The best time for a newborn session is at seventh to fifteenth days old. Why does the timing matter? During this phase, the baby goes into a deep sleep and curls up into natural poses, which lends itself to easy creation of a calm and beautiful images. The newborn session can take place up to a month, however, observations like the more potential for sensitive skin or increased fussiness, could noticing baby behavior change potential grouping overall time.
Create a warm and comforting environment
The room should be warm enough so that the baby is comfortable. You can choose an area within your home, or wherever your photographer has space, that allows for facade and backdrop setup. Soft items of some type, such as blankets, props, etc., should be prepared in that staging space. Check with your photographer primarily on what you can accomplish. Almost all will bring their lighting, small toys, and baskets for attaching to the scene during the session, so you should be more focused on the comfort aspect.
Wake up baby gently
About an hour before you take the baby to the session, wake them slowly and if necessary, give their hair a light wash. Milk and feed them, so they feel comfortable, warm, and sleepy before you get there. Have the baby dressed in quick easy clothing. Check that they have a good clean diaper too. Try to have the necessary items with you to ensure your newborn session would go as smoothly as possible. Several pacifiers of different sizes and configurations, no less than 5 diapers, wipes, and care products (like butt creams). If your baby has tummy issues, please have any colic remedies on hand.
Select coordinated outfits for the whole family
Choose an outfit for everyone in pastel or neutral colors with no bold patterns, which helps to keep the photographs looking stylish and clean. If you having the hair and makeup done, lightly consider the look matching the photographs. If your breast milk diet consists of any new element or gas inducing foods like: beans, cabbage, or corn, better not to introduce those foods just the day before as just one example.
Keep things calm and happy
Bring the positive vibes. Remember, your mood affects baby's mood. Keep extra people to a minimum. Ideally, there should only be one parent (the other is welcome of course if they are helping) and the photographer as this will help everyone stay calm and focused.
Trust the process and your photographer
Expect a longer session. Newborn sessions can be lengthy at times. Plan for 3-4 hours so you can take your time for feeding, changing, calming the baby and repositioning. This time will help create those images for you that you will cherish forever. Even if the baby is upset and fussy, has skin blemishes or is hardly sleeping, trust the process. A proficient trained newborn photographer has lots of experience dealing with these moments during a newborn session and can resituate baby's position, or fix skin blemishes during editing. You really do not need a whole lot of special prep work for, just be comfortable and a calm family. If you are able to predict a gentle mood environment, and with a proficient photographer, you will create stunning memories you will cherish forever.
