How to prepare for your newborn photo session

Before photo day

• Send Heather baby info for announcements
  • Baby brain is a heck of a thing, so double-check it, but please do send me baby’s birth information so I can get you pre-designed birth announcements.

• Send Heather photos of the places you would like to hang your portraits.
  • This isn’t crucial but if you want me to have some wall art mock-ups for you, then tape a piece of regular paper to the wall and snap a pic.

• Get your wardrobe picked out
  • Pick simple clothes that flatter for you and your partner. I usually recommend two white tank tops or tshirts. Bulky or patterned clothes will just take focus away from the baby.

The morning of the photos

• Keep baby up and a little hungry (but not screaming) that morning
  • It’s best if the baby crashes when you arrive at my studio because a sleepy baby can be posed safely. If you do your best to keep the baby up and feed them when you arrive, we’ll end up with a sleepy baby as soon as we’re ready to begin. You don’t want to have an overtired, screaming baby, so don’t overdo it or withhold, but do your best. A bath that morning can help wake them up, but if you have a long car ride then do your best to wake them up about an hour before you arrive.

• Pack more diapers and bottles than you think you need
  • Photo sessions take a lot of energy, even if you’re asleep the whole time. We’ll go through more of both than normal. If you’re breastfeeding, the baby will need more of you than normal also.

• Bring any props that have meaning
  • One of the things that can make your session absolutely unique is the addition of props or clothes that mean something to your family or culture. Please bring anything you think we can use in the pictures!
• Bring a snack and water for you too!
  • You’ll get hungry also, make sure you have something for you to eat. This includes your partner and any other children you’re bringing.

In general

• Stop worrying about your body
  • You grew a human life, you’re pretty much about as magical as it gets right now. You want to feel super confident about your pictures. We’ll talk about dresses that can minimize or cover your discomfort areas. I’ll pose you in flattering positions. As for the rest, that’s what photoshop is for.

• Be confident and don’t worry
  • Really and truly, the best thing that you can do for yourself is to let go of your stress and don’t worry about the results. I know it’s hard to do, but confidence comes through in every photo and if you feel nervous, you’ll look nervous, and there is no fixing that. Baby can feel your stress too, so if you’re nervous we’ll end up with a fussy baby!
• Get your hair done
  • I highly highly recommend having your hair professionally done. Not only is it one less thing for you to worry about that day, but you are guaranteed to get something fantastic that will last the entire photo shoot. You’ll want to be in photos with your baby, so pamper yourself a bit!
• Get your makeup done too
  • Make-up artists are usually way better at making us feel glamorous than we are ourselves. When you know that you look your best, you feel confident and that comes across in every photo. If you’re doing it yourself, don’t overdo it. I can fix a flaw that shows through the makeup faster than I can fix too much makeup.
• Get your nails done too
  • Your hands will definitely be in the photos, so tidy nails (for both parents) will just add a bit of icing to an already great picture. You’ll be thankful you did in those close-up baby photos.
• Drink a bunch of water
  • Drink water. More than you think you’ll need. Yes I know it’s a fine line between hydration and peeing all the time, but you need to be hydrated to have great skin for pictures. BUT then don’t forget to pee before you arrive. If you’re breastfeeding then you’ll need that help.