newborn session guide

This guide is here to help you get prepped, ready, and excited for your upcoming newborn session! I’ll touch on everything you need to know to go into the session feeling confident and ready to get some killer portraits of you and your favourite people. Take a peek at all the tips and tricks I’ve accumulated for you and definitely reach out with any questions you may have!

LOCATION

When planning for a great session, your location choice is the perfect place to start.

Typically I like to do newborn session at your place. It’s comfy, personal, and unique to you and your family. You can read a bit more about why I love to come to you for the first session with your new arrival HERE.

If you’d rather get out of the house, I’m more than happy to host you at the studio for the session!

STYLE

First and foremost, you should feel comfortable in and great about your outfits! Pick something from your closets that you love, and that represents YOUR style – you certainly want to look like your awesome selves during your session, not someone else.

To start, let’s remember that this is a new chapter of your life and we’re likely doing the session within the first few weeks of your little one’s life. You don’t need to get into a ball gown or suit to help document this time in your life (nor do I think you want to haha). These sessions are meant to be cozy and comfortable so please feel free to choose your wardrobe accordingly.

Next, think of where these photos will be displayed. If you are looking for a great wall portrait, take a little bit of time to think of the location as well as the style of the room you will be hanging it in. Maybe you’re using the images for a coffee table album and want to have the wardrobe coincide with your living room. This usually gets clients thinking of colour tones, and textures that might work.

Lastly, know that you do want to coordinate, but be careful not to match completely. Neutrals always work in any background so maybe use one of those as your base. You can add a pop of colour here and there if you want to, especially to match the season or vibe you’re going for. Think about what your other family members will be wearing to the session as well and compliment each other as best you can! We’ll be in the comfort of your home, so the good news is that we won’t need to worry about the weather when making your selections!

Solid colours work great, and please be sure not to wear anything that will distract the viewer (ex. bright neon colours, very busy patterns, or large logos on clothing). For the little ones, it’s great to have a couple of options available that range from very plain onesies, to perhaps a particular outfit you love for him/her. Personal touches or accessories can definitely be incorporated if you want to, but are not necessary if none immediately come to mind! Sticking to the “Neutral” pallet as best you can always helps create timeless images that will look good anywhere!

Putting in a small amount of effort before hand will pay off when you see the finished product and how great you will all look! And finally, just a helpful reminder that both your hands and feet with be in a lot of the photos with your little one, so don’t neglect your sock choice, or the opportunity to give yourself a manicure!

Wondering if you can do a wardrobe change half way through a session? You absolutely can! We can swap for a second option, one that might offer variety, or even the second outfit you were dying to wear. Since we’ll be at your place it’s very easy to change a wardrobe! Check out some pallets as a good place to start!

EXPECTATIONS

So how do the newborn sessions work?

They are truly a ton of fun as we hang out with your little one and capture some of these first moments you’re all together! We’ll move our way through the rooms we’ve selected in your home, effortlessly working our way through some loosely posed images, and soaking up every bit of newborn adorable-ness.

Sessions normally last between 1.5-2 hours and are typically scheduled within the first few weeks of the baby’s arrival. I typically instruct parents to contact me once they’re home and getting settled after the baby is born. There is no immediate rush to book the session, and using your own comfort levels is typically the best guide. Parents are usually ready for visitors (and photographers) within those first few weeks so as soon as you are a bit more settled into your new role, I’m more then happy to set a date!

Your newborn proofing gallery will be up and ready for you typically within 2 weeks of your session, followed by a 1-on-1 consultation either in the studio or online to pick your favourite images! Based on what you’re looking for, there are printed products for the wall or the coffee table, as well as some digital collections. Truly something for everyone!

POSING

Let me start off this section by telling you that this is the number one fear of clients going into a family session, but it is the one thing that you definitely don’t have to worry about!

I can’t tell you how often I hear that clients haven’t been in front of a lens before, don’t like being there, and are worried about looking awkward. I think I hear it every single time, which is TOTALLY normal! It’s not your job to be a model, but it is your job to be yourself.

Take the pressure off your shoulders and know that I won’t lead you astray.

Everyone needs a little bit of guidance in terms of where to stand, how to highlight your best features and of course how to work with the setting. I’m really chatty through the sessions and will definitely help you get the hang of these things the entire time we’re together. By the time we hit the halfway mark, you’ll all be total pros!

Although I’m sure it’s easier then it sounds, I want you guys to be yourselves! All of the guidance I give my clients is totally to be taken in stride and is encouraged to be adapted by you based on your personalities! Even though you have me tagging along, I love to get to know my families as they are in everyday life...and being yourself will naturally shine through your portraits every time! I also don’t think that we’ll have any problems bringing out all the incredible emotions that parenthood brings!

Newborn sessions are always a good time, and I want you to know that they are always run at the little one’s pace. PLEASE DO NOT WORRY about needing to take a break to feed or change your baby. I’m expecting this to happen, and it’s the easiest way to keep our little model content. I’ll work at their pace - and just like you, they’ll warm up to the camera in no time!

If you have any hesitations, any minor insecurities or worries going into the session - I’d love to chat about them beforehand. Getting the most out of your session and ensuring you all have the best time possible is my number one priority!

So let any posing nerves be gone! Let’s have some fun and make some awesome images that capture the true nature of your family dynamic!

PRODUCTS

My favourite way for clients to enjoy their images is to have them on display in their home. Whether it’s to flip open a custom designed album on the coffee table or walk by the images as artwork in their home... printing your images is truly the best choice! Some portraits are just meant to fill a blank wall, those shots that are so “you ” or the ones that are epic. Personalizing your space and having a tangible way to enjoy the images you’ve invested in is the best decision you can make!

With the software I use, designing wall collections for clients right before their eyes is one of my favourite things to do. Walking you through the design process, offering some tips and tricks for what looks best and showing you a real-life mock up is all part of the process and helps you in getting the most out of your session!

There is something for everyone so I’d love for you to inquire about some product options before, during or after your session!

FINAL TIPS

Parents - If you have other kiddos, it’s a good idea to have a favourite toy or two on hand in case we need them! We’ll be at home, which is amazing as they can also take a break from the session if needed. They likely won’t be in every single image so breaking it up into section usually works best, and activities to keep them entertained in their down time is a great idea! Same thing goes for a mess-free snack that they can munch on half way through the session.

Feel free to talk to them about the session and why I will be joining you at your place! It might help them be a bit more comfortable with me from the get-go, but hopefully they will warm up to me either way.

Hopefully by this point you’re more excited than you were before and you’re feeling prepped and ready to go! I’m truly so thrilled I was chosen to help you update your family portraits! Investing in these moments that will become family heirlooms is something your future self and future generations will thank you for!

Of course, if there are any additional questions please drop me a line! If not, let’s go have some fun!!

- Lauren