prep guide

Newborn Portrait Session

we can't wait to see you!

Before you come in for your portrait session, please take a minute to fill out this pre-session questionnaire on Google Forms. It helps me be better prepared for your session:


https://forms.gle/6HGFgCp9pFWzCzRq7


session types

Lifestyle & Posed

Lifestyle


Lifestyle portraits are candid images, un-posed, artistically capture things just as they are; real moments frozen in time for you and your family to enjoy over and over. This type of session works perfectly for shots with parents, siblings, and even the family pet interacting with the baby! 


Lifestyle sessions do not require as much time as a posed session and are also ideal for fussy babies who have difficulty falling asleep. A typical lifestyle session lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the baby.


We can do this shoot in our Virginia Beach or Suffolk studio - both have interior home-like nooks perfect for this type of session and you don't have to worry about cleaning up your house! Of course, if you'd rather do this in-home, we are happy to come over!



Posed


Posed sessions take a bit more time and elbow grease than lifestyle, but it's well worth the work! Neutral blankets, wraps, and a few well-chosen props that are important to you surround your little one while we capture your baby slumbering away.


We require a minimum of 2 and up to 4 hours per session to ensure we get the best (and most adorable) results and to allow for baby breaks.


Posed sessions are done in the Virginia Beach studio as it's stocked up with wraps, blankets and some props. We will also photograph for our digital backdrops as well.



before your session

Even if this isn't your first rodeo – every baby is different, so everything is new! Add on the novelty of a photoshoot and there's a high chance the schedule will have to be set aside for the day. If possible, it's great to have them fed right before the shoot (or even at the session itself when you get there), this will increase your chances of sleep!  Also, please try not to schedule shots or any other medical procedures the day before or day of a session so it doesn’t add to the baby’s crankiness and sensitivity.

during your session

The golden rule of newborn photography: babies are the boss!

Again, any semblance of the baby's schedule will be thrown off today. The general weirdness of a photoshoot (random lady stranger! flashing lights!) adds to the unpredictability. We understand this, and as a result, require 2 and up to 4 hours blocked out for posed sessions, and ideally 1 hour for lifestyle sessions. Although we have our bag of tricks to make the process efficient and fun for everyone, it really all comes down to how the baby's feeling. Again, the baby is the boss and I will get as much variety as they will let me. 


We also know that the baby will need breaks for changing, feeding, and soothing, and we definitely will not rush them during any of those. For solo baby posed sessions, we ask that parents wait in another room while we pose and photograph your sleeping newborn. We will call you in immediately if the baby needs something – which they probably will!  Otherwise, leave me with a bottle, paci, and a diaper bag and enjoy the babysitting. 


Of course, parents are welcomed and encouraged to participate in family images. Shots with parents, baby, and siblings are beautiful reminders of the emotion and excitement of this special time in life. We try to do any family images in the beginning of the session so you can relax for the rest of your time there.



tips for success

  • Newborns are best photographed under 2 weeks of age, but I'm always willing to try photographing older newborns.
  • Casual lifestyle portrait sessions are not posed and are ideal for fussy babies & family shots.
  • Posed vs. Lifestyle.  Most of our sessions are a mix of both styles; posed solo newborn and then lifestyle images with the family. We’ll be happy to work with you one on one to create meaningful family imagery!
  • We require a minimum of 2 and up to 4 hours blocked out for posed sessions to account for soothing, changes, and feeding.
  • Have baby fed and changed just before the session OR you can even feed them at the studio while I’m setting up. 
  • Ensure the diaper or any clothing isn’t strapped on too tightly to avoid red marks
  • Clothe baby in something easy to slip on and off (like those wrap-style shirts.). 
  • Bring a plain white onesie to use as a simple backup outfit, just in case the baby hates being wrapped.
  • Feel free to snap a behind-the-scenes cell phone photo, but we do not allow any other digital cameras to be operated while we are there, including setups and breaks. 
  •  If you have any outfits or props you'd like included in the photos, please send me pics! I'd love to see them ahead of time, so I can mentally plan the flow of the session!