There’s been a lot of talk on my Facebook page about newborn sessions, and I realize some of your mommas may have some questions. So I thought, why not write a blog post about it?
Here’s what you need to know about booking a newborn session with Molly Thomas Photography:
1. Newborn sessions can take a lot of time, and that’s okay. I state an hour on my pricing list, but realize I may be at your home for 2-3. Between diaper changes, feedings, singing/rocking/humming baby to sleep in between poses, it can take a lot of time. So no pressure- I’ll stay until I get the shots that we need. Your tiny baby has just been in the world for a few days- we can’t expect them to be on their best behavior this soon!
2. That being said, I recommend feeding them right before the session, and trying to keep them awake as much as possible for a couple hours prior so that they’re nice and sleepy.
3. Newborn sessions are best done within the first 10 days. Ideally, you correspond with me prior to your delivery, and then once you deliver we set a time for after you are discharged from the hospital. Why so young, you might ask? Because 5, 6, 7 day old babies sleep. alot. really soundly. So it’s much easier for me to curl them up, wrap them up, and get them to stay asleep than when they’re older and more awake.
4. I will bring a space heater, and it will get quite warm! Imagine if I asked you to lay on your tile floor with nothing but your bathing suit on- you probably wouldn’t be very happy with me, and you definitely wouldn’t want to sleep! Your baby feels the same way. Moving him/her around in the cold air with only a diaper on will not encourage the deep sleep that we need to get those gorgeous newborn shots. So dress light, because we want your little one to be nice and toasty.
5. It’s scary to hand off your newborn to a total stranger, and I completely understand that. That is why I have done everything possible to prepare myself for a successful and enjoyable session for you and your baby. Part of that preparation for me has been taking an online class in Newborn Photography specializing in safety while posing newborns. There are a lot of pictures that you may see on Pinterest of the baby’s head propped up on his wrist. This is done by taking several images and cropping them together so that the parent’s hands can hold up the baby’s head and arms so as not to place strain on the baby’s neck. There is an art and skill to taking newborn photographs, and I want to be an expert at working with your baby!
6. I encourage you to take this time to relax while I capture these moments with your baby. Sit and respond to emails on your laptop, load the dishwasher, call family. I’ll let you know when I’m ready for pictures with you. A lot of parents feel anxious and impatient during newborn sessions. They can be long and you’re tired, but that’s why you hire a professional to swoop in and take care of the photography! No more blurry iPhone pictures, and you can sit down and spend a few minutes to just taking it all in.
7. The key to a successful photo session, even beyond the baby not crying is LIGHT. So I may get creative in your home. Pulling a couch away from the window, using your master bed, incorporating the baby’s nursery.
I think that’s all! As always, don’t hesitate to contact me with questions.
