Welcoming a new baby can be both joyful and overwhelming!

You have chosen us to capture this beautiful yet fleeting time in your babies life and we want to make sure this is an enjoyable experience for you and your family.  A peaceful state of sleepiness is the ultimate goal of our newborn sessions, although we will capture some awake shots along the way where we can.  To help ensure the process runs smoothly I'm asking for a little bit help from you.

A sleepy baby is key to the success of your session so please follow all of the helpful tips and instructions below. 

1. Keep baby awake before leaving home, if your baby has slept solidly for hours prior to your session, we may spend much of your session trying to get your baby to sleep and not get many sleepy posed shots. If you can, on the morning of your session, try to keep your baby awake for approx. 1-2 hours by giving them a bath, interacting with them, and feeding just before you leave your home , you can top up on  arrival at my studio if needed.

We understand that things are often easier said than done & this may not go to plan ..please don't worry if it doesn't!  This prep guide is here to help you but it is not the end of the world if things don't go to plan and we will always do our best to get your little one to sleep.

2. Dress baby in a simple white suit or an outfit that you would like photographed and a wrap, this way if baby is sleeping soundly on arrival we can begin without disturbing their sleep. No tight socks or vests to avoid lines on their skin.

3. Please bring a dummy even if you are not regularly using one, it can be a huge lifesaver when baby continuously wants to feed/suckle for comfort. Sometimes it really is the difference between getting that short or not!  A dummy can help to avoid contact with mum while we are in the “rhythm” of a session.

4. If you are breastfeeding, it may help to avoid spicy or acidic foods & caffeine in the 48 hours prior to your session as this could possibly make the baby unsettled. I also suggest bringing along an expressed bottle if you can as it can make it easier to settle baby in the middle of posing. If bub is bottle fed bring more than you think you will need!

5. Please bring along anything that you would like to have photographed during your session, a family heirloom, favourite teddy or wrap. We don't encourage you to bring outfits as such but if you have one bring it along and we will see if we can include it during the session. There is no need to bring anything if you don't want to, we have plenty of beautiful items in the studio to use.

6. It is important that you arrive on time. If you are running late PLEASE text me to let me know asap (0410415691) Note: your session may be cut short if it overlaps with our next booking.

 

More detail for those that like to be totally prepared

1. Bath

Although a bath will ensure that your little one is clean with that fresh bathed hair and smell, the main reason for the bath is to keep bub awake and tire them out. The key is to linger during the bath, take your time, draw it out longer than you normally would. You can finish it off with an after bath massage, this will help them relax and will also help with any dry skin. Dress baby in a simple white button at the crotch suit [ no singlet] and wrap loosely 

 

2. Feeding

Please try to fully feed your baby just prior to leaving. A full tummy equals a sleepy baby! 

Tip-Get dressed and pack everything BEFORE feeding baby so it’s the last thing you do before heading to the studio!  

If your baby is awake and ready to feed when you arrive, it is best to undress them first, loosen the nappy and then wrap them in a blanket before feeding. I may ask you to ignore a strict feeding schedule and a "no dummy" rule for the duration of the session! The only way we will achieve calm, curly poses is if your baby is happy, full and sleeping deeply. 

Tip-pack an extra bottle [expressed if breastfeeding only] it is always best to have more than you need and a bottle can often help to settle bub during the posing process

 

3. At The Studio

Please try to be on time as running late may mean that we have less time to spend with your family before our next session. The studio will be heated to keep your little one warm and sleepy, so dress in layers so that you can remove some if you get too warm. Generally a newborn session will take approximately  2 hours, please make sure that you sustain yourself with a meal before you arrive  to help you through the session. Once you arrive I will ask you to relax on our couch and let the fun begin. 

 

4. Siblings