Hi there!
I’m so excited to meet you and your new baby soon for your at-home photography session. To ensure we have a smooth and successful time together, I’ve put together this guide to help you prepare. Following these tips will help your baby feel comfortable and allow us to capture beautiful, timeless images.
Before I Arrive: Preparing Your Home & Baby
- Warm It Up: Newborns are most comfortable and sleepy in a very warm environment. Please turn up your home’s heat about 2-3 hours before my arrival so the room we’ll be using reaches 80-85°F. This cozy temperature is essential for your baby’s comfort, especially during unclothed poses. Don’t worry – I’ll guide you on the exact temperature as we go. You may want to dress in light, comfortable layers for your own comfort.
- Awake Time: If possible, gently try to keep baby awake for 60-90 minutes before the session. A bath is a perfect way to do this! It’s soothing and helps remove flaky skin. Applying lotion after the bath is also helpful.
- The Big Feed: Please feed baby as you normally would in the morning. I will plan the session around a full feeding. Once I arrive and set up, I’ll ask when baby last ate. We’ll aim for a big “top-off” feed right before we start shooting to ensure baby has a full belly and drifts into a deep, peaceful sleep.
- For nursing parents: Try to nurse fully from one side. If baby gets sleepy, a cool washcloth can gently encourage them to wake and nurse from the other side for a truly full tummy.
- For bottle-feeding parents: We’ll follow the same principle to ensure baby is completely satisfied.
- Please note: We will take as many feeding and comforting breaks as needed throughout our time together. Our schedule is entirely baby-led.
- Dress for Easy Access: To avoid disturbing a sleepy baby, please dress them in a simple zip-up or button-up sleeper with no onesie underneath on the day of the session.
What to Wear for Family Photos
For the parent and sibling poses, simplicity is key. Classic, solid colors ensure the focus remains on the emotion and connection with your new baby.
- For Baby (in parent-hand shots): A simple onesie or sleeper works perfectly.
- For Parents: Choose comfortable, solid-colored tops. Neutral tones (white, cream, grey, soft pastels) photograph beautifully.
- Moms: A nice blouse, tank top, or simple knit top works wonderfully. Bare arms can create a very tender, classic look when cradling your newborn.
- Dads: A solid-colored polo, henley, or a simple t-shirt or button-down is ideal.
- Pro Tip: Please avoid busy patterns, logos, or large graphics. Also, take a moment to iron or steam your chosen outfits, as wrinkles are not able to be removed in editing.
What to Expect During Our Session
I will arrive at your home between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and will take about 45 minutes to unload and set up my mobile studio. I bring everything with me: professional lighting, props, a variety of hats, headbands, wraps, blankets, and backdrops. Your session is fully customized based on our previous discussions and your color preferences.
My top priority is your baby’s safety and comfort. I sanitize my hands frequently and handle your little one with the utmost care. Once we begin, you are welcome to sit back, relax, and enjoy watching – or even take a well-deserved nap!
Final Notes
I hope this guide helps you feel prepared and confident for our session. My goal is to make this a relaxed and enjoyable experience for your entire family. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for trusting me with these precious first memories. I can’t wait to meet you all soon!
Warmly,
Chandra
To see more of my newborn work, please visit the Newborn Gallery at: https://chandraleephotography.com/pp_gallery/newborn-gallery/
