- Kristina Spataro

Everything you need to know before a newborn photo session:

I will bring my own props to your shoot… bowls, baskets, blankets, hats and headbands. Just let me know if you have your own props that you would like to be included in your newborn session too. It can make for some really special and memorable images if you include some objects that are special to your family. Please let me know of your ideas, props or poses that you have in mind before the day of your session. That way I can make sure I have everything we need to make your ideas happen!

Be Patient! Newborn sessions can last anywhere from 1-2 hours. Every baby is different, every day is different, and every session is different. I never rush a newborn session. There is no rush. During your session, I may have stop a couple times for you to feed the baby, soothe them, change them, or just take a break to breathe. Don’t get frustrated if baby doesn’t cooperate like you hoped and isn’t sleeping very well…we’ll get some beautiful shots with eyes wide open. Newborn sessions are a waiting game. I will get the shots we need, so don’t stress.

Lets put that baby in a milk coma! If you can feed baby while I set up all of our equipment, baby will be nice and passed out when I am ready to start working with them. Throughout your session, I will probably have to stop at least once to feed baby again. We are in no hurry, a happy baby makes happy parents and a happy photographer!

Newborns are used to being bundled up in blankets and cuddled so when we take off their clothes for their photos they aren’t very happy! So go ahead and turn up the thermostat to approximately 77 degrees. The heat will help them sleep better and to stay calm longer ,even though us adults may be sweating a bit.

Worried because your house is a mess? Don’t worry about that for even a second! Nearly every home I go into for a newborn session there are dishes piled in the sink, dirty baby clothes
everywhere, and clutter all over. You just had a baby! It’s normal and expected!

Before I arrive, please go ahead and open up all of the curtains and blinds around your home. This helps me find the best source of natural light in your home. The area with the best natural light is where I will set up our mini studio. Natural light is the most beautiful and flattering , so I try to use it whenever possible. Sessions are preferably done mid-morning to late-afternoon because that is when the best natural day light is coming through your windows. The best area in your home can be anywhere…a foyer, nursery, dining room, or kitchen…usually wherever there is a large window. I’ll also most likely need to move some furniture around a bit, but I will always put it all right back where it belongs when I am done.

The majority of my newborn sessions take place in your home. If the weather is warm enough and you’re comfortable with the idea, we can take the session outdoors. I choose to bring my “studio” to you for a newborn session because new parents and new babies are always more comfortable in a familiar space. Many new parents don’t want to take their 7 day old baby out in public and they absolutely don’t have to, I totally get that! And when I was a brand new mom, a couple days postpartum, there was no way I was getting dressed up and going out to a photography studio for photos. No thank you! Also, it is SO much easier to soothe and care for the baby’s needs in the family’s own home. I also like to get photos of the baby in different areas of the family’s home; crib, parents bed, etc. Lifestyle photography is very popular among our clients right now so doing newborn sessions in family’s homes allows us to get two types of sessions done at one time!

There are so many factors that have to come together for the session to go smoothly. There’s a bit of prep and planning that needs to go into these sessions to make them more successful though. I’ve compiled a few tips below to help us get the very best out of your upcoming newborn session. It’s best if you get scheduled prior to your baby’s birth to make sure I have availability. Just give me a call or email me in your second trimester (if possible) and I will put you on the calendar. Then, just shoot me an email after you deliver, as soon as you can, so we can arrange a date and time for your newborn session. Newborn sessions need to be scheduled within the first 14 days of the baby’s life. I really suggest trying to get the session scheduled between 7-14 days after their arrival of the baby. These are the days that your sweet little baby will be it’s sleepiest, so we can move them into those sweet sleepy newborn poses. .

The sooner the better! I take a limited number of newborns each month, so that I can maintain the flexibility necessary for these sessions. I understand that there is a good chance your baby will not come on his/her due date! Once you sign a contract and pay the retainer fee, you will be “soft booked”. Then I simply ask mamas to keep in touch with me if you happen to delivery early or are running late. I love to receive a text with a picture of your new arrival too! Once your baby is born we will communicate to move the session forward or back accordingly to ensure that your session takes place within the first fourteen days of life. Newborns are most sleepy, comfortable, and cooperative to be posed during their first 2 weeks and especially when they are 7-14 days old. It’s hard to believe, but these tiny tots go through a growth spurt at just 14 days. This means they may be irritable or uncomfortable. Also, baby acne may kick in and skin may become flaky. So plan to have your session as early as you can. If that isn’t possible for any reason, you can still have a session, however it may take more time and a bit more effort to convince your little one to settle into the precious poses.

Your session date and time will be scheduled after birth.

I request a retainer of $200 to book all sessions. The retainer will be applied to your session fee. The remainder of the fee is due at the time of the session. I don’t do payment plans at this time.

Because your baby has been in the womb at 98.6 degrees for the last nine months, I have the heater running in a room where we will be taking pictures. So please dress appropriately! White noise is played to assure baby is sleeping sweetly through the poses and there will be quiet music playing in the background.

Sessions are baby led and usually last anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on the type of session chosen as well as the baby. Sessions begin with a feeding, as babies with full bellies tend to sleep well. Please be prepared to feed on demand if breastfeeding, or have extra bottles if bottle feeding. If you are nursing, please avoid spicy and gassy foods both the day before and the day of the session. I also recommend having a pacifier on hand, even if baby is not taking one. I use this soothing tool when baby is not hungry, but needs pacification while posing. Please also prepare a soft blanket to wrap baby in between poses.

If baby has a sibling, I will start by posing the baby with the sibling and then move on to parents shots. Once we finish family poses, it’s a good idea for one of the parents to take sibling home or for a walk, so we could concentrate on the newborn session. Children, especially younger ones, can become restless in a warm, small room.

After baby is born

We will chat after you give birth for direction as far as the color scheme that you would like to use. From there, I will choose props, outfits and backdrops that I feel will accomplish the look you desire. If during the session you see something that I am using that you do not love (Or the opposite: you see something that you love that I am NOT using) just let me know so I can accommodate!

For moms, dads and siblings, I recommend solid, light colored clothing. White shirts and tan pants are always a good option! Light and simple clothing so that nothing distracts from the newest addition. For your newborn, I have everything that he/she will need! Most of my props are hand-made to fit my style of photography, so store bought clothes typically don’t fit in. However, if you have something of sentimental value, please feel free to bring it for the session.

I’m worried my baby won’t sleep at the session, what happens if baby is unsettled or awake?

That’s just part of working with babies! They run the show, and they’re my little bosses. If baby is awake then I will take awake photos for a short amount of time, and then baby will need to be wrapped and comforted back to sleep. I can only try all the tricks I know. I like to use white noise, shushing, pacifiers if needed, moms can feed extra, and sometime dads just have that magic touch too. Only babies that are in a deep sleep can be unwrapped and posed in naked or semi-naked poses. Please try to have zero expectations on your new precious baby. The main thing is getting beautiful photos, not forcing them to do poses they’re not comfortable doing. If your baby is crying and we can’t settle them with what we know usually works, we will discuss rescheduling.

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