Preparing For Your Newborn Session

Preparing for your Newborn Session – Pembroke Pines Newborn Photographer

We LOVE photographing newborns! One of the advantages of booking with Genny Lynn Photography for your newborn photography session is that we create an experience that is seamless, fun and completely stress free. One of the first things we do to alleviate any of your concerns is to invite you to meet with us for a pre-session design consultation. At this consultation, we will go over everything you need to know to ensure you are well prepared for your newborn photography session.

We’re honored to be a part of documenting this special time for your family. Knowing when to plan and and how to prepare for your session can reduce the stress and make the session more successful. We’ve listed some helpful tips and advice for you that will help us get the very best images out of your upcoming newborn session.

newborn boy with teddy bear hat posed photoshoot in fort lauderdale, fl

SCHEDULING

It’s never too early to book with us. We recommend that you schedule your newborn session PRIOR to your baby’s arrival to ensure a date on our calendar. We book a limited number of newborns a month so that we can give the best attention and experience possible to our clients. This also allows us to make changes in our schedule to accommodate early or late arrivals. We’ll pencil you in about 10 days past your due date and adjust if necessary. Adding us to your “baby is here” call list always makes us feel special!

14 DAYS…is that a rule?

Newborn sessions are best done before baby is 14 days. There are several reasons for this.

  1. Newborns must be asleep for their session. They simply will not settle into those sweet, curly poses when they are awake. And…it just isn’t safe. After 14 days, it’s very challenging to get your baby into that deep sleep that was so easy their first week.
  2. They stay asleep longer and their reflexes are not as strong. Your baby’s safety is priority. An assistant is always present to help with posing and safety. However, if your baby is older than 2 weeks, they may wake easily, startle and start to do more stretching and this can make the sessions longer and more challenging to get those beautiful images.
  3. Newborn acne and sometimes colic can flare up after the 2-week mark. Colic and gas can make your baby very uncomfortable and hard for them to settle into certain poses.

SLEEPING

Our goal is for you to arrive with a very sleepy baby. This is VERY important! We recommend that you keep your baby awake a minimum of 2 hours prior to the session. We know this is hard, so all we ask is that you try your best. Some tricks to keep your baby awake are giving the baby a bath, undressing baby, tickling or lightly wetting baby’s feet. We will get amazing images if your baby sleeps through the session.

FEEDING

A well fed baby is happy and content. You will be feeding your baby a full feeding when you arrive at the studio, so please schedule your baby’s day accordingly. If possible, please have a bottle of formula or breast milk ready for the session, along with a pacifier, should we need them. We will take feeding breaks as needed, but having a bottle ready can help us keep the session flowing smoothly. If you’re not comfortable with the use of a pacifier, please let me know. We are absolutely on board with whatever you choose!

baby photographed on cream with bonnet in cooper city, fl

WHAT TO WEAR

Dress your baby in loose fitting clothes to avoid any lines on their skin. A onesie or sleeper that opens in the front is best as this avoids having to lift anything tight over baby’s head. The studio will be warm for baby to be comfortable. Dad and Mom will have time to change, if they desire, toward the end of the session for their family poses. We use a cream or neutral color backdrop. So solid color clothing that is earth-toned, neutrals, and soft pastels will look great. We will discuss wardrobe ideas at the consultation. We also offer hair and makeup services to our clients. Having your hair and makeup done during your newborn’s session is a perfect opportunity to be pampered.

HOW LONG IS THE SESSION?

Newborn sessions are not rushed and usually take three hours. This allows for feeding, diaper changing, soothing, etc. If siblings are involved, sessions usually take four hours. We tell our families to come and relax. We have plenty of toys for toddlers and older siblings to play with while we are photographing your newborn. This is a great time to catch up on sleep, surf the net, read a magazine, or just relax. Just know that patience is key. Sometimes baby is fussy or will have a difficult time getting settled, and that’s ok. We will swaddle and soothe baby until they are settled and get them asleep before posing.

POOP HAPPENS

Your baby will be photographed without a diaper for part of the session. We are used to being soiled by babies. We wash all of our baby props and blankets between sessions. So everything is clean for your baby.

PROPS

We provide everything needed for your newborn’s session: outfits, wraps, accessories, headbands, hats, backdrops, and props. If you have an heirloom item you’d like to incorporate, please let us know during the consultation when we are planning your session. Your images will become pieces of art that you will be happy to display in your home for years to come.

We hope you have found the above tips helpful and hope that you understand all that goes into working with our littlest clients. We take pride in the experience we provide our clients. Our goal is for you know what to expect and to feel as prepared as you can be for your newborn’s photography session.

To schedule your newborn’s session, contact us today! We can’t wait to learn more about your family and help you document these once-in-a-lifetime memories. (954) 489-8539 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)