WHAT TO EXPECT AND PREP GUIDE

STUDIO NEWBORN SESSION

Congratulations on your new baby! Thank you so much for allowing me the amazing and rewarding job of photographing your little one. Newborns are my passion, and I consider myself truly blessed to be around these little miracles!

Newborn sessions all take place at my studio, located at 801 Division St South, Northfield MN.  There is street parking just in front of the studio.

WHAT TO EXPECT | FOR BABY

Before the session, please feed the baby 2-3 hours prior, and plan on feeding them as soon as you get to the studio – or just before leaving your home if you live close. Also, please do not let them sleep in the hour before the session.  Instead, do things to keep them awake and stimulated, like a bath or tickling their feet, and even letting them fuss a little. These little things will help ensure we will achieve those squishy, sleepy, newborn pictures!

** Don’t stress out over keeping baby awake.  It helps, and assures baby is sleepy during the session.  But it is also not worth your sanity or any added stress.

The studio will be warn, very warm.   I keep the heat around 80 degrees. Please plan for this, and come dressed appropriately. I recommended layers that can be removed when you become warm.

Sessions will last 2-3 hours, sometimes longer if the baby is a light sleeper or hungry. The easiest way to ensure a sleepy baby is to feed them on and off at the session. A full tummy will get us far. Babies always seem to eat more than normal at the session too.   Being adorable is hard work!

If you can, please bring the pacifier the hospital sent home with you. It will be the bendable, green/blue/orange one, and won’t leave marks on the baby’s face after use. Even if you have not used one, please bring it with. They are very helpful with fussy baby’s and the 2 hours of using it on and off will not have a long term impact on your baby.

If you do not have one or forget it, I keep unopened pacifiers at the studio (along with plenty of newborn diapers). However, if you prefer that we do not use one, that is fine as well!

WHAT TO EXPECT | FOR MOMS

You are a big part of the show. Photographing the connection between you, and your baby is an amazing moment. Skin-to-skin contact is important to your little one right now and makes for the most beautiful images. By no means, am I asking you to be naked, but tank tops for parents look great in images.

I ask that you bring a few loosely fitting tanks tops to choose from. Keep the colors neutral and design simple. I recommend shirt colors of white, gray, navy, and or black.  Be sure that you have no fingernail polish on, as your hands will be in the pictures. As a mom, I know the last thing you want to do right after having a baby is being photographed.   Rest assured, I aim to photograph you in the most flattering way. Lighting and angels will bring out the beauty of your family.

Many moms don’t want to be photographed right after having baby – which I totally get.  But I always encourage moms to get at least one pose with their baby.  You can’t get these moments back, and I don’t want you to regret skipping pictures.

WHAT TO EXPECT | FOR DADS

I ask that you bring a tight-fitting v-neck t-shirt to wear, with a snug-fitting pair of jeans. 

I recommend shirt colors of white, gray, navy, and or black.   You can also opt to be shirtless in the images. I love the contrast of a baby against their father’s bare chest.   Oh, and if you have tattoos, I might actually beg you for a shirtless image.

WHAT TO EXPECT | FOR SIBLINGS

Including older brother(s) / sister(s) into your newborn portraits is the perfect way to document this fleeting time.  Knowing that they can sometimes feel a little left out with all of the newness of their sibling, I also take individuals of them.  I want them to have special pictures from the session too.

Sister(s):

Please bring a snug fitting tank top in a neutral color. I ask that girls hair be natural, or in braids, free of bows / headbands / ect. And just like mom, no fingernail polish. 

Brother (s):

A snug pair of jeans and shirtless is preferred for younger siblings. A tight fitting neutral colored t-shirt is also fine. I think little guys shirtless with their new sibling is adorable too.

WHAT TO EXPECT | SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS FOR SIBLINGS

If siblings are joining you, I will do family pictures right away.  As a mother myself, I know how short their attention spans are at young ages. The session will last anywhere between 2-3 hours.  I try scheduling sessions with siblings in the morning.  That way once they are done, they can hang out in the studio, or get a special lunch with dad while I photograph the baby alone.  There are a number of restaurants and bakeries within walking distance of the studio and are a great way to make any older siblings also feel special on that day.

Please avoid bringing treats for siblings to the studio as bribery.  A promise of a treat after works much better than giving them treats during the session, and working around them eating or crying when snacks get taken away.

I will also include updated portraits of the other kiddos.  It’s my way of letting them be the center of attention for a little while, especially when baby is getting so much attention right now. 

WHAT TO EXPECT | STUSIO LOCATION AND PARKING

My studio is located near downtown Northfield, on the corner of Division St and 8th St. I share a building with Hot Spot Music. There are big black and white pictures in the front window of my side of the building. Enter through the south door into the building’s foyer, and the studio door is to the right.

There is street parking both on the front of the building and on the side of the building. It’s usually pretty easy to find parking spots right next to the building.

I hope that you arrive for your session feeling comfortable and at home. I am truly honored to be able to capture this incredible time in your lives, and look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby!