I’ve been getting a lot of emails about newborn sessions lately. How to prepare, what to buy, and Pinterest boards galore have been gracing my inbox, and prompting me to write this post.

I get it.

You spend 9 long months waiting, planning, and picturing your sweet baby. You’ve gotten maternity pictures, you’ve decorated the nursery, you are READY.

Newborn sessions are amazing. They showcase that wonderfully precious time in the first few days where your baby is sooo amazingly tiny and sleepy. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your session!

• Scheduling- Newborn pictures are generally taken within two weeks of baby’s birth. (One week or less is best if possible!) This is because baby will sleep more (and deeper) in this time. This allows me to move the baby into those adorable curled up poses you’re probably used to seeing. After two weeks, baby will discover how to stretch and squirm and this won’t be as possible!
• Have some super-special props or ideas you want to try? Email me beforehand and we’ll start planning! Don’t be afraid to throw ideas out there or link me to your Pinterest board.
• Make sure your baby is well fed (and burped) before the session. I recommend starting the feeding about 20 minutes prior to our start time. If you’re still feeding when I arrive, I’ll use that time to set up and look through all the outfits/accessories you have!
• Make sure to loosen the diaper and take off baby’s tight socks about 1 hour before the session. This will ensure there are no red marks when we start shooting!
• Newborns tend to have red spots or dry skin patches. This is normal. If you notice any dry patches, try using some baby lotion the days before (and day-of).
• Don’t be afraid to search for props. Special blankets, hats, booties, diaper covers and little props all lend something special and unique to your session. Huge baseball fan? What about using dad’s old baseball glove? Love aviation? What about a tiny hat knitted to look like aviator goggles? Etsy is a wonderful site featuring tons of amazing shops just for newborns! I love Imagination Couture!
• Light is important! Please be sure to open all curtains and blinds in the rooms we’ll be working in. I use natural light in my newborn portraits to make sure I don’t disturb the sleeping baby, so let’s keep it open and airy! I also usually schedule sessions in mid-morning or late afternoon to ensure the best quality of light.
• Turn up the heat—babies tend to get cranky during clothing changes or when down to a diaper (or nothing). This is because they like to stay nice and warm. Crank it up to around 80-85 degrees about 30 minutes prior to the session. We may be hot, but baby will be happy.
• Have other children or noisy pets? Try to keep them out of that part of the house for the session. We want to make sure that your baby stays sleepy and happy and loud noises can be startling. Think about tuning into a lullaby station on Pandora or Spotify or using a sound machine. Soothing background noise is helpful.
• Accidents happen. Really. Plan for it. Keep extra blankets, diapers, wipes, and old towels on hand so we can get everything cleaned and keep shooting!
• Make the bed. What’s cuter than a new family all snuggled up in bed together? If possible, use a solid comforter (or something not too busy) so you guys can remain the focus.
• Don’t stress about the state of your house. You just had a baby. Things are going to be crazy for awhile.
• Be patient. Newborn portraits take time. I block out three hours of time for a reason. A large part of your session will simply be feeding and comforting your baby. Trust me, things are going just fine and we’ll still get the shots.
• RELAX. Don’t worry if your baby isn’t getting to sleep, or is squirmy, or it’s taking awhile. It’s normal. It takes awhile sometimes but we have plenty of time.

Want to learn more about newborn sessions? Want to schedule a shoot?

Email me at jessica@moonbellephotography.com for more info! I’d LOVE to set something up. 🙂