CHRISTINE SANTOS PHOTOGRAPHY

 

 

 

Here are my  top tips to help ensure that you have a wonderful session:

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1. Schedule your session in advance.

Newborn photo sessions are done between days 5 and 14. This is the time period that your baby is still flexible and sleeping a lot, so this is when you're able to get those cute little sleepy, curled up poses. If you would prefer photos to be taken while your baby is awake and more alert, you may want to schedule them for a different time period.

Because this window of time is so small and I book up so quickly, you will want to schedule your session far in advance. Generally, you should reach out to me during your second trimester. Tell me your due date to find out if I have availability. When your baby arrives, let me know right away and set your actual date and time for your newborn session.

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2. Schedule your session on sleeping time

Infants do sleep a lot, especially in those first few weeks. For those super cute poses, though, your baby will need to be able to get into a deep sleep. As much as possible, keep your daily routine when it's close to time for your session.

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3.I will include you and your partner on this session

Nothing more natural than taking advantage of this session to take pictures with your baby, I will help you in the poses to result in pictures that last forever.

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4. Think about where you plan to hang images

For those who know they will be printing photos and are interested in wall art or albums – it is important to start thinking about what are some of your favourite colours and how they coordinate with your décor. Will you be hanging your images in nursery, living room, or bedroom? this will be an important part of your pre-session consultation. In short, be sure to ask yourself what you want to do with these gorgeous photos of your baby. This will help communicate your vision and expectations.

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5.Your Pre-session consultation

When your photoshoot is booked and confirmed, I will contact you to schedule the online or in-person  pre-shot consultation. Firstly, we will talk about your session requirements and any ideas you might have. Secondary, we will discuss the styling options, clothing ideas, accessories and the preferred colour palette. All those elements can influence the mood and the tone of the portraits, therefore it is very important to review them in advance. Finally, we will draft your session plan, so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive for your photoshoot experience

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 6. Dress yourself appropriately – the studio is nice and warm.

Most pictures of your baby will be naked, and you don't want your baby to be cold. The studio will be kept warm for newborn photo sessions (if it will be at your home, crank up the temperature about half an hour before you begin), so you want to dress prepared for that yourself. If you are hot natured and you dress warmly, chances are you will get hot. I would suggest to dress in layers so that you can get more comfort able.

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7. Don’t dress up your baby before the session – loose diaper and sleeper is all you need.

Before your session begins, put on a loose, clean diaper and keep your little one warm and happy in a swaddle blanket (home sessions) or a sleeper (studio sessions). Keeping the diaper loose helps to avoid any marks or lines from the diaper, and it also makes it easier to take the diaper off without handling your baby too much. Sleepers with zippers are excellent and easy for parents and photographers – I can attest to this from both positions – as a mom and a photographer.

If you have certain clothing you would like your baby to wear during her photo session, have those prepared and ready beforehand, but don't dress your baby in until it's necessary. Keep them close and ready for when I will be ready for them.

 

8. Relax and watch me work my magic.

There are many adorable, creative poses on the internet, but as an experienced photographer I will not do anything that jeopardizes your baby's safety. Number one priority is keeping your baby safe and comfortable, so I may ask you or your spouse to sit by your little one or to lend a hand to help keep your baby safe in certain poses or props. Certain images are composites ( 2 or more images combined) to ensure your baby's safety the entire time.

Trust my level of knowledge and training, and when I says you can sit back and relax, you can. As a woman who went through the experience of delivering three babies, I understand how my clients may feel when coming to my studio – excited, nervous, and most of all tired. I empathize and communicate with my clients in a way that helps them relax. I play soft, spa-like music throughout the session and listen more than I talk. It can be hard for a mother to see someone else handling her baby, but I am used to work with newborns and worried parents, and I knows what to do. You will see me patiently calm your baby and position him as needed for the photos. In my newborn sessions I treat every baby in a way that I would want a stranger to treat my baby.

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9.Some items to bring with you

Finally, I have just a few recommendations for things to bring with you to your newborn's photo session. If you're not breastfeeding, bring an extra bottle or two, just in case. Pacifiers can work magic even if your baby don't really like it – trust me on this! You may have several diaper and clothing changes. If you can remember to, bring a clothing change for yourself as well. Hopefully you won't need it, but you want to have it in case you do! If you have any special blankets, clothes, or other props you want in your photos, discuss that with me and bring them along. You also may want to bring some snacks for yourself in case you get hungry while you're waiting for the session to be finished.

In reality, newborns can be pretty unpredictable. It's hard to know for sure how your newborn is going to do being photographed, so keep these tips in mind, but also be patient. Newborns can be fussy, they get hungry, and sometimes they decide they're just not tired after all. Please know that you cannot prepare enough for the photo session to go flawlessly – your baby will run the show no matter what you do! Hopefully these  tips alleviate some of your concerns so that you feel more prepared for and excited about your photo session, so that you can relax and start planning and preparing for your baby.

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If you are looking for an Essex newborn photographer, contact me. I can answer any other questions you may have about scheduling your newborn session, preparing for it, and what to expect. I would love to work with you and your brand new bundle of joy!

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