I looovvvveee photographing newborns!

As a newborn photographer, I have learned what works during sessions, and what doesn't. Using everything I've learned through experience, newborn photography and safety education workshops, and also my experience as a mom, I have compiled a list of tips and tricks to ensure your newborn session goes as smoothly as possible.

Let's get started! 

• FIRST, LETS PENCIL YOU IN - Due to high demand and the limited number of newborns I take per month, it is highly recommend that you book your newborn session as early in your pregnancy as possible. 

• WHEN TO PHOTOGRAPH: Newborn sessions are recommended to be done before 3 weeks of age  (7-14 days) while they are still in that sleepy and curly stage.  After two weeks of age, they tend to be disturbed more easily while sleeping and it is not as easy to get the true newborn poses and look.  They can also become colicky and baby acne can start to flare. This is a very big reason why we recommend booking while you are still pregnant. You will have priority booking and we will ensure you are able to get in during that 7-14 day sweet spot.

• LOCATION - Where your newborn session takes place is entirely up to you. I offer both in-home and studio newborn sessions, as well as Fresh 48 sessions that take place in your hospital or birthing center. If you decide to go with a studio session, the studio is located in the Ohio City area of Cleveland, Ohio. Don't worry, we have private off-street parking :) No need to worry about having to find a parking garage or street parking. Our location is very ideal for being able to serve both East side and West side clients.

• FEEDING - If nursing, try to avoid eating spicy foods or anything that will cause gas and might upset baby’s tummy for 24 hours before your scheduled session. A gassy baby will not pose well during the session due to their little tummy being upset.

  *Some other foods that may cause gas are dairy products- milk, cheese, yogurt, pudding, cream, or any food that has milk, milk products, casein, whey, or sodium casein it, as well as foods with caffeine, soy, fish, peanuts, chocolate, wheat, beef, nuts, eggs, corn, or citrus fruits (Courtesy Babycenter & ModernMom parenting). 

  Please make sure your little one has a full belly for the session. Before you leave your house to head to the studio (or before I arrive to your house for an in-home session), please feed your baby! Even if it's a little bit of an "off schedule" feed, I highly recommend topping off baby to ensure they are truly full and happy. If baby is bottle feeding, please bring extra bottles and milk to the studio (formula or breastmilk) –  babies work up quite the appetite being constantly moved around in the warm enviornment. We will often stop between poses to let baby nurse or have some of their bottle. 

• STUDIO TEMPERATURE - Since babies are photographed wearing minimal clothing and also naked, the studio will be set at a temperature of 80F for newborn sessions to ensure baby is warm and comfortable. If we’re not sweating, it’s probably not warm enough for baby! Parents: please make sure to wear comfortable loose clothing. I always have water bottles available :)

• SOOTHING - To soothe newborns, I use the 5 S's technique. If you aren't familiar, the 5 S's consist of sound, sucking, side-laying, swaddling, and swaying. For sound, I use white noise or the shusher app. For sucking, if the baby is rooting, I will always first suggest nursing or bottle feeding. However, if baby is fully fed and still seems upset, I highly suggest the use of a pacifier. 

• PARENT PORTRAITS - I encourage parent and full family portraits with the new baby, and these are usually done at the very end. A white/cream short sleeve shirt is suggested for dads and a white/cream tank or blouse top is suggested for moms. For moms, I also have a client wardrobe that you are more than welcome to borrow from. For more artistic shots, dads may choose to remove their shirts and moms may choose to be wrapped in a scarf, wrap, or other stretchy material available in my studio. These can make for some very tender images.

  **A note to Mom: I know that you may not feel like yourself right after giving birth, but I strongly encourage you to have a portrait taken with your new baby while they are still so young and fresh. He will grow up and will want to know what his mother looked like holding him close to her heart as a newborn. I will shoot you in flattering angles, so don’t worry! When your baby grows up, he will be so glad that you had this moment documented.

• SIBLING PORTRAITS - If you have older siblings that you would like photographed with your newborn, we will do these shots FIRST. Cream, ivory, or white (without patterns or logos) is recommended for older siblings. The more texture the better (knit, lace, etc). They’ll be barefoot, so no need to look for clean shoes. *Due to the nature of the session we ask that your spouse/partner take the older siblings home or out for something fun to do while we finish up with the individual newborn shots.