Tips for your Newborn Session
Sessions are typically around 1.5-2 hours in length and are scheduled either in a studio in Chattanooga, Knoxville or in your home. We work off baby time so that includes, feedings, clean ups, rocking the baby, soothing, ect. You also have the option to do a Lifestyle session in your home rather than a studio session. Here’s an example of a lifestyle session: https://www.jacquelinephotographyblog.net/?p=17391
To prepare baby for the session I suggest unclothing the baby and leaving a loose tab diaper on the baby and placing them in their car seat and covering with blankets. This is an assurance of no clothing marks or indents on the skin. I also recommend placing a blanket over the entire car seat before removing it from the car so that the sun beaming into the baby’s eyes will not wake them. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving baby without clothes, just dress baby in a simple outfit that is very easy to take off.
Before leaving your house, it’s a good idea to clean the baby’s eyes with a warm wash cloth and to check baby’s nostrils for anything unsightly that you don’t want photographed. Also, if the baby has dry skin put lotion on before leaving home, or coconut oil works really well. It’s best if you can feed the baby prior to leaving the house for your session, or if you have a long drive you can feed baby once you arrive. We want baby to have a full tummy and be nice and sleepy.
Mom, Dad and Siblings What to wear: I recommend choosing neutral, soft colors. My client closet is available to mom and I also have dresses for little girls. For dad, jeans are great, cotton t-shirts work best. For women, keep jewelry to a minimum but wedding bands are of course good to wear, but no watches. Mom, feel free to wear comfy bottoms too, yoga pants or maxi skirt work just fine since we don’t focus on your legs for the pictures, they are mainly waste up. Please be mindful of low cut or V-neck tops. No sweatshirts or sweaters please. Bright colored nail polish really stands out so keep nails simple. Khakis do not photograph well in these sessions. And men, please do not wear a white t-shirt under your black/dark shirt.
Newborn will not need any clothing for the session. Young siblings can wear other colors, as long as they are cohesive with the adult colors. No need to make everyone match in the same color. Browns, tan, ivory, light pinks photograph the best.
For siblings, I have outfits for kids up to a 4T for girls and for boys if you bring a pair of jeans he can wear no shirt and I have suspenders we can add. I always start with the newborn and then shortly after getting baby wrapped and settled in I will add sibling(s) in, and throughout the session I will bring sibling(s) in and out so they don’t get bored. I always end with family photos so mom and dad will have time to get themselves ready while I’m focusing on baby. I have lots of toys in the studio for kids to play with but it’s always a good idea to bring their favorite toy, book, snack or anything else you think they’d enjoy.
Nursing Mothers: Please avoid spicy food the night before and the day of session to prevent baby from having gas. If baby is gassy I recommend bringing Gripe Water or Hyland’s Colic pills to our session. It’s also helpful to bring a bottle ready in case baby decides to cluster feed.
Please consider bringing a change of clothes for everyone in case of an accident. Be sure to bring lots of burp cloths, blankets, wipes and diapers. Also, I highly recommend bringing a pacifier even if you haven’t give baby one yet, they help a fussy baby calm and fall asleep so please have one handy.
All hats/props/headbands you see on my site I have in studio, so you don’t need to bring anything unless there is something special you would like to incorporate in the pictures.
I look forward to working with you and your family!
by Jackie
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