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Writer's pictureAbigail Smith

How to prepare for your newborn session

Newborn session in studio

First, congratulations on adding a little bundle of joy to your family! Whether this is your first baby, or you're adding to the bunch, this is such a special time and I'm honored that I get to capture it.


The first decision to make when considering your newborn session is whether you want to take photos in your home or in my studio, which is located in Hattiesburg, MS. If it's important to you that we capture baby's nursery and images of baby and your family in a familiar setting, then at home it is! If having professional photos in and of the nursery isn't high on your priority list, you may want to consider the studio. I've noticed that moms seem to be a bit more relaxed in studio sessions, mainly because I'm there to handle the baby and it gives them a moment to just relax.


If you plan on including siblings in your session, I have noticed that siblings, especially young ones, seem to be more responsive to photos in the studio, verses at home when they have toys and a tv to distract them. I will generally try to start with sibling photos, so if you choose to have your photos done at the studio, please bring a toy or iPad along with you so that they can be entertained while I do pictures of baby.


In-Home Session


In-home newborn session with mom and dad.

Let's talk a little about preparing your home for your newborn session. First things first: you do not have to clean your whole house for me. I promise I won't judge you if it's a bit of a mess. You just had a baby- it's totally normal! Whatever room(s) or areas you want photos in are the only areas that need to be tidy up for pictures.

Secondly, warm the house (or just the rooms we'll be photographing in) for baby. We'll be dressing and undressing baby a couple of times, so it's always best to keep it a little warm for them!


Lastly, be sure to give baby a good feeding right before I arrive. I like to take a few minutes when I arrive to check out the room(s) where we'll shoot and set up lighting if needed, so if baby is still finishing up eating, that's totally fine. If you have an outfit you want baby photographed in, we can start there. Dress baby in the outfit before you feed, just be sure to put a burp cloth or something over the outfit to protect it while you feed. If you want me to swaddle baby when I get there, have baby in just a diaper (wrapped in a blanket of course) while you feed. We'll try to minimize disturbing baby as much as we can right after feeding.


Studio Session


Newborn photoshoot in studio

If you choose to have your session at the studio, you can either feed baby before you come to the studio, or plan to feed when you get there- just let me know which you plan to do so we can account for a little extra time if you need to feed at the studio. If you have an outfit you want baby photographed in, we can start there. Dress baby in the outfit before you feed, just be sure to put a burp cloth or something over the outfit to protect it while you feed. If you want me to swaddle baby, have baby something that's easy to take off. We'll try to minimize disturbing baby as much as we can right after feeding.


Other than that, just be sure to bring a bottle if you can, a pacifier if they will take one, diapers and wipes, and anything else you want used in pictures.



Swaddles/Outfits


I like to try to limit swaddle/outfit changes to three times during a session. This goes for both studio and in-home sessions. If baby is doing good after the third change, we can always try to keep going- just depends on baby!


I will bring a few swaddles, blankets, and baskets with me to in-home sessions, and if you plan on doing a studio session, you'll have access to all of my props and outfits.


Newborn sessions are designed to be longer than any other session so that we can stop to feed, change a diaper, or wait for baby to settle a little. One thing I always want parents to remember is that every baby is different and we're on their timeline, so don't stress if we have to stop to feed or if baby is a little fussy. We'll make it work! I can't wait to work with you and meet the newest member of your family!


Newborn detail photo

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