Preparing for your Newborn Session | SMB Photography

Bringing a beautiful new baby home is an amazing experience; it’s also a very stressful one. Getting used to all these new things, and schedules and lack of sleep is certainly a lot to deal with. I want to make everything about your newborn session as easy and stress-free as possible. So, I thought I would put together a quick list of things you can do to prepare for your newborn session.

The best time to photograph newborns is within the first 14 days, babies are still sleepy and still comfortable in womb-like poses. However, I would never turn away a newborn because they don't fall into the optimal time-frame. If you've got a bit older newborn, don't hesitate to contact me about a session. Typically, the best time to schedule your newborn session is while your pregnant, then once baby arrives, let me know and we'll get a definite time/day scheduled.

I photograph all newborn sessions in the comfort of your home. This takes the stress out of having to prepare and pack and get everyone in the car and to a session. I know how difficult it is to get a new baby and everyone else anywhere on time. When my son was a newborn, we were late everywhere. It takes some getting used to, to really know how much time you need to get out the door. I always come to you, so there’s one less thing to worry about.

The most important thing, in order for our session to go smoothly, is of course a happy baby.  Whichever room we are going to be photographing baby in, needs to be quite warm; since some of our session baby will be naked, we want them as comfortable as possible. I recommend setting the heat to 80 degrees, or if you have a space heater simply place it in the room we will be working in an hour or so before my arrival. I do bring a space heater with me, but if the room is already warm it makes getting started much faster.

Oklahoma City Newborn Photographer | SMB Photography

Babies are much happier and sleepy with a full belly, so feeding him or her 15-30 minutes before my arrival is optimal. There’s no rush for our session, and there will be plenty of time for additional feedings. Newborn sessions take anywhere from 2-4 hours, it really depends on baby. Try to keep him or her awake for 1-2 hours before my arrival; between the full belly and being awake for so long, we have a much better chance that baby will drift off to dreamland. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s best to avoid spicy foods and acidic drinks for 24-48 hours before our session. Sometimes these things can give baby an upset tummy, and we want baby as happy as possible.

Oklahoma City Newborn Photographer | SMB Photography

An hour or so before our session loosen babies clothing and diapers, this will keep us from having lines and creases on their beautiful skin; footy pajamas and button up one-piece body suits are best, and we won’t have to pull them over babies head.

Prior to our session, take a look around your home, to see which room gets the best light at the time of day our session will take place. I shoot natural-light exclusively, so this is very important to a great session.  Also, please let me know what your color preferences are for baby, not everyone wants blue for boys and pink for girls. During the summer months, if we have time, I’m also happy to incorporate some outdoor shots of baby in your garden or backyard.

I happily provide all the props and wraps for our newborn session. With newborns, I like to keep things simple and clean and let your beautiful new baby be the center of attention.  If you have any thing that you would like to incorporate into the session, or any idea’s that would mean a lot to you, please let me know, I’m always open to new ideas.

Contact Me to schedule your newborn session.

Sara Masters-Blacksten is an Oklahoma City based newborn photographer, specializing in on-location newborn portraits across the Greater Oklahoma City Metro. Travel rates are available for client's outside the Oklahoma City Metro. To book your newborn session or for more information please e-mail sara@smbphotographyokc.com