Preparing for a Newborn Session // Crystal Lake Newborn Photographer

Preparing for a newborn session can seem overwhelming at first, but I’m here to ensure a successful and stress-free experience!

If you’re expecting and are looking for tips on how to prepare for your upcoming newborn session then you’re in the right place! Below are some of my top tips for making sure your newborn session is smooth, stress-free and successful.

Schedule the Session Early: Newborns are most cooperative and sleepy during the first two weeks of life, so book your due date in advance with your photographer to secure a spot during this window. I only book a small handful of due dates each month in my calendar to ensure the most flexibility when it comes to scheduling your newborn session once baby arrives.

Timing is Key: Plan the session around your baby’s feeding and nap schedule. A well-rested and fed baby is more likely to be calm and cooperative.

I know this can be tricky as most babies are still figuring out their nights and days in the first couple weeks of life, but try to plan as best you can for baby to be fed and have a full tummy before we begin our session. If you need to, arrive a couple minutes early to the studio to feed baby before we start!

Keep Baby Warm: Newborns are most comfortable when they’re warm. Ensure the shooting area is comfortable if we’re photographing in your home — I’ll have lots of newborn wraps on hand to get them all cozy and snug. If we’re photographing in a studio, I have a small space heater we can utilize to make sure your sweet little one is comfortable.

Bring Essentials: Pack baby essentials like diapers, wipes, baggies and extra clothing in case of accidents. If the swaddles get wet, we’ll replace them with fresh ones and continue photographing!

Relaxation: Create a calm and relaxing environment. Does your baby like soft music, white noise, or a gentle shushing sound? I have a baby shusher on hand, but feel free to bring a white noise machine or a playlist on your phone we can photograph to! I love listening to music while we photograph and I think it helps mom and dad relax too.

Be Patient: Newborn sessions can take time, as they often involve feeding, diaper changes, and soothing breaks. Be patient and flexible!

Be Open to Spontaneity: Sometimes the most precious moments are candid. Allow me to capture spontaneous interactions between you and your family!

Stay Relaxed: Babies can sense their parents’ stress, so try to stay relaxed and enjoy the process.

Remember that newborns are on their own timeline, so flexibility and patience are essential. Save this blog post and refer back to it when baby arrives and you begin preparing for a newborn session at home or in the studio. I can’t wait to work with you to create beautiful and memorable images of your newborn!

Hi there! I’m Tamara, a maternity and newborn photographer serving Crystal Lake and surrounding areas. I’d love to be considered when it comes to photographing this special time for your growing family! For more information on newborn collections with me, visit my newborn portfolio here.