How to Prep Your In-home Lifestyle Newborn Session
This prep guide will help you prepare for your upcoming In-home Lifestyle Newborn Session with me. The younger the baby is, the more likely that he/she will sleep more, which means I'll be able to photograph more photos of the baby alone. Please be sure to email me within 24-48 hours after the baby is born so we can schedule the date for your session.
If you have a boy and are choosing to have him circumcised, I suggest having the procedure done at least seven days prior to your session. His discomfort shortly after the circumcision will greatly affect the success of the session.
Age 7-14 days is ideal for an In-home Lifestyle Newborn Session. Once Baby reaches 15 days old, he/she will have more awake time during the day, baby acne will start to develop, and the newborn "peach fuzz" will go away.
Before the Session
There is very little prep that is needed before your session. You'll want to tidy-up and open shades/blinds in one or two well-lit areas of your smoke-free home. Most clients like to have their session take place in the baby's nursery and master bedroom. Interior lights will be turned off during our session.
In the days leading up to your session, I will arrive at 10:45am to setup the areas where we will be photographing. Please keep Baby awake and stimulated for 1-2 hours before I arrive. (This is usually a good job for Dad so Mom can take this time getting ready.) A stimulating bath is usually a good way to encourage deep sleep throughout the session.
I suggest you start feeding Baby about 30 minutes before the session so that he/she has a full tummy and will likely fall asleep just as we are ready to start the session. Once he/she has finished feeding, please keep the baby in a diaper only and loosely wrapped in a blanket to keep him/her warm. Avoid wrapping him/her in a tight swaddle and having the baby fall asleep.
The baby should be awake, yet drowsy, when we start the session. I will have you change Baby into a fresh diaper just before I wrap him/her in a swaddle blanket (which I will bring with me).
Your hands will be in some photos. Moms, you may want to touch up your nails (if that's important to you) and wear your wedding ring/band (if you want). Please refer to my Portrait Style Guide for detailed information on how to dress your family and feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!
If you have older sibling(s), your session may last closer to two hours. We will start with family and sibling photos first (group photos), then finish up with parent photos and a few individuals of the baby.
After the Session
A minimum of 25 digital photographs from the Session will be selected with lightly edited and made available, and provided to You for online viewing and purchasing within 2 weeks after the Session.
