1. It is best to schedule the photo session within the first ten days of bringing your new baby home. Once you’ve had your little one for about a week, you will have a better idea of what the nursing schedule looks like. It is best to feed the baby at the same time as the photographer’s arrival to the photoshoot (with a fresh diaper on). The goal is to wrap the baby when he/she is nice and full, but BEFORE he/she falls asleep after nursing.

2. Give yourself and your little one some grace. Every newborn is different; therefore, every newborn session is different. I will assist in wrapping your new baby in a tight swaddle (specifically size for newborn photography). However, not every baby will fall asleep during their session. I encourage everyone yo be as flexible as possible and even have an extra onesie set aside if the tight swaddles aren’t working. An awake baby is still just as cute as a sleepy baby, as long as he/she is content!

3. As mentioned earlier, I will bring my collection of newborn swaddles, bows, hats, etc. However, if you’re planning on purchasing a different outfit or onesie, I recommend avoiding outfits with words on them. It’s almost impossible to photograph the baby in a way that will show all of the text.

4. Please set the temperature in your home to be at least 80. I know, this might be a bit warm for the adults. But if the adults are not sweating, we are not doing it right. This session is all about the newborn, so we need to make sure s/he is cozy and warm during the entire photoshoot. Wrapping the baby will help with this! Also, if there is a spot in your home that you feel doesn’t get warm enough, please let me know when I arrive.

5. Since multiple rooms are used throughout a lifestyle session, it is helpful if you can tuck away any clutter ahead of time!

6. When we begin the photoshoot, I will create a number of scenes that involve the entire family. If there is an older sibling, I will try to include them as much as possible! I like to include all of the siblings in the beginning of the shoot, so they are free to go and play for the remainder of the session.

Bringing a newborn home can be a tremendous adjustment for an older sibling. It is important for us to make the older siblings feel just as important as the new baby throughout the photoshoot. I might sometimes ask the older sibling to be my special helper, or even incorporate a few sibling photos in their room. It also helps that their bellies are full, and they’ve had a good rest beforehand.

7. Have some water bottles and snacks available for mom (and other little siblings) during breaks. We definitely want to keep the new mama hydrated! If we need to take breaks for additional nursing, do not stress out as this is totally normal.

8. Please allocate 2-3 hours for this lifestyle session because the little ones can be so unpredictable. Luckily, because this is a relaxed environment, we can work around how the baby is feeling.

9. There will also be time allotted for individual photos of your newborn during this session. If the baby falls asleep right away, we will do these right at the beginning of the session.

1. SOLID, NEUTRAL COLORS WILL GO A LONG WAY. There is a reason for this! The light colors (creams, whites, grays, ivory, and pastels) bring out the best skin tones and do not take away from the natural beauty of your newborn. Lace can photograph beautifully. On the flip side, a black top can show every speckle of dust or lint.

2. COORDINATE, DON’T MATCH. Not every member in your family should be wearing the exact same color top. It’s okay to put the older sibling(s) in a different solid color or print for some contrast. A thick texture, such as a floral or plaid works great, but stay away from prominent logos, graphic tees, and any writing on clothing, as it will be a distraction in the photo.

These family milestones are such a precious time in your lives. I feel so blessed to be the photographer that gets to capture these moments!!