How can I plan for my newborn photos before my baby arrives? | Spokane Newborn Photographer
Book a photographer. The first step in planning is always choosing your photographer. I have many blog posts filled with tips on how to choose the best newborn and family photographer for your family, so feel free to read through those for more help. Once you have chosen a photographer whose style that you love and who is available to take on your newborn session, work with that photographer to learn their process for booking. Usually it means signing a contracting and paying the retainer for a space on the calendar, then you reach out when your baby arrives to schedule a date for pictures. Every photographer works differently, but that’s my personal process.
Plan your outfits. The next step would be to choose your families outfits. I also have many posts on this, so I’ll keep it short here. Choose outfits that are comfortable, cute and casual. In early postpartum, you may not feel like getting very dressed up. I also have to mention this, because many first time moms do not know, you may still look pregnant after your baby is born, so don't toss out those maternity jeans just yet. I typically recommend leggings and a cardigan, jeans and a t-shirt, cute nursing bralettes. You’ll want to look cozy and comfortable like you just had a baby, but stylish enough that your’e not in your Walmart men’s sweats. Be you and be natural.
Plan your baby’s outfit. Plan an outfit for your baby. I recommend a simple, fitted onesie (usually in white or a neutral color). These are easy to have on hand and you know they’ll fit your baby. I always feel so bad when parents buy a special outfit for newborn pictures and it just doesn’t fit right, because baby was smaller than expected. Buy the back up, cheap, 3pack of premie onesies, I promise you won't regret it.
Purchase swaddles. I always recommend having a couple of neutral colored muslin swaddles handy for pictures. Whether you agree with swaddling your baby or not, they are handy for pictures, because they tame down the morrow reflex so I can capture cute headshots of your little bean. I never tightly wrap babies in swaddles and they aren’t usually wrapped for more than 5 minutes. I’ll even let you do the swaddling if you’d prefer that. Swaddles also make great burp rags for spit up when it happens.
Plan a dinner. Have a plan for your lunch/dinner on picture day. Throw something in the crock pot, pull something out of the oven, have your grandma plan to stop by with casserole. Whatever you need to do, but it’s a good idea to have a food plan ready, because eating during postpartum is important and I want it on your mind before picture day rolls around.
Plan for pets. Have a plan for your pets. Do you want them in your pictures? Do you need to board them for the day? Is there a place they can hang out while I’m at your house? Pets can have a hard time with the arrival with new babies, I recommend planning ahead for what you’ll do with your pets during our in-home newborn photo session.
Buy new sheets. I learned this trick from my midwife. Put your pretty new set of sheets on your mattress, then a waterproof mattress protector, then another set of sheets on top to use when you come home with baby. On picture day, strip the top set and the mattress protector to reveal the clean, new, ready for picture sheets on the bottom. I recommend neutral colors with minimal patterns for this set of sheets. I often work in my clients bedrooms so a fresh set of bedding is helpful. Babies come with messes, often on your bed.
Clear clutter. If your baby hasn’t arrived yet, you’re likely getting into nesting mode. One thing that can elevate pictures within the home is eliminating clutter. So if you have time and energy, remove or clear clutter that isn’t baby related. The baby related stuff can stay where it is, because you’re going to need it.
