NEwborn Session FAQ
You have questions and I am here to answer them for you!
How do I know when to schedule the session if I am still pregnant??
This is probably my most common question and it’s a good one! I 100% recommend getting your newborn session scheduled during your 2nd or 3rd trimester. That gives us time to plan, reserves your spot (as I limit the amount of newborns I take each month), and allows me time to get anything we need that I may not already have.
So…you “book” for your current due date. Knowing full well, that will likely NOT be the actual session date. That OK! Once baby does arrive, you reach out to me ASAP and we plan the actual date of the session within the next 7-21 days.
2-3 hours?? Why so long?
I get it. 2-3 hours to dedicate to a photo session does seem like a long time. But my sessions are 100% baby led. That means - baby calls the shots. I don’t force anything. If baby isn’t feeling a pose or needs a break, we follow their lead. The 2-3 hour time frame leave room for baby to be fed and changed as needed to keep them soothed and comfortable during each set up. If time is a major concern, I do offer a Micro Newborn Session that is finished within an hour as the baby will be wrapped and stay wrapped the whole time.
What if my older kids won’t last the 3 hours in the studio?
They absolutely are not expected to!! In fact, part of my newborn session prep guide talks about having a plan for any siblings after their part of the session is done. For a FULL Newborn session, I almost always start with family photos, and then do sibling photos next. After that point, their time is done and they are free to relax or head out of the studio for a break while we finish up with baby’s solo pictures.
I always recommend Dad or even a grandparent/family friend take the kids out of the studio after their portion is done. They can go get lunch, a snack, park trip, etc - and come back when the session is almost done. Expecting them to sit quietly for the next 2 hours is a lot to ask for young kids.
Baby’s solo portion really works best when the studio is quiet and calm. Even small noises can disrupt and make the baby hard to stay settled and posed.
What if I’m just not feeling picture ready a week after giving birth?
Believe me - I TOTALLY get that and it is 100% OK! Plenty of families opt to keep the Newborn Session focused on your sweet little one, knowing they will schedule a separate full family session at a later time.
Sleep deprivation and postpartum hormones sometimes aren’t leaving us looking and feeling our best. DO NOT feel bad about that! That’s why I offer 2 Baby-Only Sessions!
Consider the session a chance for you to sit back, relax, and marvel in the little miracle you created while you watch them be the star of the show! I have a comfortable seating area with a mini fridge stocked with water and soft drinks too!
We can even discuss a future family session to coincide with one of the first big milestone sessions too!
What do I need to bring to the session?
Just yourselves, and that’s pretty much it!
I literally provide just about every single thing we need for the session. All wraps, blankets, props, etc are provided by me.
I do recommend you bring a Paci or two for baby (even if they don’t normally take one) and then a brush if your little angel was born with a lot of hair.
What sort of props are included in the session?
I have a LOT of newborn props, backdrops, wraps, bonnets, etc! And I feel like I’m always updating and adding more. If there are specific colors or things you’ve seen me post, you can add those requests to your booking form. I have bowls, crates, beds, and vessels galore!
I try to pull a variety of items that I know flow well together. All of my sessions are very baby led - some littles ONLY want to be wrapped - and some prefer being on their tummy. I always start each session with a written plan and have plenty of options to change course if need be.
How does the Simple Session Differ from the Micro Session?
The Simple Newborn Session is my standard baby-only session. It lasts about 2 hours (depending on baby’s needs) and includes the most variety. It includes a variety of backdrops, wraps, props in the colors of your choice. It will include wrapped poses as well as naked table poses (like the one on the cover of this page).
The Micro Newborn Session is a brand new offering! It is a shorter and more budget friendly option to still get you those gorgeous, professional newborn photos! You will choose ONE color for me to plan the session around. When you arrive, baby will go into a full wrap and stay wrapped for the 1 hour session as I move them through 2-3 different set ups. Because this is a shorter session, no naked table poses are included (as those are usually more time consuming).
If you are currently expecting, it really is never too early to get on my newborn schedule!!
As always - if you have any additional questions about booking your Newborn Session, I am one email away - I am happy to answer them all!