Your Newborn Session

What You Should Know About a Newborn Session

You are expecting a little baby to arrive in the next few months.  You are knee deep in planning his nursery, and researching all of the important safety measures you must take.  The doctor or midwife visits are getting more frequent, and you might have even hired a doula to make sure that the birth goes as smoothly was possible.  During this same time, you are probably looking around to find a maternity and newborn photographer who can provide you with everything you wish during this special moment in your life.  It can be overwhelming, so here’s a breakdown of some important things to know about your newborn session.

When to Plan for It

• Most parents plan for a maternity session as well, which is typically scheduled around 32-37 weeks.  Many photographers schedule these months in advance, so it’s important to start looking around during your second trimester.
• If you aren’t planning on having a maternity session, then book your newborn session 3-4 months before your due date.  Especially if you have a specific photographer in mind.  Newborns take a lot of time and we typically only schedule a certain number each month so we can be flexible when we need to be.
• Your newborn photographer will likely give you a tentative date for your session, but if your baby comes early or decides to stick around beyond her due date, don’t worry.  This is what we do, and we know we need to be flexible in order to schedule your little one at the right time for pictures.  I prefer my newborns to be between 6-14 days old.  If your little one is older than that, please contact me as there are still options available.
• If your little one is having any medical procedures done, let us know because it might affect when you should schedule your session.  Examples would be if they are getting circumcised, or if they need ear molds.

What Your Photographer Should Know

• Your newborn photographer is someone who has worked with newborns, is comfortable with them, and keeps their safety as the top priority.  I sanitize all items baby has used and wash all fabrics, as well as wash my hands during the session and wear a mask.  You will feel confident in your photographer at all times.
• If you are aware of any physical issues that might affect how we work with your little one, please let us know.  Sometimes, you might know ahead of time due to sonogram results.  Other times, it might be related to the childbirth process.  Sometimes, you might choose to delay your session, but other times we might be able to work around it.
• Do you have a pose or specific image in mind that you would love to have? Or colors that you can’t stand?  Please tell us.  It’s much easier to work with that and plan for it ahead of time.

What Does a Typical Newborn Session Look Like

• I schedule your session in the later morning, so that we can hopefully catch them during a good nap time.  They’ve been awake for an hour or two, then right before your session starts they get fed and diaper gets changed.  The hope is that they will eat and then fall asleep.
• Sessions are done in your home, so while you are feeding your little one, I am setting everything up.  Once you hand her off to me, you can sit back and relax.  It’s a great time to either get pampered by the hair and makeup person, or just relax and enjoy the moment.
• I will photograph your baby in a variety of poses, wrapped and in an outfit or two.  All of the items are provided with your session, so you really don’t have to lift a finger during this time.  Their little eyelashes, fingers, toes, and profile are all photographed – you’ll be amazed at how quickly those change!
• We continue our session with family and sibling portraits, which are included with each session.  I believe those are just as important during this special moment in your family’s lives.  We typically use the nursery, master bedroom, and living room to get a variety of images for your gallery.  This is also a great way to get those special details that you added to their nursery while you were waiting for their arrival.

Your Experience After the Newborn Session

After the session might look very different depending on your photographer, but this is what happens after my sessions.  If you are unsure what your photographer’s post session experience is like, then you might need to check with them.

• I fully edit your galleries within 2 weeks and provide them to you with an email link. You can watch a slideshow, and then select your desired collection.
• During the editing process, I remove blemishes and red marks, but birth marks will remain unless specifically requested.
• Your gallery provides you with a lot of opportunities to use your new, beautiful images. You can purchase prints, or create customized announcement cards.  If you selected a package that includes an album, I will be designing your album from images that you select in your gallery.
• I will either mail your products to you, or hand deliver to your home.  The timeline on receiving these items depends greatly on the type of item.

 

 

Newborns | Milestones | Maternity

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Melinda Wilkinson Photography is a Flower Mound, Tx portrait studio providing services to the surrounding Dallas and Denton communities.  We capture posed newborn and maternity portraits, and provide clients with beautiful artwork to look back on.