| Helpful Hints For Your Newborn Session |

When Do I Schedule?

* I recommend scheduling your newborn session while you're still pregnant! I will pencil in your estimated due date and then loosely schedule you 12-17 days from there. I then have you contact me as soon as the baby is born to confirm if that date still works and we will adjust the date if necessary.

* I like to schedule my newborns around 12 - 17 days old but there is definitely wiggle room so don't fret if you did not do this! I simply like this time frame because they sleep quite soundly and will still allow me to mold them into position and tuck them into all of those curly poses. During these very early days, they have also not yet developed newborn acne or colic which can start up more in weeks 3 and 4.

Where Does a Newborn Session Take Place?

* Newborn sessions take place in my cozy studio in downtown Little Chute inside The Main Street Plaza. The studio is fully equipped with all the professional gear needed to capture your baby and family. You simply need to pack your baby's essentials and I provide the rest! I have an abundance of props, backdrops, fabrics, tiny outfits, baby-sized hair pretties, bonnets, and more! You can help yourself to my little coffee bar and the mini-fridge stocked with beverages. I also provide small snacks for you to help yourself to & there is a bathroom on location as well. Once your family images have been taken you are welcome to settle into my parent lounge area to watch the rest of the magic take place. You can look over my product samples on display or even take a little snooze. Moms will be able to relax and put their feet up for feeding baby as well.

* Please let me know ahead of time if you have any special items of your own you would like to use such as grandma's knitted blankie, stuffed lovies, daddy's guitar, or an old baseball glove. This way I can properly plan ahead when I style and plan out your session.

* I find that morning sessions work best so I schedule these sessions at 10 am. A newborn session can take up to a few hours (3-4 for the regular session) so please don't schedule anything else around the session time. The length of a session depends on the baby. Some babies sleep straight through and some need more frequent breaks for cuddling and feeding. Typically half the session time is devoted to comforting and feeding :)

* If we are taking sibling images those will be taken right after family photos. I do highly encourage that once siblings are finished being photographed one parent or another trusted adult takes them back home. This is not because I do not enjoy the presence of ALL of your little ones, I do VERY much! It is because the studio is filled with lots of tempting things to explore & touch and lots of expensive equipment that can accidentally be broken. I want to ensure that you can remain relaxed and able to enjoy your newborn's session and it also helps to ensure that I can focus all of my attention on your newborn.

How Do We Make Baby Sleepy?

* Please, try not to let your baby sleep all morning before the session because even the best sleeper WILL fully wake up once in the studio & we will not be able to get the sleepy, posed images you hired me for. I am also unable to safely pose your baby in or on any props if they are awake & bee-boppin’ around :) A bit of awake time in the hour or so before their session should help to exert some energy.

* Bath time before the session is a good way to tire your baby out. Give baby a good lotioning after their bath to reduce any flaky skin but do not use an oily or greasy lotion as it will not photograph well.

* If you are traveling quite a distance to the studio, if possible, it will help to not let them sleep the entire drive, although that may be easier said than done!

* Please give baby a FULL feeding right before you leave for your session. Once you arrive I may have you feed him/her once again as a top-off just before the session starts. 

What Should Baby Wear? What About Their Skin?

* Please bring your baby in a button/zip-down sleeper WITHOUT a onesie. The less I have to take off over your baby’s head, the better.

* My style of newborn photography is a mix of wrapped and naked babies. I love to show off those beautiful rolls and gorgeous baby skin. I also like to give variety with wraps & tiny outfits (provided by the studio).

* While it may be tempting to want to use store-bought or handmade infant outfits I would recommend allowing me to use the outfits provided in my studio. They are specifically made to be used for newborn photography and will fit your baby much better than the store-bought kind. If you have something that you have your heart set on for your newborn to wear during their session please provide me with photos before the day of your session so that I can plan the best way to use it in the session. 

* Lotioning baby before and sometimes during your session will help to eliminate dry, flaky skin. Also washing their hair that morning will help it look nice and fluffy (and is a good way to help tire them out!).

* I do edit baby acne and scratches. If your baby is very flaky I will edit what I can while still keeping the integrity of your baby's skin without making it look unnatural. I do not edit birthmarks or anything that is a permanent part of your baby unless it is requested (within reason) by the parent.

Why Is It So Hot In Here?

* My studio will be warm to help ensure your baby's comfort during these birthday suit moments. You are welcome to bring along a change of cooler clothing for yourselves after your family photos are completed. Keeping in mind, the baby is nakey in some poses so we definitely want them to be comfortable. I do use a space heater for more direct warmth and also a white noise machine to help lull the baby into a sleepy slumber.

What Do The Parents Wear?

* For the images with parents and baby I like to have you wear some type of solid-colored shirt whether it be black, cream, blue, etc.... color is okay but patterns can distract from the baby. Parent/family images are taken on my simple colored backdrops (see here) and also seated on my studio couch. For even more simple/classic looks we can do skin-on-skin poses and for mama/baby shots we can use my studio gowns, and various fabrics for wrapping mom's top half with baby. Dads can go shirtless as well to show his muscles if he'd like. This is also great for showing off any cool tattoos!

* Your hands show a lot in these photos so be sure to lotion up and either remove your old polish or freshly paint your nails for your session.

What If My Baby Cries?

* Baby might cry - it's okay! I don't do anything that hurts the babies & I don't force them into anything that is uncomfortable for them. Some poses require flexibility and babies are born with plenty of that! They may wake or cry a bit just from being moved around. Some babies sleep the entire time and don't stir at all, others take more time and patience. Sometimes positions can take up to 20 minutes to perfect. If you request a certain pose I will try it but if the baby resists I won't force it, not all babies will cooperate or like all poses and that's okay!

* If you have introduced a pacifier (even if your baby hates it), please bring one along. I often get babies who normally dislike it to readily take one during their session. The pacifier is the best tool I can use to soothe your baby & it also helps me with obtaining certain poses. If you have not introduced one, I’d love for you to consider using one just for the session, if needed.

* There will be as many breaks as your baby needs to change, feed & snuggle. 

Patience, Patience, Patience!

* Some poses take a while. Sometimes baby needs extra soothing to get into a deeper sleep. They're not used to being messed with so much during 'nap time' - no sooner do they get all comfy & I'm moving them around again. You may often see me just sitting there with one hand on the baby's head & one on their bum/feet - this is my way of helping them feel secure and therefore helping them settle down. Don't fret if baby seems uncooperative, the calmer we all are, the calmer baby will be.

Oh Boy, What A Mess!

* No worries when it comes to peeing, pooping, and puking! It's to be expected and nothing to worry about. All of my blankets, furs, wraps, little pants, etc are washed after each session.

Additional Information.....

* If you are supplementing or bottle feeding, please be sure to bring along an extra bottle or two (more if baby is cluster-feeding). The constant moving & posing often requires a feeding or two outside of the “normal schedule”. I have a bottle warmer for you to use.

*If you are nursing, plan to nurse during your session. It might be just a quick snack, but it could be a full feeding. There is a couch available, a nursing pillow & you will have privacy. If you are pumping, please feel free to bring that along as well, as many moms find the need to pump during the session.