7 Tips to Prepare for a Newborn Session

New parents in and around Pittsburgh may be wondering many things about those early days with a new life in the home. I'm a Pittsburgh photographer, and I'm here to help ease your mind about one part of that: newborn photos.

A newborn is one of life's greatest gifts. No matter what delivery is like, the first moments of holding your new baby are breathtaking, with tremendous feelings that are hard to even put into words. You know right away that you want to treasure every moment during this stage and capture as much of it as you can. A photo session with an experienced newborn photographer is one of the best ways you can capture some of these memories and freeze them in time.

This is an exciting time, but I understand you may be anxious about how the photo session will go, too. As a Pittsburgh newborn photographer, I have a few tips that will help you to be prepared. Preparing a few things in advance can make sure your newborn photo session is relaxed and enjoyable. You'll be so glad you have these photos to look back on

Here are my top seven tips to help ensure that you have a wonderful session.

1. Schedule your session in advance.

Newborn photo sessions are best done between days 5 and 14. This is the time period that your baby is still flexible and sleeping a lot, so this is when you're able to get those cute little sleepy, curled up poses. If you would prefer photos to be taken while your baby is awake and more alert, you may want to schedule them for a different time period.

Because this window of time is so small and newborn photographers book up so quickly, you will want to schedule your session far in advance. Generally, you should reach out to your preferred photographer during your second trimester. Tell her your due date to find out if she has availability. When your baby arrives, let her know right away and set your actual date and time for your newborn session.

2. Discuss your expectations with the photographer.

If you have a certain vision or ideas for your photos, share this with your photographer ahead of time. Your photographer may have realistic ideas that are worth sharing with you to help you plan and manage those expectations. She also may be able to learn more about what you're desiring and gather anything special she will need, like certain props.

Before booking your session, be sure to look through the photographer's portfolio to make sure her style fits with what you're envisioning. If you don't like the quality and poses that photographer uses most, she may not be a great fit for you.

Remember that your newborn photographer is going to take into account your baby's safety when she makes decisions and plans for the session. This includes what poses and props she feels comfortable and safe using.

3. Schedule your session for early mornings

Infants do sleep a lot, especially in those first few weeks. For those super cute poses, though, your baby will need to be able to get into a deep sleep. As much as possible, keep your daily routine when it's close to time for your session. In my experience, early mornings are perfect for sessions because of that long first nap of the day. If you cannot schedule your session for early mornings I would suggest scheduling a session near your baby’s second longest nap – whenever that is for your family.

4. Think about where you plan to hang images

or those who know they will be printing photos and are interested in wall art or albums – it is important to start thinking about what are some of your favorite colors and how they coordinate with your décor. Will you be hanging your images in nursery, living room, or bedroom? I suggest communicating this to your photographer to make sure you know your options. In short, be sure to ask yourself what you want to do with these gorgeous photos of your baby. This will help communicate your vision and expectations to the photographer.

5. Dress yourself appropriately – the studio is nice and warm.

Many photographers shoot their newborns naked, and you don't want your baby to be cold. The studio will be kept warm for newborn photo sessions (if it will be at your home, crank up the temperature about half an hour before you begin), so you want to dress prepared for that yourself. If you are hot natured and you dress warmly, chances are you will get hot. I would suggest to dress in layers so that you can get more comfortable.

6. Don’t dress up your baby before the session – loose diaper and sleeper is all you need.

Before your session begins, put on a loose, clean diaper and keep your little one warm and happy in a swaddle blanket (home sessions) or a sleeper (studio sessions). Keeping the diaper loose helps to avoid any marks or lines from the diaper, and it also makes it easier to take the diaper off without handling your baby too much. Sleepers with zippers are excellent and easy for parents and photographers – I can attest to this from both positions – as a mom and a photographer.

If you have certain clothing you would like your baby to wear during her photo session, have those prepared and ready beforehand, but don't dress her in them until your photographer advises you to. Keep them close and ready for when your photographer is ready for them.

7. Relax and watch the photographer work her magic.

There are many adorable, creative poses on the internet, but an experienced photographer will not do anything that jeopardizes your baby's safety. Trust your photographer's level of knowledge and training, and when she says you can sit back and relax, you can. As a woman who went through the experience of delivering a baby, I understand how my clients may feel when coming to my studio – excited, nervous, and most of all tired. I empathize and communicate with my clients in a way that helps them relax. I play soft, spa-like music throughout the session and listen more than I talk. It can be hard for a mother to see someone else handling her baby, but your photographer should be used to working with newborns and worried parents, and she knows what to do. You will see her patiently calm baby and position her as needed for her photos. In my newborn sessions I treat every baby in a way that I would want a stranger to treat my baby.

Finally, I have just a few recommendations for things to bring with you to your newborn's photo session. If you're not breastfeeding, bring an extra bottle or two, just in case. Pacifiers can work magic – trust me on this! You may have several diaper and clothing changes. If you can remember to, bring a clothing change for yourself as well. Hopefully you won't need it, but you want to have it in case you do! If you have any special blankets, clothes, or other props you want in your photos, discuss that with your photographer and bring them along. You also may want to bring some snacks for yourself in case you get hungry while you're waiting for the session to be finished.

In reality, newborns can be pretty unpredictable. It's hard to know for sure how your newborn is going to do being photographed, so keep these tips in mind, but also be patient. Newborns can be fussy, they get hungry, and sometimes they decide they're just not tired after all. Please know that you cannot prepare enough for the photo session to go flawlessly – your babe will run the show no matter what you do! Hopefully these seven tips alleviate some of your concerns so that you feel more prepared for and excited about your photo session, so that you can relax and start planning and preparing for your baby.

If you are looking for a Pittsburgh newborn photographer, contact me. I can answer any other questions you may have about scheduling your newborn session, preparing for it, and what to expect. I would love to work with you and your brand new bundle of joy!