Try to keep your baby awake and active for at least 30 minutes before the session and then give them a full feeding.
A little tummy time, sponge bath, and belly full of milk usually makes for one sleepy baby!
Dress the baby in a simple onesie and cozy blanket or just a diaper and blanket. If you prefer baby in an outfit, I would recommend the knit newborn items from Zara or H&M. Neutral muslin swaddles and soft woven blankets are great for these relaxed shoots.
Turn up the heat a couple degrees (or turn off the AC) to help baby stay sleepy and comfortable in less clothing.
Sessions will include photos of the family, siblings (fur siblings too!), each parent with the baby, and portraits of the baby on his/her own. I usually work in the main living room, master bedroom, and nursery or wherever natural light is best.
You can expect the session to last 1-2 hours.
We want the baby to be the star of the show so I recommend wearing neutral or light colored clothing with no large logos or patterns. Keep in mind that the home will be warmer than usual, so light fabrics are recommended or items that you can easily layer and remove if you get overheated.
For moms, finding an outfit postpartum can be stressful. Try to find something that you will be comfortable in and have a backup option that you love as well. Textures like lace and knit photograph great and you can plan to dress casually. A flowy dress, jeans and a t-shirt, whatever you feel most comfortable in, go for it! I have spoken to countless moms who have had one outfit picked out and then come session time it no longer fits (all those postpartum joys!) Keep the tags on anything you purchase for the session and you may find it useful to buy items in two sizes.
For dads, I recommend a solid colored t-shirt or henley. Often times jeans and pants will wear out in an obvious pattern around phones and wallets so it is a good idea to buy a new pair of pants for the occasion.
If you are unsure of what to wear, email me a few photos of your outfits and I am happy to help narrow choices. At the bottom of the page you'll see a link to my favorite Amazon finds including outfits for the whole family.
During the session, remember to relax and have fun! These are very low stress, laid-back photos, and I will guide you through simple poses and prompts the entire time. If your baby gets fussy (99% of babies do!) there will also be time for feeding and soothing.
I love to capture bottle/nursing photos but I will ask you if you are comfortable with these photos beforehand.
If you are like me, you cannot wait to see your photos! Within 24 hours you will receive a Sneak Peek of 1-3 images. These are posted on my instagram or facebook page and these links can be found at the top of the page.
Within 2 weeks, you will receive your full digital gallery of 60 images. Be sure to download these photos and have a backup if possible. Your session includes a $100 print credit and this code will be included in your gallery email.
See you soon!