You haven’t slept in weeks, are adjusting to a new human living in your home, and you want to take professional photos of it all?? You’re not crazy – let’s do it! Haha that sounds scarier than it is… I promise these photos will be amazing and you will be SO happy that you have them. One day, in a few years, maybe even just months… you’ll back on these photos and remember what a crazy time in life it was. But most of all, you’ll have photos that captured feelings that you were too sleepy to feel in the moment. So how do you prepare for your newborn/family session?? I got you.

Here are my favorite tips to make sure the shoot goes as smooth as possible:

Feed the baby right before the shoot so he is ‘milkdrunk’ and sleepy 🙂 This will help for all those adorable sleeping baby in your arms photos. If you can, try to keep him up for an hour or so before I arrive. This will just help him stay asleep longer during the session.

Sessions can last around 1-2 hours because we take quite a few breaks for feedings, changings, etc. The sleepier they are, the faster it will go. I usually take the baby photos (posed) first then family/lifestyle photos (in and around the house).

I’ll be setting up for the posed photos wherever the best light is. Usually near a sliding glass door or a big window. Please have that area cleared/clean.

Feel free to gather any special blankets, baskets, hats, toys, or props you want to use, but my newborn family photos are more lifestyle – so you will be in the photos, holding him, posing with him, etc. most of the time.

Most importantly, get ready to have some family time together. It’s not about the ‘cheeses’ or looking at the camera. It’s about your family spending time together, in your home or in one of your favorite parks, etc. Instead of saying, “Smile!” try playing with your child and doing things that only you as their parent would know makes them laugh. Tickles, funny faces, singing songs… whatever you do at home to play – do it for the photos and you’ll not only have authentic family photos, but you’ll be having fun and creating memories at the same time. And that’s the most important thing.

We hope these tips helped you get ready for your newborn/family session!

Want to book a newborn/family session with us? Check out more info on our WEBSITE, or reach out directly on our CONTACT PAGE.