SOCIAL MEDIA

Monday 19 May 2014

Preparing for your Newborn session

WHEN TO SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION:


     Typically families book their newborn sessions months in advance, and schedule them tentatively around baby's due date. Once baby arrives I recommend you contact me at your earliest convenience to set up an actual date/time for the session. We will then try to schedule your session for when baby is between 5 and 12 days old.

TIPS TO CONSIDER SO YOUR NEWBORN SESSION WILL GO AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE:


 1. If you are nursing, please try to avoid eating anything that could make baby gassy, or upset baby's tummy, in the 24 hours prior to your session. A gassy baby may not pose well during their session.  If you notice that baby happens to be gassy on the day of your session, Oval or gripe water can help ease baby's discomfort. If you are not breastfeeding, please bring 1-2 extra feedings above what you expect baby to need.

2. Try your best to interact with baby in the 1-2 hours prior to your session to make sure that he/she is good and sleepy when the time comes for their session. This is very important. A nice warm bath with some lotion afterwards is a good way to keep baby up prior to their session, and will also help with any flaky skin that he/she might have.

3.If the weather permits, put baby into their car seat with only their diaper on, and then wrap with blankets as necessary. I realize with our climate this often isn't an option, in that case: dress baby in loose fitting clothes that will be easy to remove once we get into the studio. Do not put him/her in anything that will need to be pulled over their head. A zip up sleeper is always a great option, or those wraps that they sometimes provide in the hospital. Last but not least, when putting on baby's diaper, fasten it loosely to make for easier removal without waking baby once you arrive.

 4.Please give baby a nice big feed right before you get in the car for your session. Tickle their toes, change their diaper, do anything you need to keep them awake for a nice full feed. Newborn sessions typically last 2-3 hours, so be prepared to feed baby, sometimes several times during the session, in order to keep him/her calm and sleepy.

5. Bring a pacifier if baby takes one.



SIBLING SHOTS:

1. We will do these shots FIRST at your session. I then ask that you have a spouse/partner that can take the siblings home, or out to do something fun for the remainder of the session. The goal at your newborn session is to achieve the sleepy shots of baby, and it can be quite difficult to sooth baby with older children to entertain in the studio.

2.Keep the wardrobe neutral. White/Cream/Beige(without patterns or logos) is recommended for older siblings. Tops with jeans, or even dresses for the girls look great. The shots will be barefoot, so there is no need to worry about shoes.

3. Bribery works wonders... Do the older siblings have a favorite treat? Gummy bears, lollipops and smarties are all good ideas.





I've covered most of our bases up above, but if you have any other questions or concerns about your session feel free to send me a fb message or email at elishahawrylukphotographer@gmail.com