Congratulations on the new addition to your family!

I'm sure you want to capture this special time in your little one's life!

In this post you will learn everything you need to know about newborn photo sessions

with Huckleberry Photography

When to schedule a newborn photoshoot

It's a good idea to communicate with your photographer of choice long before you even give birth to your new baby! At Huckleberry Photo, you can book a newborn session without setting a specific date. Just let me know when your due date is and then keep me updated on any plans for birth! Babies, of course, are unpredictable, so I try to be as flexible as possible when it comes to scheduling your newborn session.

It's recommended to do a newborn photoshoot within the first 2 weeks after baby is born. Of course, we can still schedule a newborn session after that, but babies are still nice & sleepy in those first few weeks of life! If you decide to wait to get photos done, you baby might be wide awake during their session, so no sleepy baby pics. (And that's okay!)

In general, communication is key, so be sure to keep in touch!

What to expect from your newborn session

I'm so excited to capture these precious memories for you!

Here at Huckleberry Photography, I offer 2 types of newborn sessions:

Lifestyle & Posed

Lifestyle sessions are more natural and capture your family with an authentic, photojournalistic approach.

This is a great option if you'd like to include other family members in the photos or want more candid-looking photos.

Posed sessions may include the use of props, backdrops, and strategic posing of baby for ultimate cuteness!

I have an ever-growing collection of props, backdrops, & outfits for you to choose from

Learn more about Lifestyle vs. Posed sessions here:

How can you prepare baby for their newborn session?

My goal is to make sure that your baby is as comfortable as possible during their session!

There are a few things that you can do to prepare them for the session before I even arrive.

Nobody likes being hungry!

Hungry babies are grumpy! (Let's face it - I get hangry too.) The best way to ensure that your baby is happy during our session is to feed them a nice big bottle right before the session starts! They should be nice and sleepy after they've had a full meal, and that will make them very easy to work with. Don't forget to burp them too - nobody likes spit-up!

Clean diapers are a must

Nobody is happy with a wet butt. Change baby's diaper right before the session so they're as comfortable as possible!

Make sure they're photo-ready

Obviously, we want baby looking their best for their photo-op! Give them a nice grooming - clean their hair & face, trim their nails, and remove any band-aids they may have.

How can you prepare your home for a newborn session?

As you know, all of my newborn sessions take place in the comfort of your own home.

But what can you do to ensure that your home is ready for a photoshoot?

Don't worry too much about the mess

First of all - don't get too caught up on having a squeaky clean house for the session. Babies bring chaos and messes, and that's fine! We can always move things around and rearrange a bit if we need to. If you feel compelled to clean up, I would just stick to a general de-cluttering and not a super deep clean! No need to stress yourself out unnecessarily. (And, let's face it, you're probably exhausted already!)

Keep it nice & toasty

Newborns can't regulate their body temperatures very well, so it's important to keep the space warm enough for them. Crank the thermostat up a bit in preparation for the session. Baby will be much more comfortable and cooperative if they're not cold. Especially if we're doing outfit changes or nakey baby photos!

Set the mood

Get baby in the right mood by playing some sounds that they like to hear! Babies love the sound of white noise - that's probably what everything sounded like while they were in the womb! Playing some relaxing sounds like white noise or soft lullaby music can help to relax baby and also drown out any other startling noises that may occur.

How can you prepare yourself and your family for a newborn session?

Interested in getting the rest of the fam in some pics? That's awesome! Here are some things to keep in mind:

Wardrobe

Try to select complimenting outfits for the family. Avoid being ultra match-matchy - select colors & textures that compliment each other. No bright or distracting colors or patterns, as they can take away from the true focal point of the images. Try to avoid large brand names & logos on clothes. Above all, make sure everyone is comfortable and wearing clothes that express their authentic style!

Grooming

Of course, you want to look your best for your photos! Make sure everyone is nicely groomed and clean for the session. Something you might forget about is the condition of your hands. I often like to incorporate parents' hands in newborn photos to emphasize the connection between parents & baby. Make sure your hands are clean and moisturized before the session, and maybe opt for getting a natural manicure. This includes dad as well!

Have fun!

Getting family photos should always be a fun activity! Don't stress out too much. Especially when dealing with kids, it's important to be positive and encouraging! I opt for a more natural approach, and I try to capture your family looking candid and authentic. So don't worry if the kids don't want to sit still and say cheese - I'd much rather photograph them in a genuine interaction instead.

What do you need for a newborn session?

Here are some things that you might want to set aside for use during your newborn session!

Swaddles

I love swaddles. Babies are so comfortable when they're all wrapped up, and they look darn cute when they're in burrito mode! If you have any swaddles you'd like to use during your session, set them aside! My favorite types of swaddles are the super soft & stretchy ones.

Outfits

Got a cute outfit that you wanna put baby in? Have it set aside & ready to go! Make sure it's the correct size. Babies tend to get fussy when you try to change their outfit, so I would stick with 1 or 2 super cute fits.

Accessories

Who doesn't love a cute hat or bow?! Got some adorable booties? Set those puppies aside and we'll be sure to incorporate them! I personally love the hats that have a long pointy top or little ears on them! Oversized bows can really emphasize how teeny tiny baby girl is. I like to take some photos with a hat/bow and some without for some good variety.

A Blankie

Great for use as a backdrop or to swaddle baby up! You might have a blankie that was hand-made by someone special, and I'm sure they would love to see that in photos!

Props & Signs

Letterboards, custom wooden signs, tiny stuffed animals, etc. are a fun way to spice up your session! There are tons of options online for custom signs and cute newborn props! I also love to incorporate sentimental items in photos. For example, a special stuffed animal, a hand-me-down toy, something that belonged to a special family member, something hand-made for baby. This is where you can really get creative and showcase things that are unique to your family!

Pacifiers & Bottles

Keeping baby relaxed and comfortable makes the session much more successful. If you're using a pacifier - make sure to have one handy in case baby gets fussy! Pop that thing in for a minute and hopefully they'll fall right asleep, allowing me to quickly pull it back out and grab a few shots. It's also a good idea to have an extra bottle ready in case the pacifier doesn't do the trick.

Don't be shy!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your newborn session, please don't hesitate to reach out! Communication is key! My goal is to create images that accurately represent your family in the most authentic way possible. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know!

Feel free to reach out any time!