So, you’re ready to book your first newborn session, congratulations! After so much love, time, energy, and labor, you finally get to hold the bundle of joy that you’ve been creating the past nine months. There’s no better way to remember this wonderful time in you and your child’s life than to capture their sweet, new faces in images that can be cherished forever. You probably want to ensure that your newborn photo session runs smoothly so that you can receive the best photos possible. They're only a newborn once, after all! As a professional newborn photographer of nine years, I’ve gathered all of my best tips into a handy Newborn Photo Session Prep Guide, detailed below, in order to guarantee that you get the most out of your newborn session.

1. What to Bring. 

When packing for your newborn session, make sure to bring extra diapers and wipes, extra formula bottles for feeding, and a pacifier. If you do not use formula, be prepared to feed the baby up to several times throughout the session. A full baby is a happy baby. Even if you choose not to use a pacifier all the time, bring one just in case the baby gets restless, as pacifiers can help calm them in a pinch. The studio, located in Glen Carbon, IL, will be warm to ensure the baby is comfortable when being photographed, but you can still feel free to bring extra blankets if needed. 

2. Prepare Your Babies

Making sure that your baby is happy before bringing them to their newborn session is essential in ensuring that we are able to get great photos. It is a good idea to keep the baby awake for at least 1 hour before the session so that they are more likely to be sleepy during the photo shoot. You can also give them a bath and put lotion on their skin before bringing them in so that they are clean, refreshed, and relaxed. If you or the baby’s siblings are also being photographed, make sure to clean their face and nose of all dirt or bodily fluids. Dress your children that are being photographed in neutral, solid colors, neon colors and patterns do not photograph well. Newborns will be wrapped in a coordinating color wrap upon arriving, so don’t worry about putting together an outfit.    

3. Have Fun

One of the most important things to remember when arriving for your session is to be positive and excited. This session should be a fun, intimate experience between baby and parents, so don’t stress! The better attitude that you and I have during the session, the happier and calmer your child will be, resulting in the best possible photos. If you know what makes your small child smile, please tell me ahead of time so that we can time the shots just right, making it easier to capture their beautiful, little smiles. Additionally, please arrive up to 15 minutes early for your session so that we can prepare accordingly to any issues that may arise before we start shooting, such as diaper changes and feedings. Arriving late will cut into your allotted session time!