Newborn sessions can be slightly longer than the average portrait session and generally last closer to 2 hours. I like to give a newborn and their family time for feedings, burpings, diaper changes, snack breaks, etc. during our session. I don’t want anyone to feel rushed, hungry, or uncomfortable and therefore book plenty of time for newborn sessions.
The best time for a newborn session is when the baby is 5-14 days young. I do sessions in the comfort of your house. I generally take pictures in the nursery, parents’ room, and living room! If the weather permits we can take a couple shots on the porch or backyard. I like my newborn pictures to tell a story of the family, and a big part of that story is where they live!
BABY
In my opinion, newborns are best photographed naked, in a onesie, or in a swaddle. I like to use a newborn’s personal swaddles and blankets during our session! Make sure you have any swaddles, blankets or other props you want to use out and ready at the beginning of our session.
Please keep the baby awake for at least one hour before the session start. And feed the baby right before we start.
Outfits
CHOOSING THE COLORS
When choosing colors for your outfits, I recommend selecting softer, lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown, and white. Being that you will most likely have these images framed in your house at some point, pick colors that go with you, your style, the style of your home, etc.
COORDINATING THE CREW
As you’re coordinating your outfit with your family, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palette and wardrobe pieces coordinate, but don’t actually “match.” I recommend that you avoid thinking about “matching,” and instead think about what “fits” together. This will create more visual interest and allow each personality to shine through.
PETS
Our dog is huge part of our family, which is why I love when families choose to incorporate pets into their session.
We won’t use the pet in every single photo, so it’s also nice to have a room or backyard available to keep him or her in between shots.
If you’re going to include a pet, I recommend exercising your pet before the session and preparing your pet’s favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.
THANK YOU
I know that this guide is long, and hopefully, it covers everything you need to know to prep for your newborn session! However, if there is something I missed, or you need a recommendation, feel free to email contact@shelepova.com