Newborn Photoshoot
Your darling has arrived. With a bit of adjustment you have settled in at home and are ready to start documenting these precious days as you start exploring life as a family of 3, 4, 5…
That’s where I come in. I want to walk you through a few handy tips in preparation for your newborn/family and newborn photoshoot.
There is an aspect of unpredictability that comes with working with children and babies, put simply, there is no guide book that is guaranteed to work. However, there is merit in being prepared so read along with me to see what tips can make your photoshoot preparation easier.
Timing
Photographing babies takes more time than adults and toddlers. Make sure you pick a date that doesn’t push the schedule for timing, you want to enjoy your session without feeling rushed. Be in the moment, the photoshoot itself is an experience and is as important as the final product.
On the day
Relax and try to enjoy the session.
Keep baby comfortable, fed and warm. Don’t skip sleep, we will work around the baby.
From an expectations perspective, in most newborn photoshoots (weeks 1 to 4) it’s likely all your photos will feature a sleeping baby.
It’s perfectly ok to stop during the shoot to feed the baby, often these pauses allow for a setting change or even, if breastfeeding, some beautiful feeding photos.
Make sure everyone participating in the photoshoot is fed too. The term ‘Hangry’ is real, and while the end product of a photoshoot is beautiful, the process can be quite daunting for some.
If you have siblings participating in the shoot, make sure you discuss your expectations of them and how they will be involved.
Accidents happen, so always have two or three outfits ready.
Have any blankets, toys or props ready to go. (Also discuss these with me prior to your shoot so I understand your expectations)
The question I often get asked is, what should we wear for our photoshoot? While there are no rules, in my opinion, candid photoshoots done at home are best described as simple and relaxed.
For baby
A simple white onesie ticks all the boxes, however so do solid colours and delicate patterns.
If you are looking to dress your baby in something more than a white onesie, then let’s talk textures. Textures can add a beautiful dynamic to your photoshoot and my go-to recommendations are, knits, linen and textured cotton.
Slogans, logos and bold prints are generally a ‘no go’ as they are a distraction and take the focus away from what’s important.
Don’t dress the baby in too many layers. Keep in mind that if you pick them up, you don’t want to be tucking or shifting clothes every time. (Stresses everyone out)
Keep accessories simple.
All that said, there is always a place for a sentimental item of clothing that may have been passed down from someone important.
As part of the photographic journey, we will look to capture a series of images that are bare skin. If the temperature is right and the baby is willing, we will strip them down to their nappy, if you can, it’s great to have a couple of nappy covers to hide the Huggies Disney collection.
For Mum and Dad
Honestly, the best advice here is whatever is comfortable and makes you feel confident. Some mothers may still be adjusting to their new bodies and it’s important to honour your body and mind and not put any expectations on yourself.
If I can give you some simple guidance,
Selecting light neutral tones as a base is a go-to of mine.
Add deeper tones and colour variations for depth. Warmer earthy tones like green, blue, mustard and brown always work well.
Some patterns can create a fantastic centrepiece for a photo shoot, like for example dad in a patterned shirt or mum in a patterned dress. I would generally suggest limiting the pattern to 1 family member and looking at dressing everybody else in singular colours that will complement the patterned look.
It’s generally best to choose cream or ivory over a vivid white and only have 1 tone of white as having different tones can be distracting.
Ladies, dresses in general look great. Linen or lace fabrics photograph well and looser midi or maxi dresses create more emotion.
Gentlemen dress for comfort, with longer shorts or full-length pants, with either an untucked polo or a short or long sleeve button shirt.
As I said earlier, there is always that aspect of unpredictability when engaging in a newborn photoshoot, but that’s what makes the candid session memorable. I hope this short guide can help your readiness for your next session.
