cold air on their skin and wake up. I have yet to have a newborn session where I wasn’t sweating and more than little gross by the time we finished up.
It’s usually not too uncomfortable for parents. Just wear lightweight clothes, and be mentally prepared to be a little extra warm for a couple hours.
Pack the Necessities
Your newborn portrait session may very well be your first expedition out of the house. Knowing what to bring can feel daunting. You’ll want to pack the following:
A few extra diapers and wipes.
Extra breast milk/formula if you are bottle feeding. Your baby may end up eating a bit more than usual during your session to help them soothe and ensure they have a full tummy.
A pacifier. Even if baby does not take one regularly at home, it can be helpful to keep them calm during their session.
An extra top or outfit for Mom, Dad, siblings. Being spit up on, pooped on, or peed on comes with the territory, and photoshop only does so much.
Entertainment for you and any siblings. Newborn sessions are long (2-3 hours). Bring books, a tablet, snacks. Make yourself comfortable while baby steals the show!
Ensure Baby Has a Full Tummy
Ideally we want baby to have a nice big deep feed minutes before the session begins. This helps ensure that easily fall into a deep sleep. This may mean changing up babies routine slightly for their big day. If they are giving you their hungry cry an hour or two before their session, consider trying to give them just a little bit of milk as a snack to help stave off hunger. Then try to wait for a big feed till closer to the start of your session. And though I mentioned it above, it bears repeating, if you plan to bottle feed, please bring extra breast milk or formula. Sometimes they go on an eating spree, sometimes they spit up. A baby with a full tummy will make your portrait session run way more smoothly.
Keep Them Awake
We want baby to sleep during their photos for those adorable squishy baby images. In order to ensure a sleepy baby for newborn portraits, it’s a good idea to try to keep them awake beforehand. Usually an hour or two of awake time does the trick. This is a great time for a bath, to sing songs to baby, or cuddle or tickle them. Giving baby some light sensory time helps keep them awake and alert. And as a bonus, this also helps them adjust to their new daytime/night time sleep schedule.
Voila! Sleepy Baby and Gorgeous Images!
The best advice I can give parents preparing for a newborn portrait session, is to do your best to plan ahead of time, but be willing to go with the flow day of. Babies can sense our anxiety. They don’t like it, and it makes them anxious too. Try to maintain peace and calm throughout, and let any small bumps in the day just roll over you. Your photographer is a pro, and has seen everything before. Colic, diaper blowouts, gassy tummy. There’s nothing your baby will do that we don’t have a few tricks to help handle. Nervous about safety? Ask questions! Your photographer should be happy to share information with you about the setup, and how they keep baby safe and secure.
Do you best to just enjoy this time! Bring a book and just zone out (or sleep!) for an hour knowing your baby is in good hands. Or simply watch and try to take it all in. Before you know it the day that you pick them up and hold them in your arms for last time will be here. The moment will flicker before you, and be gone just as quickly. You may not even know it was the last time until it’s gone. So enjoy the new baby smell and how they feel in your arms. Cherish their warmth and their long lashes and chubby cheeks. Newborn portraits are a wonderful way to keep those memories long after they’ve grown up.
Jessica Ryles specializes in newborn photography in the Northern Virginia area. She works in Aldie, Centreville, Chantilly, Gainesville, Fairfax, Manassas, Reston, and Tyson’s Corner. To inquire about your own session, please fill out the form on the contact page, and she will be in touch to design and customize a portrait session for you and your family.
