New babies are so exciting! New tiny clothes, a room to decorate, names to pick out and the baby photos. Gone are the baby mug shots of our days. Now beautiful newborn photos of those squishy little yummy babies, can double as fine art welcoming them to the world.
Photographers that specialize in newborn photography spend countless hours practicing baby safety and learning how to baby whisper. I shadowed the best, posed newborn photographer in the Dayton Area, Lauren Worman of Ivory Lamb Photography, and asked some of my photog friends for advice and tips for mom and dad on what to expect.
Tip 1: Know what type of session or style you’re looking for.
There are 2 basic styles: Posed and Photojournalism or Fresh 48’s.
Posed are the dreaming babies curled up with a crown on, props and more formal. Photojournalism, is more documenting nursery/hospital room details and candid moments of the baby and family. I LOVE doing Fresh 48 Sessions (48 because they are typically done within the first 48 hrs after baby is born)! Mom, dad, baby and a few special baby items is all I use – keeping to my photojournalism roots. However, when a client would love to have posed dreamy baby shots, I pass them to Lauren to do her magic.
Tip 2: Choose your TYPE of photographer.
You want to pick a photographer that’s comfortable shooting what you’re looking for. It’s always best practice when finding a photographer; ESPECIALLY with newborn photography. If you look at someone’s work and the baby looks unsafe or miserable, they may be. Not always the case. I’ll show you more on that.
Tip 3: Make an appointment!
So you’ve picked out what style you want and picked some photographers, now what? Call and book early!! Newborn photographers only take so many babies a month to avoid overbooking. Lauren likes to book your date a week after you are due to hold your place. If baby comes early or late, there is space to move you around. Just remember to put her on your “to call” list for when baby is born! If you booked a Fresh 48 Session, I work about the same way. However, I book your actual due date. 
When you are in labor or if you know you’re getting induced, let me know. Squishy baby photos, call when the baby is born. Brand new baby photos (or birth photos), try to call if you’re calling the doc.
Tip 4: When to book.
How soon after baby is born should I expect my sessions? Lauren says, ideally for posed sessions baby should be 5-10 days olds. Babies are much more sleepy, easy to pose (their cartilage has not completely hardened into bone yet), and often times, this time frame is before baby acne or other skin conditions present themselves.
If you are doing a Fresh 48, the earlier the better. Babies get discharged so quickly sometimes, a home Fresh 72-ish is always possible
Tip 5: Prep for the day.
You booked a posed session, and don’t know what to expect. ( Advice from..Lauren, myself , JB Photography, Debi Tatman of Children’s Garden in Mason, Fawn Stith Photography and Sara Smile Photography as well!)
- Try not to wait until baby is 2+ weeks old to book. There are exceptions of course, but earlier is really better!
- If we’re doing the session at your home, turn the heat up enough to make the house cozy about an hour before the session.
- Bring food. Whether nursing, pumping, or formula feeding, make sure baby has some for during the session.
- Feed baby just before you leave house. A full belly and car ride makes for a sleepy baby. Try to keep baby up as much before that car ride ideally. But don’t stress.
- Wear layers and breathable clothes! The room is kept pretty warm to keep baby cozy. I am not a hormonal post-birth mom and I sweat like a pig in the Caribbean on a hot day!
- Plan on the session lasting a few hours for posed shots. It’s not that the baby will be photographed for 2 hrs straight. There are feeding breaks, prop changes, baby rocking, swaddling…all the fun stuff. Plus, most poses take 5-15 mins to do.
- Fresh 48’s and photojournalistic style sessions go a little faster. Figure about an hour per baby; 45 mins if you’re still in the hospital.
- Expect to help. Babies move unexpectedly. An extra hand helps keep them safe. A lot of the poses you see are composites. You may have to hold babies head or hands so the images can be created in Photoshop later. Plus it is fun to be a part of your little one’s session!
- Lastly, DON’T STRESS!! Baby may cry and fuss a little. When you stress they can sense it and can’t relax. If you have picked a photographer that is a master of their newborn craft, you have nothing to worry about. They are in great hands!
