How to prepare for a Newborn Session
I'm really passionate about the way I photograph newborns. I will not do those highly stylized, babies in baskets shoots. It's definitely a skill, and I have a lot of respect for the photographers that do photograph them, but I will not.
I don't want to dress babies up like dollies and pose them like we're having a tea party. I want to capture your connection with your baby, and how tiny your babe is, and this brand new connection you have with your partner. That's the magic to me, when your child is older they'll be able to look at those pictures with you holding them and see the expression on your faces. They'll be able to see just how much they are loved.
Newborn sessions generally are a little longer than a normal family portrait session, around 1-2 hours, which allows for feeling and soothing breaks.
Deciding on a location for your shoot.
This one is ultimately up to you, and it’s one of the things we will discuss during the pre-shoot consult. For newborns I recommend either at your own home, or in the studio. Newborn babies don't really "exist" in the outside world. They don't yet have a favourite spot and are rarely out of your arms. The studio is the perfect place to capture the connection between you and your new human, and to show just how tiny they are at this age, because it definitely doesn't last long! There’s minimal distractions in the studio and it makes for some really beautiful clean images.
If you feel more comfortable at home that’s always an option too! The images have YOUR background and you don’t have to worry about packing a change of clothes etc. as you’ll already have all of that at hand!
If you are planning your photography session for the studio, make sure you bring a change of clothes, for you and baby! and that baby is dressed in something which is easy to take off if you’re planning on doing some naked shots.
