I’m so excited to meet your newest addition!
Please read up on these helpful tips for your baby’s newborn session:
Try finishing up a (big) feeding as close to the session start time as possible so baby is full and sleepy. However, if we have to stop for additional nursing/bottle breaks during shooting that’s totally normal and expected.
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Try to keep your baby awake in the one to two hours leading up to the shoot to increase our chances of having a sleepy baby for those sweet, sleepy newborn photographs.
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Pull together anything you might want to include, such as a special blanket or a hat or headband (newborn sizes only, please). However, providing things of your own is totally optional and not required. I’ll bring a variety of swaddles, headbands (for girls), hats and blankets, so if you don’t have anything specific that you want to use, that is totally okay and very common!
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Even newborn sized clothing is often very large on actual newborns and tends to cover their face/chin when being held. New babies photograph much better in simple swaddles and blankets. If you have a special outfit that is a family heirloom, or something handmade by grandma, or just something you really, really have your heart set on, by all means, we can certainly grab a few images, but please plan on the vast majority (if not all) of your images to be in swaddles (mine or yours).
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Plan to be in pictures! Even if you don’t think you want to be now, you won’t regret it later. Plus, a clean outfit and a little makeup will allow us to have your baby happily in your arms if that’s the only place he/she wants to be. Neutrals and soft/pale colors work best to avoid color casts on to the baby in your arms. Working in texture or small, simple patterns is also recommended. I also prefer bare feet on everyone when when at home. It looks the most natural (and you don’t have to worry about picking out shoes! Ha).
Additional information on wardrobe and styling can be found here: https://marissa-moss.com/whattowear/
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Do not worry if your house is a mess. You JUST had a baby! You probably have dishes in the sink, baby things all over the living room and dirty clothes piled up. We will work around everything or clean off areas as needed. I do often love taking family photos on mom and dad’s bed, so try to make your bed if you have time. If not, and if we want to use it, I will gladly help you make it on the fly. I also love shooting in the nursery.
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Your smell is so recognizable to your baby that sometimes they just don’t seem to want to settle down with you in the room. Instead of thinking sleepy thoughts, sometimes their nose is only asking “where is my milk!?” … Even if your baby is sleeping peacefully, you are always welcome to use the time I am taking your baby’s individual and detail portraits to step out of the room. Catch up on an email or a phone call, finish getting yourself ready for your pictures, or even take a rest. If the baby (or I) need you, I will come and get you right away.
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And lastly, relax! Some babies are more cooperative during their session than others, and either way it’s totally fine. Newborn sessions usually last around 1-1/2 hours to 2 hours, with sleepy, “easy” babies going quickly, and alert, “feisty” babies taking a longer, but I do not mind that one bit. Don’t feel stressed or worried or guilty or anxious about if your baby is cooperating or not! I am totally content to rock your baby as long as he/she wants, or check in on my own email if your baby needs to be fed again (and again… and again…), more than you think they could possibly fit in their teeny tiny tummy. They are brand new little people and they are unpredictable and wonderful and surprising and I am happy to play by their rules during their session.
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Please let me know if you have any questions about any of this and I cannot wait to see you all soon!
