Newborn Session Prep: How to Make the Best of Your Richmond Hill Newborn Photo Shoot

There’s a lot of moving pieces involved for a Richmond Hill Newborn Photo Shoot, but lucky for you I’ve compiled a handy list to refer to during this whirlwind time in your life!

1. Try to keep baby awake 1 hour prior to the session: Why is this important? For baby’s safety it’s imperative that they are asleep. There’s two reasons for that:

• Newborns have a strong startle reflex, called the Moro Reflex. This is so they do not move too far from their caregiver and stay close by. Because of this, they can easily startle in those cute little props and positions I put them in. If they are nice and sleepy they will be content and less likely to startle.

• Newborns pose easier when they are asleep. If baby is throwing their arms out and trying to roll their body around, or, even worse, roll their head, I can’t safely keep them in a pose, which means less options and variety in your gallery.

So what’s the best way to keep a newborn awake 1 hour prior to leaving for their session? I suggest giving them a bath, playing with them, and interacting with them. The more exhausted, the better!

2. Feed baby right before you leave for the session: If your drive is more than 30 minutes, this doesn’t apply, so instead, plan to feed baby right when you arrive instead. If you have to feed baby when you arrive, please come early and feed baby while you're waiting in the car for your session time to start. If baby is fed by the time your session is scheduled to start, we will have much more shooting time than if you arrive at your scheduled time and still have to feed baby.

3. Clothing: Baby will be nice and sleepy from the car ride, so we want to keep it that way! I prefer baby travels only in a diaper (no clothing), and covered with a blanket to protect from the car seat straps. This allows me to quickly get right to work with baby!

4. Feeding During Our Session: Baby is being moved and handled a lot for those cute little poses, so they tend to feed more than usual. I always recommend bringing a fair amount of pumped milk/formula in a bottle for at least 3-4 feedings.

5. Comfort Items: I always recommend bringing the hospital pacifier with you, just plain, not with any stuffies attached as they get in the way during the session. Even if you’re breast feeding, it really helps to have a pacifier available to assist in posing. I use it very minimally as it’s normal for babies to suck for comfort when they’re this young, so it won’t cause issues with nipple confusion. If baby has a favorite blanket and burp cloth, please bring those as well! I also recommend gas drops as upset tummies are very common at this age.

6. Family Photo Outfits:

• For Moms it’s best to plan your outfit first and then coordinate everyone around you. We will use wraps in our studio to coordinate baby with the family. Moms, please wear something comfy! I know you’re sore and exhausted from your birthing journey! 

• For Dads, just keep it simple! No logos or graphic tees - think timeless!

• For Siblings, the same rules apply! No bright colors or logos/graphics, and make sure they’re comfortable in what they’re wearing so when we photograph baby alone with them, they are comfortable and have limited sensory issues.

• Here’s some recommendations on places to places to shop!

  • kids: Zara, Baby Gap, Abercrombie, Bailey's Blossoms, and Janie and Jack.

  • adults + older kids: Anthropologie, Free People, Express, Spool 72, Abercrombie and Fitch, and American Eagle. PinkBlush has great maxi dresses for moms!

All of these tips will help yield a successful session, but just remember who’s in charge: BABY! We can plan everything accordingly and sometimes baby has another plan. That’s why our sessions are baby-led and I communicate throughout the session so we can work together towards success!

Have any questions or want to book a session? Reach out!