Newborn Session Guide

Newborn Session Guide

Thank you.... Firstly, I'd like to say a huge thank you for choosing me to be your newborn photographer! I'm really looking forward to meeting you and to photographing your newborn baby soon. I'm Lauren, and I've been working with and photographing newborns and families for a number of years now, it's something I adore! If you ever have any questions about your session please don't hesitate to get in touch via email or one of my social media platforms and we can chat about your session any time.

\"A baby fills a place in your heart that you never knew was empty\"

Pre-session Consultation Our pre-session consultation will help me set up on the day ready for your arrival and it will give me an understanding of your style and colour preferences for the photoshoot. Around 2 weeks before your due date I'll be in touch via email to ask you how you'd like to have your consultation. You consultation can be in the form of an online questionnaire, over the phone or via zoom. If you prefer you can also come into the studio for your consultation. Some people like this option as we get to meet (if you haven't already had a maternity photoshoot with me) and have a look at the props and materials I have available. You also get to see all the beautiful frames and wall art I have on display which can help you make decisions when it comes to choosing how you'd like to display images in your own home.

The day of your shoot.. Awake time... In the morning before your session feeding baby... I always recommend trying to keep baby active and awake for as much of the time as possible. Bathing baby, stripping them off to their nappy or a vest and nappy for a kick around on their play mat and lots of talking to them can help them to be active with the aim of them then being ready for a good sleep once they arrive at the studio. If possible it's best for baby to have a really good feed on arrival at the studio as a good feed is usually followed by a good sleep, good sleep is what we're aiming for. If you're able to work out timings for the morning feeds to plan for a good feed on arrival that's great, if baby needs to be fed right before leaving and is happier with a shorter feed to settle and then a top-up on arrival that is also an option.

Dressing baby... Please dress your baby in a simple babygrow, no vest underneath. This is so that if baby is asleep on arrival I can quickly dress baby easily and begin the session without disturbing them. Please avoid socks under the babygrow as these can leave marks on baby's legs during the session. If its a colder day use blankets on top of the babygrow to keep baby warm until your in the studio. Scratches and rashes... Newborns often quickly develop spots or rashes as their skin gets used to the outside world. They also often scratch themselves accidentally with little fingernails. Please don't worry about these sorts of marks, if wanted these can be edited out of the photos. If baby has a particularly bad rash or reaction to something in the days before the photoshoot please get in touch to chat about it, as on a few occasions its best to delay the session by a few days to give the skin a chance to settle, particularly if it is uncomfortable for baby.



During your session.... When you arrive I'll offer you a tea or coffee while baby has a good feed and then its time to get started! If baby is asleep great, I'll get going with the sleepy, posed photos I'm sure you've seen lots of on my website. If baby is awake but content I'll begin with some awake shots. Once baby is sleeping I'll then move through my plan for the session which will include photographing baby on a range of backgrounds including on fabrics and in bowls and basket props. You don't need to bring anything along with you on the day for the actual photos. If you have items that you wish to bring along please make sure you let me know before the session so I can plan accordingly to incorporate these items. Sessions are baby led and the poses I photograph on the day are totally dependent on baby on the day. Some babies sleep the entire session, some are cluster feeding and are more comfortable being wrapped in a bowl than being naked. We follow baby's lead here as baby's comfort is always paramount. We stop and feed as often as baby needs to, please be aware that breastfed babies do feed often throughout the session and that's absolutely expected. I'll pass baby back to you for feeding as often as needed and once the feed is finished I'll continue where I left off. If you have any questions once you've read the Newborn Session Guide please don't hesitate to get in touch.

What to bring I've put together a handy checklist of what you need to bring along for your session, it's all the usual things in your baby bag, plus a few extras.... Newborn Photoshoot Checklist Muslin cloths - and lots of them! Dummies - If you use them please bring a few along as they can be great to help settle baby when wrapping and after a feed. If you don't use a dummy but are happy for one to be used for short periods during the session only please do bring one, preferably two. Nappies - pack as many as you think you'll need, then add another 5! Babies often seem to feed and fill their nappies more than usual during a session A change of clothes for yourself - just in case! There are times when I photograph baby without a nappy on and I may photograph you or dad with baby without a nappy so please pop something spare in a bag just in case. Plenty of formula feeds if bottle feeding - as baby is being posed and moved around and because the studio is warm I find that babies often feed a little more often than usual, Please bring plenty of spare feeds just in case. Drinks and snacks - a newborn shoot can last a good few hours so please do bring along anything you might like to eat or drink during the session. I do have tea and coffee facilities in the studio for you too.



Family photos I offer parent and newborn photos as part of all my newborn photoshoots. Even if you're not feeling great (to be expected with a newborn and sleepless nights) I always encourage you to have just one photo of you altogether if possible, though it's totally your choice on the day. If you're up for it I offer to photograph mum and baby, dad and baby and then the three of you together but if you Bringing siblings prefer just the family photo that's fine too, whatever you're comfortable If your newborn has a big brother or sister with. you are welcome to bring them along for some sibling photos and a family photo if you're planning one. However, as a shoot can last a good few hours it can be too long to expect a little one to hang around once their part is over with. I recommend having older sibling come to the studio at the start of the session, then when baby is settled I get the sibling photos taken care of asap so dad can take big brother or sister off to school or to a grandparents house. Dad then usually comes back for the remainder of the session. My studio is on the first floor of a soft play so an alternative option is that you bring a spare change of clothes and either dad or mum can take the sibling to soft play for the rest of the session while I continue on with the newborn photos.

What to Wear If you're planning a few family photos I'm sure you'll ask yourself what is best to wear. Well, you don't need to worry about baby as little one will be wrapped for family photos, but below is some guidance on what the adults and siblings can wear on the day. Avoid Wear Any clothing with big logos Something plain, neutral or pale or brand names colours with subtle logos or unbranded. Patterns and prints Any big, bold or busy patterns can go in and out of fashion, you Statement jewellery and large want your photos to be hanging watches on your walls for years to come. All matching colours. Though Between you, wear colours that it's tempting to believe that all compliment each other, such as wearing the same colour will look blues, creams and greys or white, great this style of photo can look beiges and browns as opposed to dated. all wearing blue tops Skin to skin photos always look amazing too! Dads: If you prefer not to be shirtless, we ask that you bring a plain, round neck or vneck t-shirt to wear with a good pair of jeans or chino style trousers. A simple, plain, light coloured, collared shirt with sleeves that can roll up is also nice. Mums: A loose-fitting, plain t-shirt or top works well, also bring a strappy vest in either nude, grey, white or black. Please use a very natural nail polish (or none) as your hands will make their way into the images. Bring your make up bag along if wanted and rest assured, we aim to photograph using flattering angles and lighting to bring out the natural beauty in your family.

Location My photography studio is located within Let Loose Soft play, in its own space on the first floor. The address of the studio is: 140 Corporation Road, Newport, NP19 0BH As you drive along Corporation Road you'll spot Let Loose Soft Play, it's a large building with art work painted along the front of the building. There is a turning on the left hand side of the building that leads into a carpark at the rear of the building. The entrance to Let Loose is at the back of the building, you'll see it as you drive into the car park. Head into the soft play and let the staff on the desk know you're there for a photoshoot booking and they'll point you upstairs to my studio. If you're bringing a sibling along to a newborn shoot you're welcome to book them in with Let Loose for a play session (please book in advance directly with Let Loose Soft Play) and when the sibling photos are finished mum or dad can head down into the play areas for some fun while I continue with the rest of the session with the newborn and other parent.

After the shoot.... One to two weeks after your photoshoot you'll be invited back for your viewing session where you'll be able to view the edited gallery of images from the newborn photoshoot for the first time. (approx 25 images) Viewing sessions are my favourite part of the whole process as I love being there to see the reactions when people view the beautiful images for the first time. At the viewing session you'll choose your package (all info on packages available to view on the website) and it's also the time when we'll plan your wall art order. I have sample products in the studio for you to view and can show you mock ups of your selected products on the day too. After the viewing session I'll get your order finalised, will order your products and I'll be in touch when your order is then ready for collection. I usually ask you to allow 4 weeks from the day of your viewing session for me to prepare your order for collection.

Preparing for your Viewing Session Before your viewing session its important you have a plan for where you want to display your chosen images in your home. Prams, cots and all those baby items are bought and sold on after a year or two, your newborn photographs are the one thing that you'll keep forever to look back on so it's important to choose something really lovely for your home. We offer the following products to display your images in your home Multi image frames Acrylic and birch spheres Framed canvas Large framed single images Grandparent gift prints Please take a look at the following pages to get an idea of how you'd like to display your favourite images in your home.

Multi image frames Spheres Multi image frames come in a range The acrylic or birch spheres give the of sizes and frame styles with a real wow factor. Acrylic suits a selection of layouts available. Perfect modern, minimalist style of home, if you'd like to display a selection of while the birch is perfect for more your favourite images from your traditional styling and homes with session. wood furniture and flooring. Prices from £249 Prices from £249 Framed Canvas These beautiful framed canvas pieces make an amazing addition to your home and are a classic piece of wall art. There are a range of sizes and frame options to choose from to suit your budget and your home. Prices from £299

That's it for now! I hope this session guide has provided you with all the info you need ahead of your session, however if you have any questions at all please don't hesitate to get in touch [email protected] www.newfawnphotography.co.uk