Tips for Parents to have a Successful Newborn Photography Session

1.Try to keep your baby awake for at least one hour before the photography session. 

For newborn sessions, I like to put babies in the cute little poses where they are curled up or placed in buckets, baskets or bowls. When babies are sound asleep, I am able to get these poses much easier because they are nice and relaxed! A couple tips we suggest to keep babies awake is to give them a nice long sponge bath a hour before the session. Another tip is to ride next to them in the car to the session to help keep them away so that when they arrive to the studio they are ready for a nice long nap!

2. Feed your baby right before the session

• Besides a sleepy baby, a happily content baby with a full tummy will allow for a successful photography session. We tell our parents to feed their baby full right before they come to the session (although this is not our most preferred method because they will want to fall asleep).
• Our favorite option is for parents to arrive to the studio and then take all the time needed to feed their little one until they are full and happy and ready to take a long nap. We ask them to come about 30 minutes early, settle in and feed their little one till they are full, happy and sleepy!

3. Do you have any specific requests, style, or props you would like to use? 

• I love creating images that are unique to each family. So if you have a specific style you like, or colors you prefer, or even props you would like to bring, please let me know ahead of time so I can set up your session ahead of time to exceed your expectations. Some families bring a sentimental item like a blanket or something related to their favorite hobby. I love to get creative, so if you have an idea, let me know!

4. What should we wear? (The most popular question we get)

This is the most popular question I get from parents as they prepare for a photography session with us. I try to keep it very simple and say wear what makes you feel comfortable. We have a couple of suggestions though…

• Wear solid colors, and avoid patterns as we do not want them to be distracting in the picture. Our favorite colors are grays, white and creams, however I  honestly want you to wear the colors that represent you and your family well. Our suggestion is to pick one or two colors and then coordinate different tones of the colors together. So mixing light and dark gray together.
• Moms have just given birth and struggle with what will look best. We again want them to be comfortable, but don’t come in your comfy sweatshirt. 😉 We love the look of bare arms, but completely understand again if moms do not feel comfortable showing off their arms just yet.
• I also have a few dresses that moms can borrow for their picture with their little one. I have included two of my favorites below as well.
  

  5. Working with Siblings, especially toddler siblings.

  This is one of the most challenging parts of newborn sessions for parents. Moms and dads are so wanting that beautiful sibling picture, but they are wondering if they super energetic two year old is going to let them get it. We have a couple tips for parents to help prepare.

• I will suggest we do family pictures and sibling pictures FIRST to start off the session.
• Bribery! Yup. We believe in bribery for photography sessions. Bring their favorite (non-messy) treat or toy to give them an incentive to smile or snuggle their baby brother/sister to get that adorable image.
• Patience! This is the biggest one. Parents are already sleep deprived and an energetic toddler not obeying can be difficult at a photography session because moms and dads just want that beautiful photograph of their sweet babies together. Parents feel bad and think they are making the photographer wait to long in case their child is not cooperating. As a mom myself, I totally get it. I am happy to take a 5-10 minutes if needed to help children take a minute for a snack or drink and try again.
• My studio is at my home property, and the inside studio area is small. So I  suggest that big siblings and dad take a drive to Plainwell (4 miles away) for lunch, a donut at Sweetwaters, or even visit Plainwell Ice Cream for a treat while I work with your newborn. Toddler and dad can play outside or take a walk on our dirt road as well. I just ask that they do not go into our greenhouse shed in the backyard or try to open the doors to the vintage truck in the backyard as the doors do not open and close properly anymore.

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  6. My studio. 

  I love my garage studio. I have had a large retail studio for almost 20 years and thrilled to finally have my business at my home. That being said, there are some things to know…

• The address is 244 Spruceview Drive Plainwell, MI 49080 :: We live on a dead end dirt road in the woods. Our home is located about 1/2 mile down the road on the right side. There is a large rock at the end of the driveway, our home is cream with white shutters. Please pull up to the far right garage if there is not a space there, you are welcome to park in front of the attached garage. The studio down is on the side of the unattached garage, there is a short walk way between the garages to get to that door.
• There is not a bathroom in my studio. So please come with empty bladders if possible. I completely understand new moms may need a bathroom, so if you do during your session, please let me know and I will finish the pose I am doing with your little one, and then I will escort you into my home to use my bathroom. My house and garage are not attached but are right next to each other. If you toddler needs to use the bathroom, that is just fine, we will just stop the session and I will escort you into my house for the bathroom.
• There is a small sitting area with a mirror to do finishing touches if needed. That area can also be used a changing area if you need some privacy. I also provide a changing table and baby wipes if needed.
• You are welcome to bring water bottles and non-messy snacks for your session.