What to Expect in a Newborn Photoshoot

You are expecting. Congratulations! Now is the time to start planning your newborn photoshoot! I advise couples to start thinking about scheduling your newborn photoshoot, as early as, in your second trimester. Booking early will ensure that the professional photographer you want to work with has availability. Popular photographers book months ahead! 

Each newborn photographer has their own style. You should look for a photographer that fits your budget, is knowledgeable about newborn safety, provides the products you desire, and whose portfolio fits what you envision. You want to convey to your photographer what is important to you. Now is the time to plan out any themes or colors you like, interest in tiny detail shots, family poses, black and white images, or incorporating sentimental items.

After baby arrives, you should contact your photographer within 24 hours so that you can schedule the session date within the first one to three weeks. Babies are their sleepiest and most flexible when they are first born. As they get older, not only do they start to grow and change, but they are not as sleepy as during these first couple weeks. Keep in mind that while awake babies are super cute, they are harder to pose. 

The day of your newborn session has arrived! Its exciting, but doesn’t need to be stressful. New parents often worry their baby will cry and not sleep. While the new environment and stimuli might keep baby from sleeping deeply, your photographer will have lots of tricks to soothe baby and encourage sleep. It is a good idea to keep baby awake for about an hour before you leave for your session. Baths are a good way to do this. Then baby will sleep well in the car and your photographer can start taking pictures when you arrive. 

Here is a list of things to remember before leaving home:

1. Dress baby in outfit that does not need to go over baby’s head. It will make getting undressed at the studio easier.

2. Bring two pacifiers. Pacifiers help soothe baby during posing and make the session go faster.

3. Don’t forget your supplies like diapers, wipes, a brush for baby’s hair, and SNACKS. Newborn sessions can take a few hours, so don’t forget to bring coffee, water, and food!

Once you arrive at the studio, its time for you to relax! Get comfy because your newborn session will likely take 2-3 hours. This allows time for baby to feed, settle, and sleep; and to achieve cooperation with young siblings. Your photographer will have plenty of options laid out for you ready to go, including adorable props, wraps, outfits, bonnets, and headbands. Don’t miss out on getting in the pictures with baby. Parents are often sleep deprived and worry about not looking their best, but your photographer will use flattering lighting and retouch your images so you look your best! These beautiful photographs from your newborn session will always take you back to this exciting time, even after the memories fade! 

And especially to us moms-how often do we get photos of us WITH our kids? Barely ever for most of us! We won’t regret getting in front of the camera every once in a while no matter what we look like. Because when we look back all we’re going to see is how much our family loves each other and how much fun we had together. ❤️ We will never regret getting in family photos but we might regret not getting in them enough!

Kids also have very different seasons and stages of life that are constantly changing and I think it’s so important to capture as many of them as we can! They grow SO fast and someday you’ll be so happy you captured your babies exactly as they were because you will miss those days so much. Photos (and videos) are the only way we get to preserve those days and they will become so precious over time.

The Halcyon Days Photography specializes in maternity and newborn photography, serving the North Central Florida area including Gainesville, Alachua, High Springs, Lake City, Ocala, Williston, and Jacksonville.