Hudson Photography

How to prepare for your newborn/Baby Shoot!

Just a few pointers for you guys what to prepare etc to get the most from your session & amazing pictures.

Who?

First thing first, what do you want from the session? Do you want a natural set of photographs or a more posed set? This is something to really think about as they are only babies once! We Prefer to keep Our Newborn sessions Intimate with Just Baby & Parents, But If You have other children we can certainly get shots of you all together included in your newborn package. We usually Get family shots towards the end of the session.

Having a baby is exciting & the whole family want a photo with your new baby, This isnt included in your newborn package as it sets a tense and slightly chaotic atmosphere during the shoot, We need the space we are in to be a chilled and calming enviroment.

If family members do want shots with baby, This will need to be a seperate family session.

Possibly write a list of the shots you were wanting/ had in mind and pintrest is great for ideas. Feel free to show us your ideas and we can make them happen!

 

Happy Baby

So newborns and young babies are unpredictable, sometimes on the day of the shoot they will wake up in a mood or be tearful & Clingy. If this does happen, stay calm. Babies will sense stress and react from it. This will help when it comes to the actual session as hopefully baby will be calm and soothed and ready to photograph.

Warming up the room we will be shooting in is essential. So heating on, if you have a fan heater to hand that is also great as it will be direct warmth. This will relax your baby enabling us to get the most relaxed shots we can and also stopping baby from getting cold during nappy/naked shots.

On The day of the session feed baby just before we arrive. This will also help in the quest to get a happy baby and feel free at any point during the shoot to stop & top up feed. It May sound crazy and asking a lot (especially of mothers with young babies) but try to limit your caffeine intake the day of the session if you are breastfeeding.

What Will We Do?

 

Other than taking the actual photographs we will be on hand to help out with the baby during the session, whether this is cuddling to sleep, giving mum time out to watch and enjoy... We will be there.

We will also provide a white noise play list, sometimes white noise helps, sometimes it doesn’t... But anything is worth a try.

 

We are comfortable holding the baby, so try your hardest not to stress about us holding baby, moving baby, posing baby etc….

 

 

What Is Needed From You?
We will need your co operation, And help with the baby (We cant feed them , change nappies etc… ). But if the baby is to upset and crying we may ask to spend some time with the baby whilst you are at the other side of the room or making a hot drink. Sometimes the baby loses focus and can only smell their mums… and that’s what they want... Time away may change this idea of wanting mummy then and there and we can get back to shooting.

Also have wet wipes, spare nappies, change of clothes, props, blankets, baby lotion and if baby uses soothers have a soother to hand.

 

You may be asked also to assist if we need support for the baby, for more posed shots we will need your assistance in holding babies head etc...

 

Most of all we need you to enjoy yourself relax and create a beautiful memory of the session. Yes you have beautiful images. But was the session beautiful if you were stressed?

 

 

When?

So newborns are best photographed between 5 – 10 days. They are sleepier in the 1st 2 weeks so more chance of a cry free session.

 

Where?

 

Most newborn shoots are done in your home. We don’t suggest doing an outdoor session with your newborn. If you are in your home you have everything for the baby at hand, baby can be kept warm, dry etc... And I doubt you will want to walk up & down a park 5-10 days after giving birth.

 

That’s it. Slight essay but reading it will prove worth it on the day of your shoot. Most of all we want you to be yourselves and to enjoy the day of the session to the best you can!

Look forward to meeting you and your little darling!

Jazz & Abraham