Krista Alyse Photography
Newborn Prep Guide
Congratulations on the newest member of your adorable family! Since these first few days and weeks are just so magical, it is such an honor to document your little one. I assure you that it will all be
worthwhile since you have decided to preserve this fleeting moment with your child and to always remember them precisely as they are right now. Here are some tips & tricks for getting ready for your
newborn session that I've found to be really useful in making it as joyful, stress-free, and fun as possible.
Let's get started!
NewBorn Prep
Best Time To Book
The best time to do newborn sessions is when infants are between 3 to 14 days old. Newborns sleep peacefully and sweetly throughout the first 14 days or so after birth, and they can easily adopt positions that are similar to when they were in the mother's womb. During this time, the most iconic "sleeping" pictures are taken. When you schedule newborn photos within the first two weeks, you can benefit from the baby's regular sleeping patterns. So, make the appointment as soon as you can to avoid missing this
fantastic opportunity. The sooner you schedule, the sooner we can make sure you have some date options to choose from during the 14 day age range.
Style
Dress your baby with loose clothing or warm fabrics that are simple to unwrap without pulling the layers over the head. This will ensure that
we do not wake the baby upon undressing them. No tight socks or vests to prevent marks on their skin. You don't need to pack anything for the baby to wear. I will provide all the clothing, props, headbands, and wraps. Don't stress about their clothing unless you want to bring anything unique for your baby’s photos. Please let me know if there is something special you want to bring so I can plan the set around it.
Sleep
The secret to getting classic newborn pictures flawlessly is by having your baby sound asleep during the photoshoot. A great way to do this is by making the baby take a warm and long bath approximately 1 to 1.5 hours prior to the scheduled session The baby usually gets soothed, relaxed, and sleepy after the bath. Prior to the session, spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours playing with the baby to try to keep them awake. It is important that your little one must not fall asleep in the car on the way to the location. By keeping them awake, the baby will be exhausted when they arrive at the studio and will easily fall asleep just before the session begins.
Feeding
Newborns are known for being hungry all the time. Before the photoshoot, make sure your baby is well fed. You don't want them screaming for milk throughout their photoshoot. When you feed your baby just before the session, they will cry less and be more at ease. Furthermore, a full belly will result in a happy and sleeping baby! Remember that we are aiming for the baby to be fully asleep throughout the session. Please feel free to arrive at the studio a bit early to feed the baby before, especially if you have a longer commute. After the feeding, make sure to burp the baby. A happy, sleepy baby might quickly become uncomfortable due to gas.
POTTY BREAKS
It is normal and totally okay for the baby to poop or wee on my backdrop or anywhere else when performing the poses where they are undressed. I can promise you that it frequently happens! Please bring baby wipes, extra diapers, and a towel with you. I wash all of my backdrops and any materials the baby comes in contact with following each newborn session. Just in case, it's a good idea to have an extra set of clothes for the parents. The person who always gets poop or wee on is typically me, but occasionally it's you
Mom & DAD
Mom and Dad, you two are a huge part of the show. One of my all-time favorite things to do is take pictures of the bond between a parent and his/her
child.
Dads: Please wear a solid-colored shirt that looks casual yet dressy.
Moms: Keep the design simple and the colors neutral. Your hands will appear in the pictures, so make sure you don't have chipped nails if you're wearing nail polish. I also have some dresses for a flowy look please contact if you would like to see the dresses, and sizes. I believe that neutral/tan, cream and blush, or solids/blacks are the colors that work best for family portraits. Keep in mind that the new baby is the main attraction, so avoid using distracting
patterns and loud colors.
Siblings
It could seem overwhelming to include older siblings in your newborn's photographs, but you'll be happy you did! When it comes to siblings, I advise having dad or another relative bring them at the start of the session. Once the family and their share of the session is finished, they are free to leave. Newborn sessions generally take 2-4 hours and this can become too long especially for young children (and dads sometimes too)