Newborn Session Guide
Your Guide to a Stress Free photo session
What to Expect
Hi There,
In case we haven’t met yet – I’m Eva from Eva Elizabeth Photography. I created this guide to help make your photo experience as easy as possible. I’ve used my years of experience to put all my best tips from prepping baby to planning outfits in one place! If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years it is that all babies are different so nothing in this guide is mandatory – just tips and ideas I have found that often lead to the best results that I want to share with you! Most importantly – plan to take a breathe and spend some time loving on your family at your session! Scroll on through and start getting excited for your session day!
Can’t wait to see you!
– Eva
When Baby Arrives
When your little one arrives just let me know how everyone is doing and how soon you would like to schedule your session. I will send some options to finalize the session date.
If you haven’t already it’s time to fill out or update your session questionnaire so I can get to know your family a little beforehand. This will help me get to know your family (don’t forget pets and any grandparents that might there) before hand. I will also ask about your home and style so I can plan to come prepared with wrap colors you like, wear a mask if you prefer and make sure I have the right gear with me.
**Please let me know of any medical concerns (baby, mama, and family)that may need to be considered for safety during the session.**
I will send a final email 2 days before your session to check in one last time and make sure all the details are in order. This is the perfect time for any last minute updates.
What to Wear
For Everyone:
– Choose outfits everyone is comfortable and feels good in
– Stick with 2-3 colors that coordinate
– Soft, deep and neutral colors are all great
– Limited patterns that aren’t too overwhelming
– Check everyones finger nails – your hands will be in the pictures!
– Think about everyone’s feet – barefeet, socks or shoes are all good choices but everyone should coordinate
– Accessorize with jewelry but avoid watches
For Her:
– Choose your outfit first
– Say yes to the dress (wrap dresses with some movement look great on every body shape!)
– Maxi skirts or jeans and a fitted shirt (with texture) are more casual alternatives
– Short sleeves over the upper arm or layer with a sweater/jean jacket
– Movement is beautiful (light, flowy, ruffles) in dresses
– Texture is beautiful (lace, crochet, velvet)
For Him:
– Button ups, Polos or Henley’s are all good shirt choices
– well fit pants – jeans, colored pants, or khakis
For Baby:
– Less is more – the focus should be on the baby not on the clothing
– Naked or a simple well fit onsie is best
– Any special wraps or items can be used to accessorize baby.
For Siblings:
– Dress them up in something a bit more than their typical play clothes (all the adult guidelines also work for the kids!)
– Accent anything that is especially adorable for their age (overalls, rompers, twirly dresses)
– wear tights or bloomers under dresses for little girls
– Accessorize with – bow ties, suspenders, flower crowns, hair bows.
– Avoid all logos and characters, bright/neon colors and frilly costume dresses for girls
Need more help? Pinterest has tons of outfit inspiration and color palettes. Or better yet, want to have someone else do all of this outfit planning for you? CLICK HERE to check out Style and Select – for $15 they will plan the outfits for everyone in your family and tell you where to purchase each piece (with options to use what you already own too and put in a budget to stick to!)
Your Session Day
Most importantly, this is baby’s photo session and we will do everything on baby (and siblings) schedule. I am very easy going and patient so please do not worry about any changes we need to make to accommodate babies (or siblings) needs! feedings, diaper changes (messes with no diapers) and crying happen at every session; and is to be expected at some point.
BEFORE
– Tidy the rooms you expect to use for pictures.
– Your home does not need to be perfectly clean just hide away what you can -especially brightly colored items that could be a distraction in the background.
– We can move items to the other side of the room as needed when I arrive (also bathrooms are a great place to hide things and close the door!)
– Keep the temperature a little on the warm side. We want baby comfortable naked.
– Feed your baby about 30-45 minutes before I arrive.
– Consider changing and dressing your baby (in a onesie or naked with a nice swaddle you like) before they eat in case they fall asleep so we can avoid disrupting them first thing.
WHEN I ARRIVE:
– We will get to know each other a little bit and I’ll have you give me a quick tour of your home so we can choose ideal spots for photos depending on the light in your home.
– I will give you an idea of how I expect things to go based on the rooms, the light that day and how baby/siblings are doing.
– Typically I will start with sibling pictures right away as the older kids tend to lose their excitement quickly! These tend to be done on the floor near a window or in the parents bed.
– Next we will move on to some full family images (so siblings are then done and can participate as they want from that point on). At this point things can really relax as we just focus on parents loving on baby. We can move to other spaces in the home and capture more of the everyday lifestyle of your family.
– Finally I will capture some pictures of just baby in different wraps and accessories.
– Any special items like blankets, a lovey, family heirlooms, headbands etc. always make the pictures more personal and meaningful later.
– Finally please let me know during the session if you have ideas you want to try or feel that something is missing from the session so we can get some shots in while I am there! I love hearing your ideas and they make your images fit your family better!
After
You did it! Plan on a nap that afternoon – you will all be exhausted! Within 1 month of your session date you will receive a gallery link to your beautiful slideshow. This is the highlight of the experience so wait for everyone to be together and don’t forget the tissues!
Siblings
1. Toddlers will run the show and that is ok!
2. I will always try to start with sibling & family pictures since we all know their excitement for pictures will fade fast!
3. Stay flexible – Even if you feel they are not at their best thats ok – continue to smile through and do your best to keep things fun and light.
4. Follow their lead & keep it fun – If they need to be active we can play a game or if they want to be held then we will start with some family snuggles. (Avoid promises that will not work well in the pictures or disappear quickly – like oreos, chocolate, suckers or toys they will never put down)
A Final Note
I can’t wait for our session together!
Hopefully you found this information helpful. If you have any questions or concerns leading up to your session, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
My goal is to serve you the best that I can! This is going to be a fun session! Relax and enjoy making these memories with your family that you’ll get to treasure forever.
Watch for that final email 2 days before your session date and I’ll see you soon!
– Eva
Eva@EvaElizabethPhotography.com
720-722-4289