What to consider when booking your newborn session.
When planning your newborn session, many things may not initially come to mind! I have created a checklist of things to consider before your session.
Topics we will cover:
What to wear for your newborn session.
How to prepare for your newborn session.
What do I need to bring to my newborn session? Do I need to bring props?
What to expect during your newborn session.
What to wear for a newborn session in the studio:
The baby will be the star of the show during your newborn session. Wearing clothing with bright colors can create color casts on your baby making them look the color of your clothing. Neutral tones are never going out of style and give a very sophisticated look to your images. Beige, black, white, grey, or ivory will go with any look you choose for your baby.
It is completely up to you on if you want to dress up or wear traditional clothing for your photos. The most important thing to keep in mind is that everyone being photographed needs to have the same vibe. We can’t have Mom in a floor-length gown and Dad in a polo!
Additionally, we offer a limited selection in our client closet for moms and siblings to choose from. If you would like to discuss using our client closet, just reach out!
Interested in renting a maternity gown? These sites have loads of gorgeous options:
How to prepare for a newborn session in the studio:
We recommend scheduling your newborn session between 6 and 14 days old. This ensures that they are still very sleepy and flexible. As babies get older they lose the natural squishy and curled-up look that we love to capture and help you remember. We run a full-time studio in Muncie, so our calendar is flexible for scheduling.
If you are recovering from birth and need help going upstairs or carrying the baby upstairs, please be sure to bring someone you can trust or let us know and we can help. We do have an elevator available for those who can not take the stairs, but it is a longer walk through the building.
What do I need to bring to the session? Do I need to bring props?
All you need to bring is the baby and the necessities! We have a large variety of blankets, baskets, wraps, outfits, and headbands to choose from. If there is a particular style or color scheme you know you want please let us know and we can pull a few things before you arrive. If you have inspirational photos, we are happy to explore those with you before your session during your consultation.
If you would like to take a look at some of our props and colors, please head over to this Facebook album:
What to expect during your session:
We have spent countless hours learning how to create a safe and comfortable session for your baby. When you arrive at our studio in Muncie, you will enter through our front door and immediately go upstairs to our studio.
We ask that you try to keep the baby awake for 1-2 hours before your session and wipe face down.
The first thing that you will notice when you arrive is that it is very warm, usually around 75 degrees. Babies are used to being in 98.6 degrees so until they can regulate their body temperature, they love being nice and toasty. The second thing you will notice is that I will have white noise playing. Babies are not used to things being quiet and it helps from the shutter startling them.
Depending on how long it has been since the baby has been fed and how settled they are at the time of arrival will depend on how we begin. We recommend planning to feed the baby when you arrive at our studio. Even if they just need to be topped off with a little snack. We have comfortable seating and pillows and will give you all the time and privacy you need.
It is not uncommon to take several feeding breaks in a session. We will typically work for 2-3 hours depending on how often the baby needs to eat. It is helpful to have a pacifier available for the session, even if you do not plan to use one regularly, however, please do not feel pressured to use one if you do not plan to!
During this time the baby may eat much more often than you are used to, so please be prepared to give the sweetie a few snack breaks if they are not settling down. The happier the baby is, the more sets we can get through and the more images you have in your final gallery! If you are nursing your little one and your milk has not come in yet, please talk with us to reschedule your session. Those first few days of cluster feeding your little one is a crucial time for mother and baby.
Things to remember:
-Bring a large water bottle and a few snacks. We encourage you to eat and drink in the studio and stay comfortable since it is warm.
-Because it does get so warm in the studio and you may have a lot of hormones running through your body (trust me, I have been there!) feel free to step out for some fresh air at any time.
-Be sure to bring toys and snacks for any children included in the session. Because the session can last so long, we often will try and get the sibling images finished at the beginning so that one parent or family member can take them home or give them their full attention.
