Newborn Portrait Session Information & Prep

Once you contact me about booking a newborn session, I will let you know that I like to capture the baby within the first few days to first few weeks of life, I usually prefer to have you bring Baby to me when Baby is around 7-10 days old, but anytime within the first 2-3 weeks works fine. My preference is due to their sleepiness, newness, and flexibility. As they get older they are more alert, awake for longer spurts and restless, they are also not as flexible and less able to curl up into those cute "newborn" poses. My 2-3 Week Guideline is by no means a “rule”, so if we need to photograph your baby at a little older age, or if there happens to be an extended hospital stay, etc. there is no problem photographing your baby then, we just may have to adjust parts/poses during the session to accommodate. But I will NEVER turn a baby away for being “too old”.

Parents need to understand that I will be scheduling the session very shortly after coming home from the Hospital. This session is also longer than my other portrait sessions, sometimes a lot longer. Newborns need a lot of feedings, changings, and comforting to get them to settle. In addition, props/backdrops take time to take down and setup.

My newborn sessions usually take a couple hours (average 1-2 hours, sometimes 2-3+ hours (we always go by the baby's lead) keeping baby calm and asleep for the majority of the time is one of my main goals (SAFETY BEING #1). I am a perfectionist and will not rush or end a session if I feel I don’t have enough shots to absolutely thrill you. Please feel free to bring a drink/snack, book, or take a nap (seriously). **Be sure to let Daddy know it may take a while!

Newborn sessions are only scheduled weekdays (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and are scheduled to start at 9am to allow for plenty of time, should your Baby need it. Please let me know prior to booking if you have any scheduling concerns or issues. Knowing this in advance, prior to booking, will help with planning and scheduling your session if at all possible. I also suggest not scheduling anything else the day of your session (atleast until after lunchtime), just because Newborn Sessions can be very unpredictable.

Communicating is key, so here is a prep list to read over prior to booking. Once you have officially booked, I will send over a more detailed Newborn Session Prep Packet via email!

Newborn Sessions are scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays and start at 9am. All Newborn Sessions take place in my dedicated, private Home-Studio, located right outside of Nashville, NC, near Hwy 64/Hwy 58.

In my Studio, I can control all the important aspects of the session that are crucial to quality Newborn Photography, such as temperature, lighting and soft soothing sounds. I have all the props and other items I need to produce the Newborn Portraiture you are used to seeing in my work, all at arms reach within my space. I always strive to promote a relaxing environment for parents, and a safe, healthy and soothing atmosphere for baby. I have everything I need to photograph your baby, all you have to do is show up the day of your session. I always want my clients to feel at home when they are in my Studio. I try to anticipate my client’s needs ahead of time so that you can sit back and relax the entire time you are here and let me take care of the little one, you deserve a break.

The Studio has :

If you are wanting to take Parent, Family and/or Sibling Photos with your Baby- PLEASE DISCUSS WITH ME IN ADVANCE ! The Parent, Family, Sibling portion of the session will take place at the very beginning of the Newborn Session, and usually takes approximately 20-30 Minutes (or so). I will have everything ready and setup when you arrive so we can get started right away. Once we finish, Daddy (or a family member/friend) can leave with the other sibling(s), which helps keep the studio calm and quiet for the remainder of the session for the Baby Only Portraits. Again, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IN ADVANCE SO WE CAN DISCUSS DETAILS AND SO I CAN BE SETUP FOR THESE PHOTOS WHEN YOU ARRIVE.

The Newborn Session will take place, ideally, with your newborn asleep for the majority of the time. I like to begin directly after a feeding or as close to a feeding as possible– we aim for baby to be asleep for the actual portrait session, that way they aren't flailing their arms and legs causing blurry photos, and as newborns they cannot focus their eyes yet, so they cannot maintain eye-contact (which will cause them to look cross-eyed even though they aren't, trust me on this one). If your Little One is fighting sleep, I will wrap (swaddle) them to get them to feel snug and secure and go from there, usually wrapping them helps them to drift off to sleep, but occasionally I will have a "sleep fighter" and in those sessions, I will photograph Baby in a variety of wraps/swaddles.

Depending on how long of a drive it is from your home to my Home-Studio, I suggest feeding your Baby either right before you leave (if your drive is 15-20 minutes or less) or if your drive is a little longer, feeding Baby here at my Home-Studio once you arrive so we start the session on a full tummy, but by no means do I want you to skip a feeding or push it back too far. Generally babies sleep best after a feeding so ideally feeding the baby directly before the session starts, tends to work out best in my experience. I know that sometimes we can't always work by a "schedule" and I NEVER want you to "starve" your baby just for a portrait session, so if you need to feed baby before coming, that is perfectly ok. A fed baby is a happy baby!

The morning of your session, dress your Baby in something easy to get off, like a snap-up or zip-up sleeper or jumper (nothing that needs to be pulled over the head) that way when you arrive, I don’t wake or irritate your Baby pulling a onesie over their head. Also, please remove any hats and socks/mittens prior to arriving, to prevent indentations, marks, and redness on baby’s skin.

I will have the Studio warmed up with a heater so that the room is nice and warm (approximately 75-85 degrees, depending on the time of year), this will help baby be more comfortable and sleep more soundly, and to mimic their experience from the womb where they are used to 98.6 degrees. Babies cannot regulate their body temperature so keeping them comfortable is key for the session. I definitely recommend that Parents dress accordingly (dressing in layers) to help remain comfortable no matter how long the session takes. (I always break a sweat photographing babies, it's just how it is)

I will use white noise/heartbeat machines & lullabies/soft music to drown out background noises to help keep baby calm and asleep, and a Baby Shusher if Baby is having a hard time settling. Keeping the baby asleep and comfortable is a priority to get the best possible photos. (SAFETY BEING #1) Please keep this in mind when bringing cellphones, tablets, toys, and other items that may wake the baby.

I try to create the most soothing atmosphere in my Studio to help Parents relax and help keep the baby asleep. I STRONGLY request no more than 2 adults come to the session (Example: both Parents, or a Parent with a Friend/Family Member, etc) and ONLY bring siblings/small children if doing Sibling or Family Portraits (these Portraits will take place at the very beginning of the session so that Dad (or another Family Member/Friend) can leave with the other siblings/small children once their part is complete, little ones have a hard time sitting still and quiet for hours, which is why I request they leave once their portion is complete. Then me and Mommy can continue with the newborn-only portion of the session.

If you would like to be in any images with your baby, make sure to look nice (hair, makeup, clothing, clean/tidy nails) and wear colors that compliment your home settings (these photos will be hung on your walls, so wearing colors that compliment your home's settings is usually recommended). I suggest parents wear solid colors or simple designs that aren’t too bulky (and that are free of big, busy designs or logos). Other Siblings should wear something simple and well fitting so that your new baby isn’t lost in the pictures if doing Sibling Portraits. PLEASE consider taking family photos with your newborn, they are only this little for such a short period of time, and you don't want to look back, years from now, and wish you had done it. Don't worry about the extra few pounds you haven't lost yet from giving birth, or the fact you havent slept since your baby was born, think about how much you love your baby and think of how important these photos will be to you and your child(ren) one day. This is the only opportunity for the First Family Portrait with your Newborn. Besides, I can always crop near the waist-line!! **I am also a fan of showing a little skin. I like to use wraps on Moms and big sisters (or you can wear a tank top) and going shirtless for Dads and big brothers. I just think these type images are absolutely beautiful, so if you are up for it, let me know prior to the session and I will incorporate these portraits into your session.

I will be shooting some of your session with your Newborn naked/semi-naked, this is my style and allows you to see all your baby's delicate and precious features like back wrinkles, rolls, fingers and toes, and hair. Once you arrive, I will undress your baby down to only a loosely hooked diaper, this will help with removing the diaper when I am ready to start without startling the baby once he/she falls asleep, and to prevent indentations on the baby's soft skin. Hats, Socks and Mittens should also be removed, prior to arriving, to prevent indentations on the skin. *Some parents warn me that their baby hates to be naked and are worried about how they're baby will react to being naked during the session. Please keep in mind that most babies do not like to be naked because they don't like to be COLD. Newborns are usually dressed in layers (diaper, onesie, pants, etc), then wrapped up in a blanket or being held, therefore they are used to being very warm. So, when they have all their blankets and clothes removed, the room is very cold to them (dramitically colder than their "snuggle mode" they were just in, OR especially when touched with a cold wipe) this is why I keep it so warm in my studio (and even have a wipe warmer to keep from startling the baby), so that they feel wrapped and warm the entire time., so please do not worry! (they have been naked for 9 months while inside the womb, and have only been wearing clothes for a couple days, trust me, they don't mind being naked, they don't like being COLD!). I always have backup plans for wraps (swaddles) if they are really having a hard time settling while being naked/semi-naked.

Once you are ready to book, you will receive an email with a link for you to complete and submit a Newborn Portrait Agreement (along with an invoice to pay the Non-Refundable Retainer). The Newborn Portrait Agreement serves as our Portrait Session Contract as well as the Session Planning & Details Sheet. Your Newborn Portrait Agreement really helps me to get an idea of the types of portraits, colors and poses you prefer, as well as things you dislike as well, so that we are all on the same page. Please be sure to fill it out entirely and with as much information as possible, to set us for a successful session from the start. Be sure to list your specific preferences (preferred colors, posing preferences, requested props/setups, as well as specific likes and dislikes, etc.) when filling out your Newborn Portrait Agreement. I will use this when I am setting up the studio and preparing for your session, so filling it out completely and with as much detail as possible is key. If there is a specific color or prop, etc you are hoping to use, or something you have seen in my previous work that you would like for me to try to incorporate into your session, please communicate this with me prior to your session, when filling out your Newborn Portrait Agreement. Some of my props/items are kept in storage and some items may have been brought in by a previous client for their session, by communicating this prior to your session, it will help me to plan for your session, and if any of these items are not available, we can come up with an alternative before the session date.

Most all of the hats, headbands, wraps and props you see in my work belong to me and are in my home-studio/storage. If you have an item that you would like to bring for me to try to incorporate into the session, please let me know in advance so I try try to find a way to incorporate it into my workflow [ for example: blanket/quilt, sentimental family heirloom, etc. ]. Once you arrive, I will look at the item to ensure it is safe to use, and try to find a way to incorporate it into the session. Please understand that while I do try to use any item you bring, I cannot guarantee that whatever item you brought can/will be used, its always up to the baby to cooperate (and the safety of the baby with the item) and the design and flow of the setup (coordinating background and props, etc). If there is anything special you plan to bring, or if you have seen something you like in my work (prior to arriving) that you are interested in, please mention those items to me when filling out your Newborn Portrait Agreement. I plan and layout the session prior to your arrival (so the session can move smoothly from shot to shot, setup to setup) based on our communications and what you have listed on your Newborn Portrait Agreement so it is extremely important to let me know in advance, so I can be sure to have everything accessible (not all of my props are stored in my studio, so this way I know to get those items from storage prior to your session. )

Keep in mind, the preferences section of the Newborn Portrait Agreement is a planning tool only! Not all color/theme preferences may be available/used, the use of all props/setups are contingent on Baby’s cooperation and the prop/setup being completely healthy and safe for Baby (depending on the prop/setup being used, I will have Mom/Dad help ensure Baby’s safety by sitting close to Baby and keeping hands on Baby at all times, Parent’s hands will be removed/edited out during the editing process). Every baby’s posing ability/flexibility is different, some baby’s are not comfortable in certain poses, some baby’s do not have the flexibility to achieve certain poses or are not able to be posed in certain poses entirely (Ex. being breech in the womb for a long period of time can effect baby’s hip range of motion, etc) therefore no pose can be “guaranteed”. I pose Babies by following their lead and paying attention to cues in order to safely and beautifully pose your newborn in a way that they are most comfortable and safe.

Be prepared for explosions of all kinds. Pee, poop, and spit up will go flying or spraying on anything & everything around. (I get peed/pooped on A LOT! so does my floor) I always have burp cloths, wipes and clean up items out and ready! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not let this bother you. All of my props are washable, and get washed after every session anyways, so please keep in mind this is just part of the naked baby process. **While I try VERY HARD to keep Mommy clean, I do suggest you bring an extra shirt JUST IN CASE!

My motto... BE OVERLY PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING! This also goes for a change of clothes/shirt for Mommy... while I do try very hard to keep you clean, occassionally, it does happen. So better safe than sorry.

On picture day we do things a little different than a normal day... extra feedings, pacifiers, extra cuddles, etc... please go with the flow to keep baby happy & asleep. This is just ONE DAY in a lifetime, we have one day to get these precious moments documented, so just think "BIG PICTURE". We want to ensure we get the best possible images, please try to embrace the “Go with the Flow” method and don’t stress. As mentioned above, I go by your Baby’s lead during the session, sometimes that means an extra feeding (or a little top-off) to get Baby into a deeper sleep, using a pacifier to get them to settle, giving extra time and snuggles if Baby is upset, etc. PLEASE remember this is just one day, and in the grand scheme of things an extra feeding or using a pacifier (of course with your permission) won’t effect them in any long term way, or cause any future feeding/latching problems

Please come prepared with EXTRA bottles of breast milk/formula for comforting and a pacifier. Being prepared is KEY! I have almost everything we need on hand- diapers, wipes, burp clothes, new pacifiers, etc, but formula/milk is something I do not keep in my studio, so please be sure to pack EXTRA formula/ pumped milk. Having extra formula or pre-pumped milk (if possible) to help with those quick feedings will help the session go more smoothly. If you are breast-feeding, but have not started pumping yet, please do not stress over this step, you can nurse here (I have a Boppy Pillow you can use, along with other items for nursing) but having a little pumped milk on hand is really useful, if at all possible. I will usually feed baby a little early if they get fussy through out the shoot to help calm them down and keep them asleep, so be prepared for extra feedings/soothing. I will do whatever it takes to get amazing portraits for you, even if that means an extra feeding, or using a pacifier (if you choose not to use one regularly thats fine, but using one during the session can really help).

I always encourage Mommy to sit back and relax and let me handle the little one. Even take a nap while your baby is having his/her pictures taken. (Mommy's (and Daddy's) need to take advantage, and rest whenever, wherever possible). Babies can read and feel emotions, especially stress, if you are relaxed, your baby will be more relaxed, resulting in better portraits. Please try not to stress during the session, even if your baby is screaming and an hour in we havent taken any photos, IT WILL ALL WORK OUT... I do this so often that NOTHING surprises me anymore, I am prepared and have experienced so many different situations, I can almost always find a way to get amazing portraits out of the craziest situations. DON'T STRESS!

Don’t be surprised if it takes your baby a good little while to get into “baby model mode.” They aren’t used to being handled this much! I ALWAYS hear, “They aren’t usually like this.” Well, for one, everyday is different with newborns for the first few weeks, but MAINLY because they aren’t usually touched, picked up, and posed (and re-posed) on props. Eventually they just get so tuckered out, they don’t notice that I'm moving them around. So please don't stress if an hour (or longer) in, we havent taken a picture yet... IT WILL ALL WORK OUT!! TRUST ME!

Lastly, get ready to LOVE your baby even more, watching them sleep is such a beautiful thing and your going to fall in love with them, even more, watching them being photographed.

I kindly ask that you DO NOT photograph/video me, my session, or your baby during ANY of my sessions. You will get an online sneak peek from your session in a couple days to hold you over until I finish editing them, and you will be so much happier with the quality of my images, than with a cellphone shot from the session. I really appreciate your understanding and respect on this topic.

If you have ANY questions or would like more information on newborn sessions please do not hesitate to reach out:

Newborn Portrait Session Information & Prep

sara@saralassiterphotography.com

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