I love welcoming brand new little ones to my photography studio! I want to make sure you and your baby have the best possible experience when you choose me as your New Jersey newborn photographer, and I believe knowing what to expect goes a long way towards feeling prepared and relaxed when it comes time to capture those photos. So, here’s how to get ready for your newborn session!
What to Bring
Before your newborn session, you’ll want to get ready by packing a few items to make sure you’re prepared for any eventuality. Babies can be unpredictable, after all! I recommend bringing:
Extra diapers and wipes in case of accidents. (This happens all the time, and everything at the studio is washable, so don’t worry!)
At least 3 receiving blankets.
A change of clothes for yourself. (Depending on baby’s mood, you may need to feed him/her at the studio, and again, accidents can happen! I want to make sure you have something clean and comfy to change into if needed so you can enjoy the full session.)
Extra bottles of formula or pumped breast milk. (Newborn sessions last from 2.5 to 3 hours, which allows time for feeding during the session if baby gets hungry.)
A pacifier. (Even if your baby doesn’t normally use one, a pacifier is super helpful if baby is fussy and needs some distraction.)
The Day of Your Newborn Session
We want baby to be sleepy at their session, so it’s a good idea to keep them awake for a while right before picture time.
About 45 minutes to an hour before you leave the house, keep baby awake with playtime or a bath.
About 20 minutes before you leave, feed them so they have a nice full belly.
When it’s time to go, dress baby in button-up or zip-up PJs (so it’s easy to change them at the studio.) Baby should fall asleep in the car on the way to the studio.
What to Expect at the Studio
When you get here, leave baby in their car seat. I’ll take the car seat from you and start getting baby ready. When you come in, you’ll hear white noise playing in the background, as this recreates a womb-like environment for baby and helps keep them calm. You’ll also notice that it feels tropical! I keep my newborn photo studio very warm to keep baby comfortable and sleepy. Dress in layers so you don’t get too hot!
And that’s it! Unless you’re participating in pictures or feeding baby, you can just sit back and relax with some bottled water and your favorite show on Netflix or Hulu while I capture images of your sleeping newborn.
Still have questions about how to get ready for your newborn session? Get in touch. I’m here for you! Can’t wait to see you and your newborn in the studio!