WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR NEWBORN SESSION AND WHEN TO BOOK
It is best to book your newborn session while you are still pregnant. I will set time aside in my schedule around your due date and as your date approaches we will be in contact. Please notify me once baby makes his/her grand entrance and we will finalize your session date.
Newborn sessions are best done between 5-13 days old, during these first precious weeks of life they are very sleepy and flexible making it easier to pose baby. Once babies get closer to 2 weeks of age, they have more awake time and may start to develop baby eczema, gassy stomachs and baby acne. If you stumble across the idea of newborn portraits after the 13 day mark, please still contact me! Older newborns can still be captured in a variety of different ways.
My newborn sessions are done in your home so please open all of the blinds in the house and turn off all of the lights. When I arrive, I will walk through the house looking for the best source of natural light to do the session. I set up near a window or glass door with lots of light and I may move some furniture around to make room.
Babies are best photographed on a nice full tummy, so shortly before I am set to arrive please feed your baby. It is okay if you are still in the process of feeding when I arrive as I have props to bring in and set up.
Expect the session to last 1-3 hours, so that we have plenty of time for baby to get relaxed and happy. This allows for plenty of time for cuddling, feeding and diaper changes. I prefer to capture babies in their natural state- birthday suit! Please have baby only wearing a diaper when I arrive. Loosen the baby’s diaper about 30 minutes before the session, this allows time for the diaper’s imprint marks to disappear and please avoid putting a headband on baby prior to my arrival, sometimes they can leave imprint marks as well across baby’s forehead.
Since babies are usually photographed naked, we need the area WARM! A temperature of 80-85 degrees is perfect for my arrival, please do this an hour before the session. If you have a noise machine, keep that handy for me to use to help keep baby calm.
Most of the session is focused on the baby, but I usually take a few with the parents as well. If you plan to be in any photos, please wear simple, solid colored clothes. If the baby is really wide awake and does not want to sleep, I will swaddle the baby to get some photos, and use the parents as a prop, holding the baby over the shoulder, in your arms, etc. By having Mom or Dad hold the baby for a few images, fussy baby almost always settles down.
During the session, I will be handling the baby and doing the posing. I may ask you to hold up a blanket or possibly help hold the baby in a certain position.
I know you are excited so I will provide you with a sneak peak of what I captured within 24 hours of your session. You will find your sneak peak on my Facebook page where you can tag yourself and share with family members. Within 2 weeks of your session, you will receive your disc and print release in the mail.
Thank you so much for allowing me to photograph your new bundle of joy. I hope you will enjoy these precious moments for a long time to come!
~ Aubree G Photography
aubreegphotography 