Congrats! Your family is now a little bit bigger (and a whole lot cuter). Although your new bundle of joy is going to be spending most of their time eating, sleeping, and crying, there’s no doubt that they’ll grow up in the blink of an eye. Since time is short and so very precious, we’d suggest that it is never too early to start planning your newborn photography session. This way, you can immortalize these wonderful, fleeting moments in your child’s life, by creating beautiful keepsakes which you will fondly look at for many years to come.
We know that newborns can be a handful, which makes planning for a photoshoot pretty challenging. So, we’ve provided 4 easy-to-follow tips that will help proud parents make sure that their upcoming newborn photo session is an absolute success.
1. Pick The Perfect Location For Your Newborn Photoshoot
According to Creekstreet.com.au for the upcoming newborn photography session, one of the first things that you will need to decide on is the location.
In my experience, I have noticed that some clients have decided to use their home as a convenient location for their newborn photo sessions. This brings several benefits, namely the fact that your newborn will be familiar with the location, you will have all your essential supplies already handy, and you will all be comfortable there.
However, that being said, family homes are not the best option for a photoshoot. This is because (especially since you’ve only just brought your little baby home) they’re often not the tidiest of faces. Brand new parents will often have homes filled with overflowing clothes hampers, and maybe the odd dirty mug on the side – no judgment, we’d be exactly the same! But this does mean that it’s not an ideal place to host a newborn photography session.
So, we’d recommend opting for a studio shoot. This is a fantastic, handy location for a newborn shoot for a number of reasons:
- It is clean, pre-prepared and fully organized (meaning you don’t have to worry about sorting any of these things).
- The photographer knows the setting well, so they can produce the best possible shots.
- You and your family will have plenty of space to get comfortable and relax, so the photographs will show your emotions just as authentically as an at-home shoot would do.
If you need some help with this step, we can work with you to pick out the perfect place for your session, or even help give you some ideas for alternative locations. In fact, one of the most popular trends that we have seen in 2024 is outdoor newborn photography, and we’d be delighted to help you bring these fun photoshoot ideas to life.
2. Keep Your Baby Safe And Healthy
Not only are newborns helpless, but they are also extremely delicate as well. As a result of this, you have to make sure that the location that you choose for your newborn photography session is safe. This is another reason why studios provide such a great option for the location of your newborn shoot. Be mindful of any sharp objects in this new space, and also be sure to keep your little cherub secure so that they don’t fall. But, other less evident factors, such as temperature, which could be a worry if you were, for example, outdoors, do not need to be considered in a studio, so this will take a significant weight off your shoulders.
Keeping the temperature warm and consistent will not be a cause for concern if your newborn photo session is going to take place indoors in a studio. However, if you are planning on having an outdoor newborn photography session, make sure that you pack suitable clothes and blankets.
3. Proper Preparation And Planning For Photoshoots
As a parent, you might be able to handle an extended photo session but your newborn will definitely need to take a break every now and again. You know how quickly a newborn can, out of nowhere, start to feel drowsy or hungry, and of course, you want to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible. Luckily, with studio shoots and a bit of forethought, it’s easy to ensure that your child is relaxed and happy for the entire session.
The truth of the matter is that a large portion of the time that you have set aside for your newborn photography shoot – which is pretty reflective of everyday life! – will actually be spent feeding, changing, or holding your little bundle of joy. As a matter of fact, because I’ve seen this happen time and time again during newborn photo sessions, I now give parents a fair warning of what to expect, so that they can be better prepared for their session.
To make sure that your newborn photo session goes as smoothly as possible, it is recommended that you make two checklists. One list will be for preparations that need to take place before the photo session and the other will be for supplies that you should take to the photo session. Ideally, these are the basic preparations that should take place beforehand:
- Your baby should be well-rested.
- Your baby should have a full tummy.
- Your baby should have a fresh nappy.
These three things should serve as the foundation for your list, you can then add more based on your personal preferences. In addition to this, for the actual photo session you should pack:
- Extra nappies.
- Extra wipes.
- Warm blankets.
- Trash bags/disposable bags.
- Extra clothes.
Even with all of your planning behind you, you should always be watchful, and keep an eye on how your child is feeling. That way, you can ensure that you are ready to adapt and improvise if need be. Maintaining this calmness and flexibility is a great way to make the most out of your time with the photographer, and secure yourself the best possible photos from the day.
4. Who Are The Co-Stars In The Newborn Photography Session?
Without a doubt, your little one is the star of the show. But, just because it’s a newborn photography session, that doesn’t mean that the rest of the family can’t get in front of the camera! When it comes to newborn photography, my personal specialty is capturing candid snapshots between parents and their babies.
Ultimately it is up to you to decide how simple or how elaborate you want the newborn photography session to be.
- Are you satisfied with just a couple of photos of your newborn baby?
- Do you want photos with the newborn baby and mom, dad, or the baby’s older siblings?
- Are you going to go all out and include extended family members, like grandparents and cousins?
- Do you want to include pets in the newborn photo session?
Remember that babies can be a little bit unpredictable, and newborn photoshoots take a considerable amount of preparation and planning to get right. Therefore, it is important to know well in advance who your newborn’s costars are going to be on their big day.