preparing for your newborn photoshoot
I'm Pippa and I am a specialist newborn photographer based in Dorset. I have specialised in newborn photography for the last 9 years! I have welcomed and photographed hundreds of babies in that time! And met wonderful families along the way.
So, you've booked your newborn photoshoot ,super exciting! But you don't know what to bring or how to prepare for your photoshoot! Here is a step by step guide to help you through the process. By following these steps your experience will be stress free!
how to prepare
Newborn photoshoots are such a wonderful way to document your brand new baby! Having a professional photoshoot done means that you will always have professional, beautiful, timeless photographs to cherish forever!
The thought of a newborn photoshoot is SO exciting! But I also understand it could be quite a daunting thought....
WHAT TO WEAR - PLAN IN ADVANCE
This I find even from personal experience is one of the most important! Planning ahead is SO important!
You've booked your photoshoot whilst you were still pregnant, so now you can think about outfits! Always keep it simple, don't over complicate things. I have everything we need for your newborn baby. I have beautiful hand knitted outfits and beautiful soft blankets. But what do you wear? Neutrals are my thing! I always suggest keeping it neutral and simple! Make sure your outfits coordinate with your partner, these will then photograph beautifully.
I usually suggest for Mums to wear something they feel comfortable in post partum. This could be a white/ neutral floaty dress or a bagbaggy shirt with jeans! For Dads a simple white t-shirt or shirt with jeans/ chinos looks brilliant!
These simple outfits in neutrals photograph really well, and they won't age over time!
FEED BABY BEFORE YOU LEAVE
If it's possible and the timings work out, I always suggest to feed your baby before you leave the house for your photoshoot. This means that baby will be content, full and nice and sleepy the when you arrive. However if timings don't work out don't worry! You can feed on arrival and we can have a lovely chat before we start your shoot.
dressing baby before you leave
I like my sessions to be relaxed for everyone. Having a content baby from start to finish is what I always aim to achieve. By dressing your baby in a front opening baby gro allows me to undress baby without disturbing them too much. If it's a cold time of year you can pop a blanket over them to make sure they will be nice and warm on the way. If they are already asleep on arrival, I can very slowly undress them and pop them into a wrap to start the session. By disturbing them as little as possible means they will stay asleep longer and be happy and content.
what should i bring with me?
I know leaving the house with a newborn baby, plus possibly siblings too is a daunting task. 'Will I be late? I don't know where I'm going!' So many things running through your mind. But I like my families to relax as much as possible and not worry about bringing lots of different things with them.
I have most things we need, toys for siblings, food and snacks, outfits and wraps for your newborn.
The two important things you will need to bring are nappies for your baby and formula milk if you are bottle feeding, that's it! Let me deal with the rest so you can have a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
plan your journey
If this is your first visit to me you may not know where my studio is. Fortunately my studio is super easy to find, we have free parking right outside the studio making it as easy as it can be for you. If you don't know the area too well, once you have booked in I will send you details including location. Plan ahead and look up the address on Google maps. Make sure you know roughly where you are going, so if you are running late you don't need to panic!
I really hope these tips have been helpful! If you can plan ahead as much as possible you can look forward to a fun and stress free experience. Please leave the rest to me, I will take care of you all and I can wait to meet you!
If you are thinking of booking your newborn photoshoot I would LOVE to hear from you! Please contact me to chat!
Pippa xx
