Newborn Session Guide
Essential Newborn Session Information
What to Expect at a Newborn Session
So you’re considering booking a Newborn Session.
I’m betting you’re expecting or have recently had a baby so let me start by congratulating you!
I’m sure you want to make an informed decision about who will photograph the little one and may have some questions about how it all works.
In this section, I’ll go over how my newborn photography sessions work and what to expect when you book one.
A newborn session is a photo shoot at my studio for babies aged 5 to 14 days.
The session focuses on capturing natural, timeless photographs of your newborn baby so that you can remember exactly how tiny they were, and all of the little details that were there when they were first born.
The Petite Newborn Session focuses on just the baby, while the Classic Newborn session allows time to take family and sibling photographs too.
The studio is located at the Makers Brunswick Photography studio in Brunswick Georgia. The studio is warm, comfortable and has everything I need to safely photograph your baby and family and make sure you have a relaxed, comfortable experience.
If you would prefer your home to mine, I would be happy to offer a newborn session in your own home.
Booking a photo shoot with me is not just about turning up on the day.
It’s important to me that you have a relaxed, enjoyable experience and have a set of photographs that you love at the end. So you can expect a lot of communication and support from me before and after your photo shoot.
When you book a Newborn Session and pay the session fee you’ll get:
- a telephone consultation with me so that we can plan your session, and tailor it to your baby.
- preparation emails full of lots of information to help you feel relaxed and prepared for your session.
- a newborn session at my studio, including time for family and sibling portraits.
- professional editing and retouching of the photographs from your session.
- a viewing appointment to see your beautiful photographs and choose which ones you’d like to order.
When you book a Classic Newborn Session, in the gallery from your session you can expect to see a gallery of about 20 unique images, each edited in color and in black and white (around 40 images in total.)
With the Petite Newborn Session, the gallery will consist of 10 unique images, each edited in color and in black and white (around 20 images in total.)
All of the photographs will be in my signature, natural style. With the focus on your baby and family rather than lots of props or complicated sets.
The final photographs in your gallery will depend on:
- The colour of blankets and wraps that you choose
- Your baby’s preferences as I take a baby-led approach
- The gorgeous details that make your baby unique
- Whether you have a sentimental item you would like to include in one of the photographs
I have nice, neutral-colored blankets and wraps in the studio that I’ll use to lie your baby down on and wrap them in during the session. They are freshly washed before each session.
I typically utilize a same color throughout the session to ensure that your images have a coherent feel and will sit beautifully together if you chose to put them together on your walls at home or in a book.
We’ll talk about which color you want to use before the session, and if you’re not sure, I can help you decide.
Choosing this color will also help you choose clothing for the rest of your family (more on that later).
My visual approach is really natural, and I don’t use just a few props. As a result, the focus of the images will be on your adorable kid.
Special, sentimental things, such as a blanket made by Granny or a special soft toy, can be incorporated into the session when families request them.
If you bring one of these precious items, we’ll include it into one or two of the photos of your newborn.
You are not required to bring anything for your newborn baby to wear during the session, only an outfit to take them home in.
During the session, I’ll wrap your baby in the blankets and wraps you’ve chosen from my collection to keep them feeling comfortable and safe.
When shopping for clothing for the rest of the family, keep these three things in mind:
1. Choose a color scheme
The cohesiveness and impact of your photos can be greatly enhanced by using a coordinated color scheme as the foundation for each person’s attire.
I recommend sticking to a maximum of one or two colors for all of your clothes. Neutral colors, such as greys, whites, creams, and blue, perform best for newborn photography. Black works great in the studio as well.
2. Keep it simple
Avoid patterns and clothing with lettering or pictures on it since these can be distracting and will age your photographs prematurely.
We want the spotlight to be on you and your child.
3. Rather than matching, coordinate
When selecting attire for each member of the family, keep in mind that the idea is to coordinate, not match.
It is not necessary for everyone to wear the same thing, only for their clothing to be complementary.
I have a change pad, feeding pillow, nappy bags, and Water Wipes at the studio in case you need them during the session. So you’re not required to bring these items unless you wish to.
I do recommend that you bring the following items:
Diapers – carry more than you would normally use in the morning, just in case your baby has a diaper-changing day or we have a few accidents.
If you’re bottle feeding, please bring a few extra feeds; again, more than you’d normally need in the morning, just in case.
If you use a pacifier, please bring one with you because it can help to soothe your infant between shots. I don’t use a pacifier very often, but if the little one has become used to it, it can be really helpful.
On the day of your session, we’ll normally begin by getting you settled into the studio and discussing how the session will proceed.
I’ll have given you some pointers on how to prepare your baby in the morning so that he or she is peaceful and settled when you arrive. To make the most of this quiet time, I’ll begin by photographing your infant on their own.
Finally, we’ll picture you all as a family. I’ll photograph each parent with their infant, sibling portraits if you have older children, and family photos.
On the day of your session, we’ll normally begin by getting you settled into the studio and discussing how the session will proceed.
I’ll have given you some pointers on how to prepare your baby in the morning so that he or she is peaceful and settled when you arrive. To make the most of this quiet time, I’ll begin by photographing your infant on their own.
Finally, we’ll picture you all as a family. I’ll photograph each parent with their infant, sibling portraits if you have older children, and family photos.
Siblings
As your older children wait for their turn, we’ve got plenty of snacks and Netflix to keep them occupied. Numerous families also choose to allow the father and the children to arrive separately, roughly one hour beyond the start of our program. That’s okay either way! The important thing here is that parents not interfere with their photographs until I ask them to, so that they can show off their newfound abilities as big brothers or sisters. I deal with toddlers all day, every day, and while they don’t scare me, I do need to enlist their help if I want the best outcomes.
Newborn sessions normally run 2 to 4 hours. This period is so variable because every baby is unique, and every day with each baby is unique! Babies will occasionally nap through all of the photographs. It may take a little longer if they need a few breaks for a feed, diaper change, or cuddling with a parent. I work at the speed and needs of each baby.
Around 1 to 2 weeks following your session, I’ll email you a link to a private online gallery where you may see the fully edited images from your session, download them, and choose any prints you’d like to order.
The gallery will be available for a brief time while you select your images. I’ll be available by phone to provide as much or as little assistance as you require. I can assist you with creating albums and gallery walls, as well as determining the best approach to exhibit your new images. I guarantee there will be no pressure or hard sell – that’s just not my way.
This is the point at which you place your order and pay for any prints. Digital photos will be supplied within 24 hours of purchase, and printed items will be sent 4-6 weeks later.
I work on a package basis – you pay a package fee upfront, which includes a set number of downloads, with the option to order prints after the shoot.
Once you’ve seen your photographs you can order additional printed photographs.
You can find my current newborn session fee and product prices here: Newborn Session Pricing
To book your session please send me a message here letting me know when your baby is due (or their date of birth if they’re already here.)
I’ll get back to you within 24 hours. Once we’ve settled on a date I’ll send you a booking agreement and invoice for half of your session fee due now and the remaining half due the day of the session. When these are returned your session is confirmed.
Then we can get started with planning your session!
