When to book your newborn session: 

Babies' portraits are best taken between 5-10 days new.  After that time things like colic and acne appear and they are awake longer and are harder to settle.  As we currently only photograph 1-2 babies a week it’s best to get in contact with us as soon as possible to start planning your session.  We can make a tentative booking once you know your estimated due date and once your precious one has arrived, let us know and we will finalize a date. 

Where will your newborn session take place: 

All sessions take place in our beautiful, bright, in-home studio in Niles, IL. In home sessions are available for an extra fee. 

How long will your newborn session take: 

Newborn sessions can take up to 2-4 hours.  Baby is the boss in all sessions.  We allow plenty of time for feeding and soothing.  Newborn sessions take a lot of patience and care to be done safely.  The safety and comfort of your newborn is our first priority. 

How to prepare: 

For the baby, clean away flaky skin and eye boogers with a wash cloth. Trim those tiny fingernails and toenails with baby trimmers. 

If your baby has any band-aids on the foot, thigh, etc., please remove them as soon as you possibly can to allow the imprint marks to disappear. 

Do not change the baby’s diet the day before or during the session. Continue to feed your baby how you normally do (breast-feed, formula-feed, or both). Bring plenty of bottles! Your baby will need to eat more often during the session than they normally do. Do not make any sudden changes to the baby’s diet that may contribute to fussiness. 

Before the shoot, please feed baby 2-3 hours prior and do your best to keep baby awake. Try giving a bath, let baby kick with only a diaper on, tickle their toes, and let them fuss for a little bit (no pacifiers) for the few hours beforehand. Recruit your spouse or family to help you with these tasks. 

Please bring a pacifier as they help to get babies to sleep and soothe them. If you have one (even if your child won’t really take it) please bring it to the session as it may help me. I always pull the pacifier out before taking photos. I recommend Gumdrop pacifiers and I have some that I like to use just for the session if you forget to bring some. They come sterilized and individually sealed.  If you do not plan on using pacifiers please be assured that babies don’t get attached to them after our session and they really do help calm a fussy baby. 

Clothing for the rest of you 

Clothes for mom – something along the lines of a tank top, tube, camisole. Black or in a white/nude/beige color. Pants or skirt to match. Jeans are fine too. Avoid prints. If you’re not sure what will work better bring all of it.  A subtle application of makeup can soften your skin and accent your facial features. Neutral looking fake lashes can really flatter your eyes. 

I have a variety of wraps and gowns in the studio. Be sure your nails are tidy and clean (no nail polish) as your hands will make their way into the images. Also, rest assured, I aim to photograph using flattering angles and lighting to bring out the natural beauty in you and your family. 

For Dads – a white, grey or black plain t-shirt or bare skin to skin with baby looks really beautiful.  Please feel free to let me know what you prefer and are comfortable with. Be freshly shaved with a new razor, shaving cream and moisturizing after-shave lotion to avoid bumps and redness. Trim your beard, sideburns, mustache or goatee. Look especially for wiry stray hairs. Make sure your nails are clean and trimmed. 

If you prefer not to be shirtless, wear a tight-fitting V-neck t-shirt with a pair of jeans. 

For siblings – Bring a white, grey or black t-shirt as well for their individual photos with baby. 

It is perfectly okay to bring bribes to a photo-shoot–some cereal, snacks or candies that won’t stain their teeth. Avoid colorful drinks or lollipops within 24 hours of your shoot. Do not let them eat or drink anything will stain their cheeks, mouths or teeth. 

Sister(s): I provide a wrap that will act as the perfect top or please wear a snug-fitting tank in a neutral color. The girl’s hair should be natural and free of bows, headbands, etc., and just like Mom, no nail polish please. 

Brother(s): A snug pair of jeans and shirtless are preferred. 

Due to the duration of the newborn session, I recommend bringing young children into the studio either in the beginning of the session for about 30 minutes. 

Please arrange for childcare for them when they are not being photographed. Young children do not have long attention spans (3-4 hours are way too long for them). They may not do well in unfamiliar places and will disrupt the environment in the studio necessary for newborn photography. 

What is included in your newborn session fee: 

Your session fee covers up to 2-4 hours of custom shooting time.  It includes the use of props, wraps, outfits, and tie-backs.  It covers the photographer's expertise in newborn posing and safety, editing time, session planning.   

When will you see your portraits: 

While timing cannot be guaranteed, we aim to have galleries completed 1-2 weeks after your session.    

What if you have more questions: 

You can always call, email, or Facebook message with any additional questions you may have and we will respond as soon as possible. 

I hope these tips in this What to expect a guide will help you prepare for your newborn shoot and ensure that your session runs smoothly so we can focus on capturing your newborn baby’s portraits.