A 6 Step Guide On Preparing For Your Newborn Photoshoot

Preparing For Your At-Home Newborn Shoot

A 6 Step Guide On What To Expect

1. Preparing Your Home

You’ve just had a baby, life is hectic! You already have an A+ in my book just for scheduling this shoot. So let’s not add too much to your already full plate. I will gravitate towards the rooms with the best light. Typically that is the main bedroom and living room. Cleaning off nightstands and hiding any clutter beside your couch is about all you really need to do. Don’t worry about the rest, I will move anything else that is in the way or that I think is distracting to the shot.

2. Safety

I take the health of my clients very seriously. My own children have an auto-immune disease that is triggered by illness so I make sure to take extra care when it comes to stopping the spread of germs. I will continue to wear a mask to all newborn sessions. I will also notify you of any illness in my home and ask you do the same. Rescheduling is no biggie and trust me when I say you will NOT love the photos of your toddler while they are fighting a cold. You can photoshop out a lot of snot but not a bad attitude.

3. Getting Started

After washing my hands I will get started photographing the baby. Typically we will begin in the main bedroom. That will give me enough space to move around the baby freely so I can get nice close-ups and detail shots. If you have an older child, especially if that child is a toddler and not super excited about the photoshoot then we will play the scenario by ear. I will encourage the toddler to hop in and out of the scene as they like. I try to make the session as stress-free and fun as possible. We will let them lead so we can encourage their cooperation throughout our session.

4. Taking Breaks

Sometimes the baby needs some extra breaks during the shoot and that is 100% encouraged. The ROI on taking a 20 minute break for baby to eat, snuggle and get a fresh diaper is through the roof when it comes to having a cooperative baby for the remainder of the session. I also include free nursing/feeding images if you like.

5. Including the Family

Once I’ve finished up with the newborn portraits we will bring in the other family members. Expect photos of mom & baby/children, dad & baby/children, siblings & baby and then the entire family. We will even try to include the family pets! Feel free to mention any additional shots or combos that you think I might have missed.

6. After Your Shoot

I’ll get started editing right away. You can expect the online delivery of your gallery about 2-3 weeks after our shoot. I will email that link to you. You can share, download and order prints from that gallery. You also receive a print release so you are free to print at your preferred lab. However, I highly suggest ordering directly from your gallery. I use a professional lab and the quality is much better than the commercial labs that are open to everyone. Your gallery will remain online indefinitely. Even so, please download your gallery when you have some free time, just in case. You can refer to my original gallery email for the link. Then all you have left is to enjoy your images and email me again when you are ready for another newborn or family shoot!