Newborn Welcome Guide

Nothing tugs more at our heartstrings than the tiny little newborns we photograph. There is nothing more magical than the birth of a child. Capturing and preserving the tender innocence of your brand new baby is a privilege.

We understand that new parents have many needs and are very busy, especially in those first few days after the birth of a baby. However, one highly recommended is to have us come to your home for a newborn photography session. We don’t need to tell you how fast children grow from infant to toddler, and then before you know it, your child will be getting on the school bus. The moments click by almost as fast as the shutter on our cameras.

Life is all about memorable moments. What more significant moment can you think of than the birth of the very life that you created? We look forward to being part of your family’s essential newborn photo session as your professional photographer.


The process

Working with you

I begin working with you before your little one arrives. Although babies are unpredictable and not always born on their exact due date, that is the date I down on my calendar. That way, I have a general idea of when to start preparing. As soon as you can after your baby is born, shoot me a text or email, and we can find a day that works for you for pictures

I recommended having the session within the first couple of weeks of your baby’s birth, so we can capture those “newborn” faces and get those curly poses while they are still so fragile, innocent, and delicate. The most optimal time to schedule your session is during the first seven to fourteen days after giving birth because your little one will still be sleepy, tiny, and cooperative.

I take all my pictures on location. What does that mean for you? That you never have to leave the comfort of your home, because my assistant and I bring everything to your home. That is unless you would prefer to take your pictures at a park or family member’s home.

After your baby’s arrival, I will schedule your session, and we’ll talk about your vision for the images. Some parents like to use special meaning items, like baby booties or blankets that a family member made. With that said I will bring everything we need to photograph your baby. I wash all wraps, hats, and knit outfits after each session and sanitized all props. During these crazy covid-19 times, my assistant and I are both fully vaccinated, we always use hand sanitizer before and during the session and will of course be wearing a mask. Unless told by you that it is ok not to!

Please be prepared to sign a model release, as I often use the images within my portfolio and will not do so without parental consent. Most parents are more than okay with this, but if you do not want me to showcase your infant in my collection, please address any concerns you might have in advance.


Posing your newborn

Working with your baby

Posing is one of the most critical aspects of newborn photography. Posing an infant requires extra care and handling. I know that your baby is not fully developed, and I have years of hands-on experience handling newborns. With my background in child care for 20 plus years and ten years as a photographer, I have extensive experience.

I have also taken workshops with some of the most renowned photographers in the industry, like Kelly Brown, Anna Brant, Julia Kelleher, Erin Tole, and Rachel Vanoven, to name a few. My education in photography is essential to me, and I plan to continue it.

Your baby’s comfort and security are first and foremost, so we will be very patient; I don’t put time limits on the session to capture images. When starting a session, I always say we are baby time because it is all based on your baby’s mood. We take every precaution to ensure a very comfortable setting, both for the parents and newborn.

We take many of the same measures with twins or multiple, except please know the session will take more time. It can be challenging enough to get one baby to cooperate, and with two, it does require extra posing and handling. The outcome will be adorably worth all the effort.


5 Tips For Your Session

  1. Please wait to feed your baby until upon arrival so that he/she might be more likely to fall asleep after nursing.
  2. Have a pacifier on hand for your little one to suck on; this can help us get the shot quicker.
  3. Many of the images we take are “au natural,” but we don’t want your baby to be cold, so we bring a space heater in the winter. But you might want to turn the heat up a little or make the air conditioner warmer also.
  4. If you have any favorite outfits, such as an NFL team jersey, christening gown, ballerina tutu, etc., please have these on hand and let me know before shooting.
  5. For parents dress comfortably. You do not have to dress up. You can wear a blouse or a cute top if you wish to pictures taken with your baby. We can shoot the images from the waist up.

5 Wardrobe tips

You booked your newborn session. Now it’s time to get everyone’s outfits ready. The following are a handful of stylist-approved tips to consider when deciding what to wear for family photos.

1. Plan ahead

Waiting until the last minute, especially with photos, is a risk we don’t recommend making. Do yourself and your family a favor and plan out everyone’s outfit ahead of time. That will give you a chance to make sure everything fits everyone (essential with growing kids!) and is comfortable. Keep in mind you may be posing in different positions, so the outfits should be comfortable sitting, squatting, etc. Don’t forget to prep the clothes before the day of so they’re wrinkle and stain-free.

2. Consider your home décor

It’s safe to assume you’re going to want to display your family photos in your home. That’s why you should consider the color scheme of your home when selecting everyone’s outfits. For example, if your home is primarily decorated in neutrals, you likely won’t want to dress everyone in bright colors. Go with a color scheme similar to your home. That way, when the photos are displayed, it flows.

3. Stick with Solids

While patterns and prints can be fun, they can also be a distraction when we want the focus on your new baby in your arms. Focus on solid colors for the majority of the outfits. Solid colors tend to photograph beautifully and don’t take away from your beautiful family. To add some personality and dimension to everyone’s outfits, mix different textures instead of using a lot of patterns. If you want to add a pop of pattern, be sure it’s done in moderation and not included in every family member’s outfit. Be sure to use the other outfits to complement the patterns with solid colors.

4. Start with One Outfit First

Trying to style every family member’s outfit at the same time will lead to major overwhelm. Instead, start with one outfit and then another and another. The styling looks one at a time make it easier to visualize how the looks will complement one another.

5. Coordinate, Don’t Match.

Gone are the days of the entire family wearing the same outfit. Selecting outfits that coordinate rather than matchy-matchy gives your family a complementing aesthetic that’s much more modern. It also allows each family member to be an individual and stand out.