A guide for a wonderful newborn photoshoot experience - When and where to book your newborn shoot

It seems that post-lockdown baby boom is real. This Spring I have met so many couples expecting their little one, that is truly the most wonderful way to start the new photography season. Nature is in bloom and parents are in love with the new babies. So much hope after a truly hard year.

In case you are expecting or have recently welcomed your new baby, here’s a simple guide for a wonderful newborn photoshoot experience.

When do I need to book my newborn photoshoot?

• Most photographers offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to a newborn photo shoot. Feel free to get in touch during your third trimester and we can schedule a date (around 10 day mark after your due date) and touch base closer to the time. The session date is easily moved around depending if the baby arrives earlier or later; if you prefer weekends or weekdays. Sometime grandparents decide to visit the new family member and we can move the date as to accommodate having them in the photos as well.

When should I schedule my newborn photoshoot?

• When the baby is 1-3 weeks old.

  If possible, I would say during the baby’s first three weeks. They are this tiny only for a short period of time and then quickly lose their newborn features. The new baby wrinkles, the tiny feet, the sleepy faces, all this sweetness deserves to be captured before the hazy sleepless nights steal those memories away from us.

• Anytime during the first 3-4 months.

  Some mothers feel they need more time to adjust to post-partum and that is absolutely fine. It’s very important for you to feel comfortable and relaxed, to be able to enjoy a morning together and appreciate that wonderful new family routine. There’s so much love in this new routine (yes, even in diaper changes and breastfeeding struggles) and I want to capture it all for you. The amazing thing about babies is that they are perfect at any age, so you can have a family session at the one month mark or even later.

  Around 3-4 months, there’s a growth spurt and babies usually lose all their newborn features. This is when they emerge out of their new baby shell and you can clearly see their smiles and personality shine through.

  To sum up, there’s no PERFECT time to schedule your new baby and family photoshoot. The images will be amazing because they will capture all the loving moments of connection, no matter when you schedule your newborn photoshoot. It's insane how fast time flies and the photos will be a forever reminder of the every little thing that makes this new family life so beautiful.

What should I wear for a newborn photoshoot?

• Comfort is key, especially for new mothers.

• Plain pastel and neutral tones work wonders in family photography. They are subtle and add a bit more romance to newborn photos.

• If you prefer darker colours, you can’t go wrong with jewel tones. They look good and can easily be balanced with lighter tones.

• For the baby, it’s best to keep things as simple as possible. A white onesie and a knitted blanket works wonders. If your baby is older, a simple outfit with no large patterns or writing on it will do just fine. However, I personally like to show as much skin as possible, so I would say no need to stress too much over the outfit choice.

• If you are breastfeeding, you can choose a maternity dress or blouse so we could capture this incredible motherhood journey during our newborn photo session.

• The only things to avoid are bright fluorescent colors and large patters. The former tends to reflect way too much color onto the skin tones and bold patterns steal the attention away from what’s important in newborn photography - the smiles and the connection.

Do I need props for newborn photography?

• Do you need props? No! Do you want them? If yes, then I would recommend searching and booking a studio photographer that can accommodate easier newborn photography with props.

• My natural newborn photoshoot style doesn’t require any props or special outfits. The only think I might ask you to bring is a blanket. Newborns tend to run cold so a blanket most of the time comes in handy for baby portraits. Otherwise, all you have to bring is your love for each other and your warm smiles.

Where to organise a newborn photoshoot?

• For a stress-free experience, you can meet your photographer at home. Indoor lifestyle newborn sessions at home tend to be more relaxed. Everyone is in their element, that makes those nappy changes and feeding breaks a joy rather than some complicated logistical affair.

  Naked babies, messy hair... Raw, honest and beautiful family life. You can surrender yourself to daily moments of tenderness, love and even chaos and let your photographer capture all that in your home.

• If your home has a garden, then it is the best of both worlds. It will allow a mix of lifestyle and documentary portraits, the perfect approach to capturing big beautiful moments and the smaller emotional candid moments that you will look back on for years to come.

• In you prefer an outdoor family photoshoot (which I understand perfectly, especially now during pandemic times), I would suggest meeting in the afternoon. The temperatures are warmer later in the day and the light is absolutely fantastic closer to sunset.

How to prepare your home for your newborn photoshoot

• That’s an easy one. Your home is perfect because is it YOUR HOME. It is the centre of family life, especially during those first months, this is where all memories are made. So apart from removing a bit of clutter, which you can hide in a spare bedroom, there’s nothing much to do. I will walk around your home and find beautiful light. After all, newborn photography is all about light and love, I promise you that!

• Bare feet and white sheets on your bed is most of the times all we need for perfect family photos.

Can I bring pets to my newborn photoshoot?

Yes! This is the beauty of lifestyle newborn photography, you can enjoy family time and the photographer is there to capture it in all its glory, even when it means having your active dog run around you or your cat sleeping on the sofa. I have pets myself and I know how important they are to telling a family's story.

Why book a natural lifestyle newborn photoshoot?

Just imagine yourself showing these images to your children one day, how much love there was from the beginning. It's a special thing, isn't it?

Real life moments are better than anything staged in a sterile environment. Candid, natural and documentary moments is what you will cherish the most in the years to come. And so will your children!

I have a handful of spots left for May photo shoots and more summer dates, so if you’re interested in booking your newborn photo session, feel free to get in touch.