The Day of the Session

just a few things to keep in mind...

Tips for a successful session:
Babies do very well in the studio for posing when they are in a very deep sleep. To encourage this I highly recommend stimulating the baby at least two hours before your scheduled arrival (a warm bath usually works nicely.) I also encourage you to feed your baby immediately before leaving your home for the session so that they are fed and comportable during the session. Once you arrive we will start preparing him/her for their session, meaning any and all clothing must be taken off, except for the diaper. Most babies do not like the feeling of being naked and prefer to be warm and completely snuggled. To help them feel more comfortable we will have a small heater in place to keep them warm, but if they are fed and tired they will likely be much more willing to sleep despite being naked.
Feeding Information:
Don’t be surprised if you spend time during your session feeding and comforting your baby. Babies are on their own schedules-but even a little top-off will help prolong their sleep. The studio offers new moms a calm, intimate space to feed their babies, which can make all the difference when you need to nurse your baby until they’re full and ready to sleep! For bottle-fed babies, have a bottle ready and handy so we can feed them mid-pose to keep them calm and relaxed. You can also have a pacifier nearby to help soothe your new addition.Your baby may eat a little more than usual during your session. When babies wake up, their first thought is often, “Oh! I’m awake, so it must be time to eat!” Don’t stress! Newborn photos take lots of patience and time, which is why we schedule extra time for newborn sessions.
Studio Cleanliness:
I wash all used props and blankets after each newborn session with free and clear detergent. As the little ones will be diaper free at times during their session the blankets do become soiled at times, this is completely normal and nothing to be concerned about, leave it all to me!
Noise During Your Session:
Please do whatever you can to keep the noise to a minimum during our session. Maintaining a calm environment is also a big key to a successful newborn shoot. I do have a white noise machine that I will keep close to baby during the session to help soothe him or her. Babies love strong and rhythmic sound.
Studio Temperature:
Since babies are usually photographed naked, the studio will be set at a temperature of 80F to ensure baby is warm and comfortable. If we’re not sweating, it’s probably not warm enough for baby! Parent’s please make sure to wear comfortable loose clothing.
Session Safety:
Safety is my number one priority when handling your baby, so either mom or dad will be my spotter/assistant. All eyes and hands are to be kept around baby during posing. During the session I will be handling and posing baby, but don’t worry I have plenty of experience handling a newborn, I will hold and care for him or her as if they were my own!

As the session can last several hours I highly recommend eating a good hearty breakfast before you arrive. I know this can be a very exciting and stressful time for you, especially when adding sleep deprivation in the mix. As much as my goal is for baby to be comfortable, I also want you to be comfortable and at ease!

The opportunity to photograph these precious moments is very humbling for me. If there is anything I can do to help throughout this process, please let me know. Again thank you for giving me the opportunity to capture these unforgettable memories! 

DON'T DISCIPLINE THE SIBLINGS
Ok, ok, hear me out on this. I'm not telling you how to parent, BUT... for just the time we have together, pretty please don't worry a single bit about your child's behavior. Sometimes kids can sense that they are about to do something out of the norm (I mean, how often does your whole family get dressed up and head out to a field, amiright?), and they may get extra silly or start acting out. I totally understand you want them to be on their best behavior because I would feel the same with my kids! ...but in the spirit of just having a relaxing, fun experience (and getting good photos!), it works the very best if disciplining is paused during the session. More often than not it backfires anyway and the grumpy faces stick around longer. For what it's worth I rarely see this but I just wanted to plant a little seed that you don't have to worry about being "the bad guy" for the time we are together (hooray! Enjoy the vacation!). Trust me, I have 3 kids. If anyone has empathy for you, it's ME.

I have a "bag of tricks" that usually works if a child is having challenges. Also, we have plenty of time to give them the pauses they need. I can stop and walk with them, talk with them, ask them about their favorite stories, shows, or toys. Worst case scenario? They stay grumpy and you will get some pretty entertaining photos. Some of my VERY favorite photos (and prints on my wall!) are of my babies with an extreme scowl. When my little brother was a baby, we had family photos done at a studio (hey there Olan Mills and early 1990's!). He screamed the entire time and my mom cried the whole way home. That photo is our family's favorite EVER. .... do you see a theme here?

Don't worry Mama. We will get some great stuff. 
 

HELP YOUR CHILDREN PREPARE
Hype up the shoot to your kids (And or husband too). If you are really excited about it and express your excitement they will get excited too. Make a whole day or activity out of it if you can. 
Make sure your kids are fed, I know in all the rush this important little detail can be forgotten. Grab them a snack on the way out the door, so that no one gets too hangry during the shoot. Personally, I avoid food or treats during the actual session. What seems like good way to keep kids interested just turns into awkward chewing faces and candy smudged clothes.

DRESS YOUR CHILDREN ONCE YOU ARRIVE
Try not to dress your little one until you get to the location. Kids often get car sick or get into some kind of shenanigan on the way to pictures. Somehow it seems that on the day of your session all the things just go wrong. I know it may seem backwards to show up not ready but dressing them there can avoid a lot of potential issues. Just plan to arrive a bit earlier and have all the kiddo’s clothes pressed and placed carefully into the car. You will want to double (or triple) check and make sure you have everything you need. For important events, I like to pack the car way in advance with their clothes (and food if needed), that way I have time to get myself ready without running around like a chicken without a head.

PLEASE BE ON TIME OR EVEN BETTER, EARLY!
Please plan on arriving ten minutes before our start time, or even earlier if you plan on getting the kids dressed after you get there. It also gives you a little cushion in case you hit a snag. Unexpected things happen on photo day - hair doesn't cooperate, traffic gets crazy, you have to run back because you forgot something (or is all of this just me?). If you give yourself extra time you will be extra relaxed! I will also arrive a few minutes early to set up and can't wait to see you there, once we meet at the location I will touch base with you to review the plan for the session.