How to get ready for your Newborn photoshoot
If you are wondering how does a newborn photoshoot work, what happens, how long does it last and what you should bring or wear, this is the article for you, continue reading !
How long does it last ?
It would usually last up to 2 hours, depending how baby feels.
When should I book it ?
Book your session after your 20 weeks scan.
We will pencil a date for 7-10 days after your due date.
Just let me know once baby is here and we can re-adjust the date.
Be organised
It’s best to prepare everything a few days ahead of your photoshoot. For instance, lay your outfits on your bed one week before and check that you are all happy with it. If you need my opinion, please send me an email or a whatsapp, and I will happily support.
You will also get access to my client’s wardrobe, so have a look at the link you will receive if you fancy wearing one of my beautiful dresses.
What do I need to bring ?
Your outfits - feel free to arrive in comfy clothes and change at the studio. I also have a client’s wardrobe with lot of beautiful dresses for mums and babies.
For postpartum mamas, anything to make you comfortable e.g your cushion, ice packs, heat packs, nipple cream, any medication. Also bring white or nude bra and underwear, as some of my dresses are a bit see-through.
For newborn baby :
Extra nappies & wet wipes
A dummy (if you're happy to use one, even if they haven't had it before as they're useful for soothing)
For bottle fed babies, more milk than you think you might need
Anything sentimental you want to be captured in the photo, like a blanket knitted by grand-ma
For older siblings :
Something to make them laugh or favourite teddy / toy
Post-photo entertainment - iPad, book, toys etc. , please DO NOT get the ipad out at the beginning !
Non-messy treats for bribery purposes! - raisins, crisps
A change of clothes for little ones who like to dribble!
What should we wear ?
First, have a read through my Styling guide (you will get access to it after your booking is confirmed).
If you haven’t booked yet, here are the main recommendations :
Don't wear neon bright colours, stripes, patterns or logos and remove everything in your pockets.
Keep accessories to a very minimum.
Keep make-up & nail polish natural and if possible, avoid fake tan.
I recommend neutral and simple colours & tones (white, cream, beige, light brown or grey, muted pink or pastel colours), so the focus will be on you rather than on what you wear, and it will make your photos timeless. Adding texture is also a good idea.
Wear something light as the room will be warm for baby. Dads can wear beige shorts for instance, with a white t-shirt
Most importantly, Be yourself !
For Dads, remember to empty your pockets before the photos !
Prepare Baby
Ideally we want your baby to be fed and sleepy before the session. You can feed him/her at home just before you leave or on arrival at the studio.
If you can, try to keep baby awake 1 hour before your session. They will probably fall asleep in the car, and that’s all right !
Around 30min before you leave, make sure to change baby’s nappy and change them. It’s easier if baby can wear something easy to revove at the beginning of the session, like a zip-up pyjama for instance.
When you will arrive at my studio, I will undress baby and put him/her in the outfit we have chosen.
If baby is happy and sleepy, we will start straight away the session. If not, we will give him/her a little top up of milk. I have a feeding cushion at your disposal too. After the top-up, we want to keep baby upright and get those burps out so they are comfortable.
It’s your photoshoot day !
Today is your photoshoot, yeah !
As soon as you get there, get your little ones (if there are older siblings) changed into their photoshoot outfit so they can relax, get used to the space and play with the toys.
Have a seat and a cup of tea or coffee while I walk you through the process again and answer any questions you would have.
The pace of the shoot will be very slow if it’s just the parents and baby. If they are toddlers, we will work faster at the beginning.
Try not to get frustrated with your older kids, it’s absolutely normal to want to throw any siblings out of the window at some point!! Please don’t apologise if your kids refuse to get in the photos or throw a tantrum, I do this all the time and this is totally normal! And don’t ask them to smile or look at my camera, it’s better when it looks natural and not forced.
If it goes “wrong” ? don’t stress out. The session is baby-led, which means we will go at baby’s pace. That’s why we have a 2 hours slot. I have seen it all, from the poonami, to the milk coming back up. Babies are unpredictable, but usually it’s one of very few things they need : they are hungry, they are tired, they are gassy, or they just want a cuddle.
Let your toddlers be little
Sometimes siblings, toddlers especially, might need time to warm up to a new person. Let them watch me work with no expectations. This gives them a chance to relax, feel safe and to see how fun the experience is. Don't ask them to smile or say "cheese". Let me lead the way with them and if I need your help, I will let you know.
Read my Blog post about the best tips to have a stress-free photoshoot with toddlers.
What type of poses do you do and can parents be included ?
Of course parents and siblings will always be included in the photos:)
I want to capture your family and the love you share.
Depending how baby feels, I would usually start shooting baby on my bean bag and then in parents’s arms.
Babies love to be swaddled, it always calm them. I also use white noise and background music during the session which helps make them sleepy.
We will do a few poses with :
Dad + baby
Mum + baby
Baby alone
Baby + siblings
All together
You can take a break at any time and of course feed baby whenever he/she needs it.
If you have something sentimental you would like to be included in the photos, please bring it along, if it’s a favourite teddy or a blanket that grandma got you!
Finding my studio
Don’t worry, I will send you a reminder the day before via text message or whatsapp, so you don’t have to search through all your emails the night before ! My address is written in your Welcome guide too.
Getting dressed at my studio
You don’t need to wear your outfit before travelling. You can arrive in comfy clothes and get changed at my studio.
Expect to be warm
The studio will be heated so baby is comfortable and sleepy, so we might sweat ! Dad, feel free to wear a short , and Mum can wear a summer dress.
Prepare to be present
There are very few times in life when we are completely switched off from the outside world and totally present - make this time one of those. Take this time to breathe each other in, be present and remember why you are doing this. You are capturing precious memories you will cherish forever and making your baby feel loved and adored. No expectations, no worries about the end result, pick your outfit and relax - I will handle the rest.
Create emotions
To show emotions & connections on the photos, I will pose you very close to each other. Touching each other is the best way to create connection, like forehead against forehead, or Mum resting her head on her partner's chest while he/she is holding baby. I will either ask you to look at baby or look at each other (and sometimes at my lenses, but that’s the photo for the grand-parents!). So be prepared to be all squishy !
That’s the main things you need to know :) If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me. Ideally you want to be prepared for your photoshoot before you give birth, so you won’t have to worry about the little details once baby is here!
Have a burning questions ? Please contact me below I will be happy to help, or send me an email at hello@clairedubostphotography.co.uk
