Newborn Photography Prep Guide

The Newborn photography prep guide fits with our goal at Lori Roberts Photography is to create not only beautiful images but give every family the experience they deserve.  Newborn photography can be stressful.  Whether it be for first-time parents feeling overwhelmed, excited, nervous, and overly tired or an addition to an already growing family that has now added a new bundle of joy to the mix. Our goal is to provide as seamless a newborn photography session as possible.  Here are our top tips and top photography facts to give you some helpful insight to provide an overall easier experience for you and your family.

1. Newborn Photography Prep Guide | PREPPING YOUR BABY

• Please fully feed your baby right before leaving for the studio.
• Please avoid having any diaper ointment showing on the baby’s skin. If you are using it regularly, please be sure to clean any off before your session.
• Please remove all bandaids from your baby before your session.
• The morning of your session, dress baby in a loose outfit that zips or snaps up the front with a loose diaper and no tight socks.
• Even if your baby doesn’t typically use a pacifier, we ask that you bring one as it serves as a wonderful distraction for the baby during the session. They are incredibly helpful in keeping your little one happy when moving from pose to pose. Please bring a SOFT pacifier, such as the Soothie brand (without the stuffed animal attached). Pacifiers with a hard outer shell leave marks on the baby’s face.

2. Newborn Photography Prep Guide | DURING THE SESSION

• If siblings are going to be part of the session, the best method with siblings is to have them come at the start of the session only. Toddlers especially have a difficult time sitting quietly through a newborn session! Parents find the experience much less stressful when one parent or a friend/grandparent cares for the child for most of the session and brings them to the studio for their portion only. If you need to bring your older child for the duration of the session, please plan to keep them entertained with snacks, quiet toys, books, etc.!
• We have an area for parents to set up camp during the session. Take this time for yourself and just rest on the couch!
• We do our best to keep the environment of newborn sessions very calm and peaceful. The more relaxed everyone in the room is, the more relaxed the baby will be. For us this means pulling out our baby whispering skills, for parents, this means relaxing and letting the photography magic happen!
• Please do not take pictures over our shoulders during the session, except for behind-the-scenes shots (which we love!).
• Expect our patience and attention to detail to rule the day. We spend the majority of a session perfecting poses, backdrops, fingers, etc. and we believe these little things are what make the difference between a snapshot and a work of art featuring your baby. So that’s what we’ll do!

3. Newborn Photography Prep Guide | WHAT TO WEAR | MOMS AND DADS

• We want all of the focus of the image to be on the connection you share with your baby, rather than the clothing. Therefore, we suggest a simple black, white, or grey tank top for mom and a matching plain tee for dad with jeans. Mom/dad and baby shots are close up so most of what you wear will not be shown.
• Moms, keep make-up looking as natural as possible. Avoid using too much hairspray; soft hair photographs best with newborns. Be sure to take nail polish off, or paint your nails with a very neutral color. Avoid long earrings or necklaces. We want all the focus to be on you and your baby!
• Dads, if you’re wearing a new tee shirt be sure to iron out the sleeve crease in advance. Other than that, just relax. It will be over before you know it.
• Bring a change of clothes…you may be holding a naked baby. You get the idea.

4. Newborn Photography Prep Guide | WHAT TO WEAR | SIBLINGS

5. Newborn Photography Prep Guide | AFTER THE SESSION

6. Newborn Photography Prep Guide | STUDIO INFORMATION

• Have you read all of the newborn photography prep guide above? If not, go do that! If you have, then you’re ready for a great session. Our studio is located at 244 Northminster Court, Oshawa Ontario
• PARKING INFORMATION: Parking is available in the driveway