What to Expect + Tips for your Newborn Portrait Session with Crabapple Photography
Looking forward to capturing these portraits for you! Directions to the studio are at the very bottom of the page. Please note the studio is down the driveway behind my house, not in the actual house itself.
SCHEDULING
Newborn photos are best taken within a couple weeks of birth. Text me at (617) 918-7149 or email me at kate@crabapplephotography.com as soon as baby is born, and we’ll figure out a date that works for you within about a 6-18 day window from birth. All newborn sessions take place at the studio, during the week.
SIBLINGS
The studio is very small and the environment should be peaceful and calm. I try to get any sibling shots first, including any family photos. It gets real boring, real fast for them after that! Generally one of the parents, or another family member will take the sibling out of the studio, either going home or out for a ride, or to get something to eat. If that’s not possible, and I know it’s not always possible, feel free to bring anything you’d like to keep them occupied so we can continue on with the newborn session without the baby being disrupted from their cozy sleep.
What to bring for Sibling:
– Clothing for sibling: Neutral and simple is best. Nothing with a collar as I tend to photograph toddler siblings laying down and a collar will get in the way. A simple, snug fitting tee shirt (it will be warm in studio!).
– Feel free to bring any snacks or “bribing” tools you may have up your sleeve!
PREPPING FOR THE SESSION
First, know that you’re in great (and experienced) hands. I absolutely love newborns and have photographed hundreds of them! Here is what I have found to lead to the most successful session:
1. If you are nursing, for the 24 hours preceding the session, avoid eating anything that might upset baby’s tummy. This includes spicy food (i.e. pizza, hot sauce, etc) or things like broccoli that will make baby gassy, or drinking coffee or caffeinated drinks.
2. Bring a few extra diapers and a pacifier for the baby. If you can, bring the one the hospital sent you home with. It’s the bendable (green/blue/orangish) one as it won’t leave marks on the face. I ask that you bring extra bottles of pumped milk and / or formula for your session, even if your child does not typically use them. It is important that I have access to various soothing options to make sure your session runs smoothly. Please let me know prior to your session if your child has any special needs such as reflux, colic or fussiness so I can accommodate accordingly.
3. I can’t stress this enough: please keep the baby awake for a couple of hours before your session. Without this critical step, we end up spending too much time getting them to sleep and not as much time photographing them.Try giving the baby a bath, let him kick naked, tickle his toes, and even let him fuss for a little bit (no pacifiers). This will ensure those squishy, sleepy newborn photos!
4. It will be warm (about 80 degrees) in the studio to keep your baby warm while in their birthday suit! Come dressed for the heat, I will be!
5. A full belly is a sure way to ensure the baby is sleepy. The baby should be fed as much as possible in the 12 hours that precede the session. This is especially true for breastfed babies. Feeding the baby an extra time or two (yes, I know it lasts 40 minutes!) will help tremendously. If you are already supplementing, the feeding just before the session is the one to do this for. After you have kept baby awake and given them a good feeding, allow baby to fall asleep in the car on the way to the studio. This will put baby into a deep sleep so they are ready to go when you arrive.
6. Bring a change of clothes for yourself (including underwear) as naked babies tend to go the bathroom! It happens often. For what to wear for your family photos if you’d like to take some, simple is best. Everyone in white or everyone in black or gray (try to stay away from two extremes, like one in white and one in black), or any neutral color. (Keep in mind if it’s your personality to always be wearing bright colors, that is certainly fine). Soft fabrics, like cotton are preferable over stiffer fabrics, like button down shirts.
7. Please feed the baby before you drive to the studio. This way, when you arrive, baby is ready to go. If we need to stop for baby to grab a “snack” that is certainly fine and expected. Especially if you are driving more than 45 minutes.
8. Dress the baby in loose fitting clothes to avoid any lines on skin. A simple button or zipper up sleeper is best. Its best if I don’t have to take off clothes up and over the baby’s head.
9. When you arrive, I will change the baby into a cloth diaper so any diaper marks can start to disappear, and wrap in a blanket while we go over the plan of what we’ll be doing.
10. Newborn sessions can be 2 hours long. You are welcome to rest and relax during your baby’s very first photo shoot! It’s important to stay patient. If the baby gets fussy or alert, don’t stress out. A baby can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. We will try and get the baby comfortable again, but if that just doesn’t seem possible, we’ll take a break or we’ll work with what the baby is giving us. Sometimes the best pictures are ones when the baby isn’t doing what we want.
11. Be assured that if there is ever a point where you’re uncomfortable with the poses, simply let me know. I only want to do poses and shots that you are comfortable with.
12. A note on diaper rashes: they are uncomfortable for the baby and come on fast and furious so try to be on the lookout for them. Here are some ways to avoid them: change diapers often, rinse baby’s bottom with warm water as part of each diaper change, gently pat the skin with a clean towel or let air dry. Giving the baby plenty of diaper free time (10 minutes here and there) is what I have found to be the most effective way as it gives the skin a chance to dry out.
DIRECTIONS (Studio located down the driveway, behind the house)
54 Quincy St
Medford, MA 02155
I’ve had a couple of clients end up in Malden when they put my address into their map program. Apparently if you don’t put the zip code (02155) it sends you to the wrong town (I’m located near Tufts University, not the Fellsway).
The street is a one way, the house is 6th on the right, a brown house. You can park anywhere on the street. *** When you are facing the house and look to the left of it, there is a driveway. Directly at the end of the driveway is the studio- you’ll see the double French doors. Come straight on back to the studio. My cell is 617-771-4496 in case you need anything. ****
Hopefully that gives you an idea of what to expect, let me know if you have any questions or concerns at all 🙂
Best,
Kate
(617) 918-7149
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