Newborns grow and change so quickly. Their cute tiny features and baby smiles will not last very long. This is where newborn photography comes in handy.

By capturing your baby’s first days in pictures, you get to preserve these precious moments and look back on them with fondness and nostalgia for the years to come.

But having a newborn photoshoot can be stressful, just like raising a baby. To get all those beautiful shots, it’s important to keep your baby happy, relaxed, and comfortable throughout the entire photoshoot. To do so will take some preparation beforehand.

Here’s a guide on how to prepare for a newborn photoshoot:

Plan Everything Ahead

For the newborn photoshoot to run smoothly, it’s best to plan everything ahead. Consider the right time for a newborn photoshoot. Contact a newborn photographer as soon as possible. Think about the concepts and themes you want for the photoshoot. Discuss specific shots orposes you want with the photographer.

Photoshoots with newborns are difficult, and issues may arise during the session. But planning everything ahead will help make the newborn photoshoot run as smoothly as possible.

Choose the Right Clothes for Your Baby

In every photoshoot, clothing is very important. For a newborn, you would want to pick clothes that are not just visually appealing, but also comfortable for your baby. Choose loose-fitting clothing and not tight clothes to avoid marks or imprints on their skin. Leave your baby’s diaper a bit loose as well.

It’s also advisable to choose neutral colors or simple outfits rather than clothing with heavy patterns or bold colors. Neutral colors can highlight your baby’s natural beauty and keep them as the main focus in the photos. Heavy patterns can be distracting.

Additionally, anything can happen during a newborn photoshoot, so it’s best to bring extra clothes for your baby.

Keep Your Baby Awake Hours Before the Session

Getting the best newborn poses, like when your baby is curled up in baskets or blankets, requires your baby to be in a deep sleep. When babies are asleep, those cute poses are easier to achieve because they are in a relaxed state. Your babies will also look peaceful in the photos.

But it is a known fact that babies are unpredictable. While babies often sleep a lot, there is the possibility that they might be awake during the planned photoshoot.

So, to make sure they are asleep during the session, keep your baby awake hours before. You can do so by interacting with them in different ways. You can play with them, sing, or take them for a stroll outside.

In case you want your baby awake in the photos, instead of having sleeping poses, it is best to inform your newborn photographer ahead. But keep in mind that sleepy babies will make the newborn photoshoot less stressful than awake babies. And as previously mentioned, sleepy babies will lead to peaceful pictures.

Feed Your Baby Before the Session

When preparing for your newborn’s photoshoot, it is advisable to give your baby a full feeding before the session. A full tummy will keep your baby relaxed and content during the session.

On the contrary, if your baby is hungry, then your baby will not be happy. And you don’t want an angry baby during the session. A full tummy also often leads to a sleepy baby, which is ideal for adorable sleeping poses.

Give Your Baby a Bath Before the Session

A baby is usually very calm and relaxed after a bath, so it’s best to give your baby a warm bath before the photoshoot. This will not only make your baby calm and relaxed during the session, but your baby will also be clean and have fluffy hair. This will be perfect for close-up shots.

Additionally, a bath will also help your baby awake hours before the session.

Prepare All Essentials for Your Baby

As mentioned earlier, babies are unpredictable, and anything can happen. Something might upset your baby during the session, which will lead to crying. Be prepared for accidents or unexpected messes.

Be sure to bring everything your baby needs, such as extra diapers, bottles of milk, a pacifier, or their favorite toy. Bring extra clothes, extra blankets, and wipes.

In order not to forget anything, especially when the photoshoot will be held at a studio, make a checklist of everything that you need to bring for your baby.

Prepare All the Baby Props

Props are there to help add life to your photos. Blankets, baskets, and small toys will certainly make the photos more appealing, and more especially so when they complement your selected theme.

You may also have meaningful props, or significant items that have been handed down from different generations, such as your mother’s teddy bear. Don’t forget to include all these props when packing for the newborn photoshoot.

But just remember, you want to keep your baby as the focal point in these images, so having less is more. Don’t pack too many props. Also, make sure that the props are clean and safe for your baby.

Get Some Rest

When preparing for your newborn’s photoshoot, consider your own needs as well. Bring extra clothes and food for yourself.

But most importantly, remember that you will be catering to your baby’s needs throughout the entire photoshoot, and this will require a lot of strength on your part.

So, after putting your baby to sleep at night, get some rest as well. Get proper sleep the night before the photoshoot so that you can have all the strength you need the next day.

Preparing for a Newborn Photoshoot: Hiring a Newborn Photographer

Babies are cute, but they can be difficult to deal with at times. Having a successful photoshoot for your newborn will definitely require some preparation. Having the best shots and a smooth newborn photography session will require a skilled newborn photographer.

Got any more questions on how to prepare for a newborn photoshoot? Looking for a newborn photographer you can trust?Contact us and book your shot today!