Posed Newborn Preparation Guide

Hello and thank you so much for choosing me as your newborn photographer! Both you as a parent and me as your photographer have the same goal for your session and that is to capture amazing photos of your newborn to treasure for a life time! I hope this guide prepares you so that your session goes as smoothly as possible!

Full sessions are 3hrs, generally 2 hours to take the photos, and 1 hour to feed, change and settle baby. After the 3hrs are up, I will wrap up our session and return baby safely to their mama. By this time newborns are generally done, and their comfort and safety are always my priority. Even if baby is squirmy and awake for your whole session, newborns have a way of making everything adorable, so do not worry if this is your experience! Please note that not every baby LOVES having their picture taken, being posed, and wearing hats, etc.

Today you may have the most peaceful and sleepy baby, but your session may be a whole other story. A fully fed baby will have the best chance of falling and staying a sleep through our session.

Did you have a baby boy?

If you are going to have him circumcised, for the sake of their comfort, please book your circumcision AFTER your photo session.

Expectations

Newborn sessions are often very different from other types of photography. Each pose requires careful attention to baby’s comfort, safety, and natural settling patterns, and it is normal within the newborn photography industry to achieve only 1–2 perfect final images from a completed pose.

I do everything in my power to continue a session until it meets my professional standards, allowing plenty of time for feeding, soothing, settling, and transitions between poses. Every family receives a proof gallery with enough beautiful images to make their selection. While many frames may be captured throughout the process, only the strongest images that meet my professional standards will be included in your proof gallery.

1. Bring a pacifier, bottles & diapers

If your baby does not currently use a pacifier, I strongly recommend bringing one for the session only.

A pacifier can be an invaluable tool during newborn photography, helping satisfy baby’s natural need to suck while posing. This often helps babies settle more quickly and remain calm and comfortable throughout the session.

Whether you are breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or formula-feeding, please bring extra milk for your session. Newborns often burn more energy than usual during a photography session and may require additional feedings compared to what they would typically consume at home.

If your baby wears cloth diapers, please let me know before your session. I will provide disposable diapers to use during photographing, as most cloth diapers are too bulky to fit comfortably beneath wraps, fabrics, and newborn outfits.

2. Feedings

To make the most of your session time and minimize interruptions for feeding, I highly recommend having a bottle available during your newborn session. Whether it contains pumped breast milk or formula, a bottle often allows for quicker top-ups and can help baby settle back to sleep more efficiently between poses.

For breastfeeding families, this does not mean you need to stop nursing during your session. Many babies will still require a quick snack or comfort feed. However, having a bottle available can help maximize the variety of poses and images we are able to achieve within your session time.

If you plan to use a bottle during your session, I recommend using a slow-flow newborn nipple and ensuring baby is comfortable taking a bottle beforehand. A quick practice feed the day before can be very helpful. 

If you choose not to provide a bottle, pacifier, or supplemental feeding option, please understand that additional time may be needed to settle and feed baby throughout the session. As session time is limited, this may reduce the number of poses we are able to safely and comfortably achieve.

For the best start to your session, I recommend giving baby a full, unrushed feeding approximately 30–45 minutes before your scheduled session time. If you would like to arrive early to feed your baby at the studio, please let me know in advance. I will do my best to accommodate your request whenever possible. As this is a home-based studio and I have children and pets of my own, advance notice is greatly appreciated.

3. Keep your baby awake 45min to an hour before session

To help encourage a sleepy, settled baby during your session, I recommend keeping your newborn awake as much as possible during the hour leading up to your appointment.

While many parents tell me their baby “sleeps all the time,” newborn photography is very different from being asleep at home. The movement involved in posing, transitioning between setups, and unswaddling often wakes even the sleepiest babies.

A little awake time beforehand can go a long way toward helping baby settle into a deeper sleep once we begin.

To increase the chances of a sleepy baby, try one or more of the following before your session:

1. Spend time talking, cuddling, and interacting with baby.
2. Allow baby to spend some time in only a diaper, which can help keep them alert.
3. Give baby a warm bath before leaving for your appointment. As a bonus, clean hair photographs beautifully!

Of course, every baby is different, and there are no guarantees when it comes to newborns. These suggestions simply help set us up for the greatest chance of a smooth, sleepy session. When paired with a full feeding before your appointment, many babies arrive ready for a long, cozy nap in the studio.

4. Dress baby in a zipper onesie for easy removal (No layers)

5. What to wear

Wear something comfortable.

• Newborn: All outfits are provided for your beautiful baby.
• Mom: Earthy tones or white, in a dress, plain top, or a cozy sweater, light-colored pants. (no black)
• Dad: Earthy tones or a white ironed clean t-shirt, make sure fingernails are clean and manicured. (no black)
• Siblings: Same as above. 

If siblings will be participating in the session, please ensure their faces are clean, eyes are free of discharge, noses are wiped, and hair is brushed before arriving.

A well-rested child is often a happy and cooperative child, so I strongly recommend planning your session around nap schedules whenever possible. This small step can make a big difference in helping us create beautiful family and sibling portraits.

6. Dress in layers

My studio is kept quite warm—typically 23°C (73°F) or higher—to ensure your newborn remains comfortable throughout the session.

I recommend dressing lightly or wearing layers, as many parents find the studio warmer than they are accustomed to. If you would prefer, you are welcome to bring a change of clothes and change after your portion of the session has been photographed.

7. Prepare for the break

During your session, I encourage you to sit back, relax, and enjoy a well-deserved break.

As a new parent, opportunities to rest can be hard to come by! I handle nearly all aspects of posing, soothing, and photographing your baby, so there is very little that I will need from you during the session.

Many parents choose to watch a movie, catch up on emails, read a book, or simply take some time to unwind while I work with their little one.

Occasionally, I may ask a parent who is not feeding baby to lend a hand as a spotter for certain prop setups. This extra set of hands helps ensure baby remains safe and supported at all times. For the most part, however, your job is simple: relax, enjoy the experience, and let me take care of the rest.

8. Eat before you arrive

Light snacks and beverages will be available during your session.

However, because newborn sessions can last up to three hours, I recommend eating before you arrive whenever possible. 

If you think you may become hungry during your appointment, please feel free to bring a more substantial meal or lunch to enjoy while I photograph your baby. Your comfort is important, and I want you to feel relaxed and well taken care of throughout your session.

9. Allergy alert

Please note that we have two dogs who live in our home. While they are kept out of the studio during sessions, and I thoroughly vacuum and mop before each appointment, this is still a pet-friendly home environment.

I also welcome pets to participate in studio sessions, which means pet dander may be present despite regular cleaning. If you or a family member have significant pet allergies, I recommend taking any allergy medication you normally use prior to your session and consulting your healthcare provider if you have concerns. Your comfort is important to me, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding allergies or accommodations.

10. After your session

Your unedited proof gallery will be sent to via email within 48 business hours of your session. You will have 2 weeks for the opportunity to select your photos. 5 for the mini session, 10-20 for the standard and full sessions, but you can also opt out of the selection and I will choose for you. Please provide the file names of your selected photos. Your selection will then be professionally edited and retouched.

In professional photography, it is standard practice not to deliver every duplicate, test frame, or image that does not meet the photographer’s quality standards. I deliver all unique images that meet my professional standards and accurately represent the session. 

Raw images will never be delivered to clients.

The remainder of balance is due before your session, you can pay with EMT to jessielynndaase@gmail.com or cash. I will email an invoice to include the GST for you.

Your finished photos from your session will be sent to you by digital download within 14~40 days of your last payment and selection. Your digital gallery will expire within 60 days so remember to download all your photos to your desktop or external hard-drive. If you every need to recover your photos, this can be done but with a $5.00 recovery fee

P.S

Please don’t feel disappointed or frustrated if your baby prefers to be awake, alert, or “visit” rather than sleep during the session.

This is very normal for newborn photography. It can sometimes take time, often longer than expected, to settle baby into a deep sleep or capture a specific pose. That’s completely okay. Newborns are brand new to this environment, and they require a great deal of patience, time, and gentle repetition. You may be surprised by how much work can go into achieving just one beautiful, finished image. However, please rest assured that I have the experience and patience needed to work at your baby’s pace and create a gallery of images you will treasure!