5 Tips for Preparing for Your Newborn Photoshoot

What do I bring? What do I wear? What do I need to do to prepare? That wasn't supposed to rhyme but it happened and I'm just going to let it happen! I get asked this a lot so I compiled a list of 5 things to do to prepare for your newborn session. Are you ready for them?

What to Bring

Food for baby! The baby will eat a lot more than they normally do for their session. If you're a nursing mother, please avoid any spicy or odd foods a day or two prior to the session just to avoid upsetting the baby's tummy. If you're bottle feeding, it's best not to change formula unless the baby is having issues with the current formula. A well-fed baby is a happy baby and a happy baby gets lots of great photos for their newborn session!

Also, please bring plenty of diapers. Baby will eat more than typical during their session and will likely soil more diapers than typical. I do have a few newborn diapers on hand as well but it's best to bring your own just in case they fit in a different size. 

Bring pacifiers. I can't tell you how many parents say their baby won't take a pacifier and/or they don't want to use pacifiers. That's fine with me if they don't ever want to give their baby a pacifier and I will try my best not to need one for the session but if their baby is grumpy sometimes just having a pacifier helps them get through their session. Please bring a pacifier for your baby.

Bring a Sleepy Baby

A sleepy baby is the best! We want the baby as tired as possible for their shoot. The more tired, the better! My go to advice is to tell parents to try to keep their baby awake for 2 hours prior to the session but I understand that it's difficult so the more the better. Make sure the baby is fed 30-45 minutes prior to the session. If the baby soils their diaper, we will change it before the session. It is good to bathe the baby prior to the session but not 100% necessary.

If your baby is scheduled for a circumcision prior to the session, please let me know. 

Prepare the Baby's Skin

Newborns have delicate skin that is sensitive to various products, so it's important to prepare their skin properly for the photoshoot. A few days before the shoot, give your baby a bath to remove any dried skin or oils especially if the baby has flaky skin and you don't want flaky skin in the photos. Avoid using any oils on the baby on the day of the shoot, as they tend to be shiny on the skin and affect the lighting during the session. Keeping your baby's skin bare, natural, and moisturized is best. 

Plan for Parent and Sibling Shots

It's best to wear clothing that you feel comfortable in. Note that the room will be quite hot to keep the baby comfortable and sleepy for the session. It's best to wear clothing that is cool for that reason. Simple, solid, neutral colors tend to work well such as white, tan, gray, or black. Siblings look great in simple, solid colors as well.

If you feel like you have nothing to wear for your session, you can always contact me to see if I have something in my client closet you can throw on real quick. I've had moms show up for baby-only sessions and then decide last minute to get in some photos with their baby and I will have them put on a simple dress or shirt. I know most parents are tired and just want cute photos of their baby but they typically cherish the photos with their baby just as much if not more because it shows that loving connection between parent and child. Those are the photos that end up being profile pictures. 

Plan for Plenty of Time

Newborn photoshoots can take longer than expected, so it's best to plan for plenty of time. Allowing for extra time can help reduce stress and ensure that you have enough time to feed, change, and soothe your baby during the session. Keep in mind that newborns can be unpredictable, and it's important to go with the flow and adjust your schedule as needed. It is best to have a way to take young siblings home after their photos as they tend to get uncomfortable with the heat and bored. 

In conclusion, preparing for a newborn photoshoot requires careful planning and consideration. By following these tips, you can ensure that your photoshoot is successful and that you capture beautiful, timeless memories of your little one. I am here to make you look your best! 

Yata Photography is a newborn photographer in Duluth, GA. If you're interested in a newborn session, feel free to contact me!