Who doesn’t love babies? Tyler was no exception with his perfect little fingers and toes! Newborn photo session are often really challenging but so worth the patience and work it can take to get the perfect photo.
There is lots of preparation to getting ready for newborn sessions. From looking for unique props, setting up equipment, loading up my car, and planning out poses and ideas ahead of time I can assure you that your session isn’t viewed as “another session” just like your baby isn’t “just another newborn”. I prepare differently for each session and I hope it shows.

I do everything that I can to make mom, dad, and baby as comfortable as possible when I arrive, but there are also things that you can do as a parents beforehand to prepare for your newborn shoot in the Franklin, Nashville, Brentwood, and Spring Hill areas. I also travel so if you are located beyond my standard range contact me!

Tips for your newborn photography session
• Newborn portraits are unique in that they can’t be scheduled months out, and often I’m booked out months, and even a year in advance but if you let me know within a few months of your due date I will build time into my schedule around that timeframe for your session.
• Call me soon after you deliver so you can arrange a time for the session. Ideally the session should take place within 5-14 days after birth. Infants older than two weeks tend to be much more difficult to photograph as they are more fussy and resistant to coaxing into positions.
• If the session will be taking place at your home – do not worry about the state of your house. You just had a baby. I do not care if dishes are piled up the sink and clothes basket runs over!
• Make sure your baby’s diaper isn’t too tight or diaper marks around the legs and waist may show in the photos.
• Have your house warm. Ideally, you’ll want the thermostat set around 80-85. For the adults it will be hot, but the baby will be warm and happy.
• Collect any items you want used in the session beforehand – family heirlooms, toys, monogrammed blankets, etc. I’ll go through these with you to determine what will look best in the pictures.
• If you’d like pictures taken of the baby in the nursery, be sure all the curtains and shades are open to let in lots of natural light. No need to clean, but just try and make sure the clutter has found its way to a closet.
• Decide if you’d like pictures taken with your baby, or if want pictures of only the baby. Ahead of time many parents assume they’ll be too tired to get ready to be in photos but most change their minds once we start. Often just a simple neutral colored t-shirt is all the dressing up you’ll need for beautiful photos as a family. You’ll always be glad you did!
• Make sure the baby has a full belly before I arrive. Often we’ll take a quick break or two for a ‘snack’ as needed.
• After the baby is full, make sure they are burped well. Gas can take a sleepy, happy baby to an uncomfortable and irritable one in just a few moments.
• Be patient. If the baby gets fussy or alert, don’t stress out. A baby can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. We will try and get the baby comfortable again, but if that just doesn’t seem possible, we’ll take a break or we’ll work with what he’s giving us. Sometimes the best pictures are ones when the baby isn’t doing what we want.
• Be assured that if there is ever a point where you’re uncomfortable with the poses, simply let me know. Likewise, if you have ideas that you’d like to try please let me know! Often parent’s will email me with several images that they especially like or have a few examples ready on their computer when they arrive.

[caption id="attachment_256" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Newborn photos in your home in Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, and Spring Hill"][/caption]

Filed under: Children, Family Photos, Newborn Photos on July 26th, 2010