How to prepare for a successful newborn session

Your session will begin at 10:00 AM.  The studio is located at 329 Margie Drive Suite 2B, Warner Robins, 31088.  The building is in the back right corner of the complex and the studio is upstairs.  The telephone number is 478-293-7776.  Please feel free to call or text.

Just a few tips and suggestions to prepare for the session:

If at all possible, try keeping baby stimulated and awake an hour or so before the session; a bath usually helps in keeping them awake. It’s very important baby is sleepy so the session goes smoothly and I am able to capture lots of adorable images. It’s best to start on a full belly so feeding him/her right before you put them in the car seat to head my way is best; please make sure your baby has a good burp before placing them in their car seat so gas doesn’t settle on the drive here. Please dress baby in a button down outfit (pajamas are preferred, no onesies, please) so I'm not having to pull anything over their head while undressing them.

The room will be set between 80-85 degrees for baby so please dress accordingly. I will also play a white noise machine to mimic the sound of the womb.

Jaundice: If your baby has jaundice or is still yellow from jaundice it is best we wait until it is out of his/her system. Jaundice is very hard to edit out of skin due to the yellow/red blotchiness it causes as it is leaving their system. Jaundice is typically gone by week 2.

Gas: If you are breastfeeding and your baby has gas issues, please abstain from eating the following 72 hours before your session : dairy products — milk, cheese, yogurt, pudding, ice cream, or any food that has milk, milk products, casein, whey, or sodium casein in it. Other foods that may cause gas and fussiness include anything with caffeine, soy, fish, peanuts, chocolate, wheat, beef, nuts, eggs, corn, citrus fruits and prenatal vitamins containing iron. –Courtesy Babycenter & ModernMom Parenting

Caffeine: Please DO NOT drink caffeine 48 hours prior to your session if you are breastfeeding. I have photographed many newborns and have seen a difference in those that are getting caffeine through mother’s breast milk. Babies who are affected by caffeine tend to be very jumpy, tense and alert.

Diapers and Wipes

Pacifier: Please bring a pacifier (no animal pacifiers, please). I recommend a Soothie pacifier so it does not leave red rings around baby’s mouth. Even if your baby does not take one from you (specifically if you are nursing, they can smell you and will want to nurse over soothing with
a pacifier), they will usually take one from me. A baby’s natural born instinct is to pacify and sometimes a pacifier can make or break a session.

Gas drops: To ensure your baby remains comfortable throughout their session, please pack a bottle of gas drops just in case, safe for the newest of babies. I will only ask for gas drops if baby is very uncomfortable and cannot release gas thru self-release or burping.

Bottle & Formula (if not nursing) 

Siblings:  Sibling and family poses will be done first thing.  Baby will be wrapped for sibling poses.  Big/Little shirts and matching outfits are cute, but not practical for newborn sessions.  When the sibling and family poses are finished, siblings under age 5 will need to leave the studio for the duration of the session.