September 7, 2018

Newborn Session Tips and Tricks – Courtney Elise Photography, Canton, GA

Tips and tricks for a successful newborn session

Welcoming a new baby into the world is a whirlwind experience! My job as a newborn photographer as Courtney Elise Photography in Canton, Milton, Cumming, Woodstock, and surrounding areas is to provide you with the information and knowledge I have gained over time to ensure we have the most successful session possible! My studio space in Canton, GA is designed to be a welcoming, comfortable space where you can sit back, relax, and take advantage of this time to rest while I work with your baby!

Before you leave…

A sleepy baby is an easy baby to photograph! Try your best to keep your newborn awake for at least an hour before coming. This will help them be in a deeper sleep for our session. One of the best ways to do this is to give them a bath to keep them awake. Another thing that helps baby sleep is a full belly, so please try not to feed them for two hours before your scheduled session. As soon as you arrive, I will ask you to go ahead and feed baby to get them into that “milk coma” and then we can get to work!

What to bring?

Extra breastmilk/formula: Like I mentioned, a sleepy baby is ESSENTIAL for a successful session. You can expect to be at the studio for at least 2 hours, and in that time baby will need to eat several times to keep their belly full. I have plenty of comfortable space for nursing or bottle feeding mama’s!
Pacifier: Whether your baby is taking a pacifier or not, they are helpful to have on hand. I only ask for it as a last resort, but they have saved several sessions of mine!
The basics: Food, diapers, wipes, burp cloths, car seat and nursing pillow if needed. I have all of the props, blankets, hats, headbands, and equipment needed for your session. If there is any particular prop or item you’ve seen in my portfolio that you’d like to use, please check with me first to be sure I still have the item.

What to wear?

For baby:

For your trip to the studio, I highly suggest dressing baby in light, loose clothing (a zip up sleeper is ideal). Keeping their diaper loose also prevents marks on their delicate skin.

For parents and family:

Solid, complimentary, neutral colors photograph the best (no white please)! The studio will be HOT, as this is the ideal climate to keep baby comfortable and sleepy. I recommend dressing lightly, and packing an extra set of clothes (baby will not have a diaper on)! If young children will be participating in family shots, we will take them first. In my experience, driving two cars and having one parent leave with the siblings after this portion of the session can be very helpful!

Newborns are unpredictable, but I hope that some of this information is helpful as you prepare for your session with me. Feel free to contact me at any time with more specific questions about the newborn session process!

Sweet Bella’s Mama followed all of the pre session instructions! Look how fabulous her newborn photography session photos turned out!