Now that your precious newborn has finally entered the world, you’re ready to capture every single sweet moment. If you’ve scheduled your newborn photo session with Edwardsville photographer Conner James Photography, you’re in great hands! Owner and photographer Christine is more than just a pro in newborn photography. Get comfortable while she tells you what to expect during your baby’s first photography session.
What is the process during a typical newborn photoshoot?
Once the family arrives at my home studio, I undress and swaddle the newborn in a colored wrap of the parent’s choosing. My studio is heated and kept that way during the entire photoshoot. I do this by design to keep newborns very warm and very comfortable. The warmer the baby is, the better they will fall asleep (if awake) and stay asleep if already catching a snooze. A sleeping newborn makes for a better session and better photos.
Photo sessions are two hours long. In that time I will change the newborn’s wrap up to three times. Nearly 100% of the time, the newborn stays asleep during all wardrobe changes. I attribute this to:
1). The baby having a full belly, and
2). Keeping the studio extremely warm
I will try to get each newborn photographed in 5-6 different studio props while they are wrapped. The end of each session is when I take nude photos (per the parents request). Newborns burn calories to keep themselves warm so I have an assistant making sure there is adequate heat directed at the baby during all nude sessions. After being a professional newborn photographer for nearly 13 years, I’ve learned how to move quickly while still achieving the parent’s dream of flawless, beautiful newborn photos.
What suggestions do you have for keeping the baby calm and comfortable?
I stand by three of the same answers for this question. If parents want their newborn to be calm, comfortable and sleepy throughout the photo session, the baby MUST be:
Freshly fed
Successfully burped
Kept very warm
I understand newborn’s can be finicky with feedings. They can cluster feed, eat several ounces then spit it all up and want more right after, etc. New mom’s can’t help this, and that’s okay! But if mom’s can get their newborn to eat even a little bit right before the photo session, it’s a big help. Sometimes, all the baby needs is a little bit to top them off.
I also need to stress how important it is that the newborn gets burped and actually burps. Many times my newborns may need a quick meal but don’t get a good burp or two out. This typically turns into a very gassy, uncomfortable, fussy newborn that won’t and can’t fall back asleep. No matter how well they are wrapped or how warm they are, a gassy baby will never be a settled baby. If my newborn is fed and burped, parents can leave the “keep the newborn warm” part to me! Because once they hit my super warm studio, it’s all sweet dreams from photo start to finish!
What types of props and settings do you use to create such beautiful images?
In my many years as a newborn photographer, I have gathered some of the cutest, most unique props and backgrounds. Everything from adorable wooden beds and hammocks to crescent moons, dreamcatchers and baskets. I love to showcase just how tiny each newborn is and that can be easily done by placing them inside of a bucket or a bowl. When I start my sessions with a newborn, I don’t go in with a plan. I just let my creativity fly and spark new ideas for capturing the most beautiful milestone of that new life. Chances are, if the parents want it or dream it - I can achieve it!
So, there it is! Just a few things to expect during your newborn’s first photoshoot. If you haven’t already, book your spot with the expert - Glen Carbon photographer Conner James Photography.
Outgoing Links:
1. [Collinsville, IL Chambers of Commerce](https://www.collinsvilleil.org/business/chamber-of-commerce)
2. [Once Upon A Child Edwardsville](https://www.onceuponachild.com/locations/edwardsville-IL)
3. [Expertise](https://www.expertise.com/)
4.[Professional Photographers of America](https://www.ppa.com/)
5.[Village of Glen Carbon IL Website](https://www.glencarbonil.gov/)
6.[The Wooden Nickle Pub and Grill](https://www.woodennickelglencarbon.com/)