Newborn Session Guide | jessicalkphotography

Congratulations on setting up your newborn session.

I am so excited to capture these early days for you.

As a mother myself, I know you will never want to forget this time in your life, and your photos will help you to remember all the precious little details of your new baby.

If you haven't yet scheduled your newborn session and you are expecting, it isn't too soon to set that up. I like to schedule out 5-9 days from your due date with the hopes of holding the session when the little one is 2 weeks of age or younger. If the he/she arrives early or late, I do my best to accomidate by adjusting your session date.

Please swipe through the images to learn more of what to expect and how to prepare for your session.

Thank you.

WHAT TO EXPECT

I bring everything we need for your session right to your home. I set up using natural window light on the first floor of your home.

Set up takes about 5-10 minutes.

Sessions are slow moving and relaxed and completely baby led.

Once baby is comfy in a pose I will shoot that pose from several different angles, Once captured we will transition into another pose. I will do 2 to 3 different set ups of props and a variety of close ups and pull backs so that you have a nice big collection of cohesive and beautiful images. You are welcome to include sentimental items of your own, or often I will borrow something from your home I would like to include such as flowers from a vase, or something from your decor.

I love including siblings and parents in the session. Many times big siblings are toddlers, so we will schedule the session around their nap time, and include them when they are showing interest in what I am doing. Sometimes they are eager to get started and other times, they need a bit to warm up. We want this to be fun and celebratory for them as well, as being a new big brother or sister is a big deal and a big transition!

Often for the family photos we will use elements of the home, a family bed, or snuggling on the couch, or simply standing near a window.

How to prepare for your home for your session.

A warm home makes for a very sleepy baby. I recommend 74 degrees.

White noise or music if you preferis helpful to minimize startling the baby.

Please turn off overhead lights, and raise blinds so I can quickly access the

best light for me to set up in.

Please do not spend any time or energy cleaning or straightening up your home for my arrival. Your energy and time is better spent snuggling your baby or resting. If we do photos that include parts of your home I can easily straighten up a coffee table that may be in the frame for example.

How to prepare your baby for your session.

Warm home

Full belly upon my arrival

Before begin that final feeding, please bring baby down to it's diaper and wrap him or her up in blankets to keep cozy and warm.

Please have a pacifier handy if using one.

Your baby will likey want to eat a bit more then usual during the session, and this is generally due to the stimulation that the session causes and will help lull your baby back to sleep.

While a sleepy baby is easier to pose, if your little one is wakeful during the session, we will transition to swaddled images, and embrace capturing their expressions and eye contact, which is so beautiful!

What to wear for your session

I love very neutral, and simple clothing for family styling in newborn sessions. Ivory, grey, blush tones, pale blues all work nicely. The simpler the better.

And mostly, thank you for allowing me to capture this time for you.

-Jessica