Finally, after a long wait, your new bundle of joy is finally here. You have prepped the nursery, read all the baby books, and bought all the onesies. However, as soon as the baby arrives the first thing you learn is that no matter how prepared you are, you can never be truly ready. This is also the case with a newborn photo shoot. As a professional Kansas City newborn photographer, the best piece of advice that I can share before you take your newborn’s photo is that no matter what your expectations are, just remember it may not go your way and that’s alright. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get the beautiful shots that you want of your little one. As a Kansas City newborn photographer and owner of Bundles Photography, I have learned quite a few tips that can make things go more smoothly. Today, I wanted to share with you 5 tips for a successful newborn session. Some of these pointers that will not only lead to a successful newborn photo session, but will leave you with an experience that you will actually enjoy!
Temperature
One of the easiest things you can do to make your baby feel comfortable throughout the session is to turn up the temperature to 80 degrees in your home, approximately 30 minutes before your session. As newborns have a hard time regulating their own temperature, increasing the heat in your house can help ensure that they will sleep more soundly throughout the shoot. Please make sure you wear comfortable clothing, as it may get pretty toasty.
Feeding Time
Another simple trick to incorporate before your photo shoot is to time the feedings. I recommend that you do not feed your baby a full feeding two hours prior to the session until 20 minutes before my scheduled arrival time. Also, make sure to feed baby with no clothing on (except for a loose diaper and a loose blanket). This avoids any unnecessary stimulation that may awaken baby before positioning them for the session.
Family Photos
If you have selected to have family portraits done during your newborn session, I recommend a little tidying up in the part of your home that you wish to have your photos taken in. Some popular areas include the master bedroom bed, the baby nursery, or the living room. You can view some examples of photos HERE.
Keep Them Awake prior to the Shoot
A good tip to use before your session is to keep your baby awake one hour before their photo shoot. A good way to do this is to give them a warm bath just before their feeding prior to their session. The bath helps them use up some energy, and the warm water followed by some milk will help soothe them into a deep and peaceful slumber.
Have Fun
Having fun is the most crucial advice that I can give parents in order to have a successful newborn session. The whole point of this shoot is to have a good time, while capturing photos of your little one. It is such a special time in your life and the whole purpose is to enjoy it. Let go of the anxiety and the stress and know that no matter what chaos may ensue the pictures will still be beautiful, and a cherished keepsake for years to come.
This little fella below slept through pretty much his entire session. Parents warmed their home prior to my arrival and fed him just before I arrived. I had so much fun photographing sweet little Akim. Turquoise green never looked this good! Every little bit of preparation goes a long way! To see more newborn photos by Kansas City Newborn Photographer Bundles Photography, click here: https://bundlesphotography.com/newborn-gallery/
