Newborn Prep Guide
Hello, and congratulations on your new baby! I'm so honored that you have chosen me to document this special time in your lives. Newborn sessions are some of my most favorite work that I get to do, and I can't wait to love on you and your little one.
What to expect:
Sessions last between 2.5-3 hours
I keep the studio super warm so baby is comfortable being undressed
I have an awesome sound maker that mimics a "shushing" sound. It's magic and helps keep baby super sleepy through our session
Expect to have to feed baby on and off during the session
I will provide any needed diapers
You are more than welcome to sit by the bean bag and watch the session
How to get baby ready for his/her big day:
The morning of our shoot, please feed baby 2-3 hours prior, and plan on feeding him/her just before you leave for the session. Dress baby in something that is easily removable. Something that does not go over the head like a zipper sleeper. Also, please do no let him/her sleep beforehand, instead try washing his/her hair (do not give baby a bath. I have found that baths tend to make babies more flakey than normal. But if they are flakey, don't worry! It's part of what makes them special), let babe kick with only a diaper, tickle toes, and even let baby fuss for a little bit (no pacifiers) for the few hours beforehand. This will ensure those squishy, sleepy newborn pictures!
I can't stress enough that it's so important to do your best to keep baby awake if you can.
I want to make this experience as stress free for you as possible. The things I've listed above help the session flow better, but try not to get caught up in being "perfect". Every baby is different, and that's one of the things I love about this job. They each have their own unique personalities, and it's amazing getting to know their little selves. Try to follow these to the best of your ability, but it's ok if things go differently for you.
What to wear?:
For family and siblings photos, my style is very raw and simple. Please plan to have siblings wear white t-shirts/spaghetti strap tank tops and khaki or jean pants/shorts. For moms, please wear a white tank top. For dads, please have him wear a white t-shirt. I highly recommend bringing these items and changing into them when you get to the studio. This helps prevent against getting them messy beforehand. And it provides you with something to change back into in case baby messes on your shirt during the session.
When you get to the studio:
If baby is super sleepy when you arrive at the studio, I will take baby out of their car seat, remove their clothes, and the session will begin. If baby wakes during this time, I will probably ask you to feed them and get them nice and milk drunk. Once baby is super sleepy, we will get started.
Mom and dad are free to relax at this point. Baby is super safe and comfy while I work with them on my bean bag. You can also pull up the ottoman and watch, or even take a nice nap! I will let you know if babe needs anything from you. I want babe's family to be super comfortable while he/she is rocking their session.
After the session:
It usually takes me between 2-3 weeks to edit your photos. I do like to edit one image for a sneak peek on my facebook page either the day of our session or the day after. Feel free to share that image from my page with your family and friends! Once your images are finished, I will upload them to PASS and email/text you the link. From that link you can download the images or print them through my professional print lab. If you choose to print the images yourself, I highly recommend using mpix.com. I also sell canvas prints if you are wanting to hang your images in your home.
Thank you so much for choosing me to document this special time in your family's life. I can't wait to meet your newest little love.
If you have any question, please give me a call or send me an email.
Helpful links for new moms:
Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline: 1-877- 271-6455