How to Prepare for Your Newborn Session

Thank you so much for booking a newborn session with MSP!

Below you will find information on what to bring for your session, how to prepare, and what to wear.

I. WHAT TO BRING

Megan Shaw Photography has a variety of props to enhance your baby’s first photography session.

Please do not worry about bringing any props.

Please bring plenty of diapers, baby wipes, bottles of breast milk and/or formula for the session. In order to get those curly, cuddly poses, your baby(s) will need to be full and sleepy. If your baby tends to be a bit gassy and gets fussy from this gas, please also bring along the gas drops you prefer to use (or gripe water).

You will also need to bring the pacifier, one that is not connected to a stuffed animal or pacifier clip. The smaller, the better. Even if you haven’t used one, just for the 2-3 hours that i’m posing your baby usually really helps.

If you don’t happen to have one, I keep unopened soothies in my studio.

However, if you really prefer we don’t use one, that is fine as well.

FOOD/WATER: 

If you happen to get hungry/thirsty during the newborn session, I advise you either bring that along with you. Or please note that my studio is located inside the Casey Jones Village, right next door to Brook Shaw’s Old Country Store restaurant, where you are also able to buy cold drinks, snacks, or plate lunches.

II. WHAT TO EXPECT

FOR THE BABY: 

Before the shoot, please feed your baby 2-3 hours prior, and plan on feeding him/her as soon as you get to my studio.

Also, please do not let your baby sleep beforehand (at least 2-3 hours before). Instead, try giving your baby a bath, let them kick with only a diaper, tickle their toes, or even let them fuss/cry for a little bit (with no pacifiers) for the few hours beforehand. This will ensure those squishy, sleepy newborn pictures.

I CANNOT stress that it is so important to do your best to keep your baby awake before the session. Many parents come in saying “baby has been sleeping all morning, but trust me, he/she sleeps SO good this time of day!” only to have baby wake up, since they will be unclothed and unswaddled. Dress your baby in loose clothing to avoid any lines on their skin – a simple sleeper. Avoid onesies or anything else that must be pulled off over the baby’s head.

MSP STUDIO: 

It will be at least 80 degrees in the studio. Due to this, I come dressed for a warm few hours and suggest you do too! Sessions last between 2-3 hours, sometimes longer if a baby is a light sleeper, or is hungry! Twin newborn sessions take between 3-4 hours.

The easiest way to ensure a sleepy baby is the willingness to nurse/bottle feed off and on. If you are doing a twin newborn session, I ask that you please bring bottles of formula/pumped breast milk so we can speed up the feeding process a bit.

FAMILY PHOTOS/SIBLINGS/DAD

FAMILY PHOTOS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION:

Family portraits will take place before your baby’s solo photos. They typically take around 30-45 minutes max. Please make sure you, your Husband, and siblings are dressed and ready to go when you arrive to my studio. Once your family arrives, we will let your baby eat a full feeding.

Then MSP will wrap your baby up and we will begin the family photos. Once we are done with the family photos, your Husband and kids are welcome to leave and go home and/or go out to run errands, see a movie, etc. This is recommended so that the studio stays calm and quiet so that your baby will sleep well and so that I can focus fully on your baby’s solo photos.

III. WHAT TO WEAR

Mom and Dad, you are a big part of the show. Photographing the connection between you and your baby is one of my all time favorite things.Your family photos will take place all-white bed setup in our studio. I encourage your family to wear simple colors. Earth tones, creams, grey, soft pastels, etc. are typically my personal favorite (as it doesn’t show as much lint or dirt in pictures). Please avoid any bright, neon colors as they are very loud for newborn photography and cast colors on faces/skin.

Dad’s are encouraged to wear a button up, plain t-shirt, or crew neck shirt. Mom’s, I suggest you wear either a loose fitting tank top, t-shirt, dress, or a pretty blouse. If you wear a dress, please make sure that it is a longer dress cause you will be sitting in the photos. I just ask that you please keep the color neutral and design simple. Also Mom’s, be sure that you have no nail polish as your hands might make their way into the images. Also, rest assured, I am to photograph using flattering angles and light to bring out the natural beauty in your family.

Please feel free to bring these clothes and change into them right before the family shots since the studio will be kept warm or in case of accidents.

For siblings, I ask that they also wear neutral outfits as well. I ask that girls hair to be natural (or in braids) and free of big bows, headbands, etc. And just as with Mom, no nail polish please. A snug pair of jeans for your little boy and casual top are preferred. The simpler, the better.

IV.  NEWBORN SESSION FAQs

Q: Is it okay if the baby sleeps most of the time? 

A: YES!! MSP loves sleepy, snuggly babies. They are very easy to pose in adorable ways when sleeping.

Q. How long does it take to get the photos back and how many do I get back? 

A. Newborn galleries take 4 weeks and this is MSP’s typical turn around time. This time is also stated in the newborn contract that you signed when booking.

You will be emailed your gallery via a digital link with access to a print release once they are ready. The editing process takes time cause MSP will review all the images and make very careful edits to every single photo you receive. Most newborn galleries are around 60-90 edited images.

Q. What kind of clothing does my baby need to wear?

A. Unless you have a favorite outfit that is important to you, babies photography best when naked, wrapped in soft blankets, or  posed with cute props.

Q. Can other family members come along to observe the session?

A. MSP prefers only the parents to attend the newborn photography session for several reasons. The newborn session is a lengthier session, as extra time is needed to accommodate feeding, changing, and occasionally calming a fussy baby. Older children are often bored while waiting for the newborn session and unless they will be included in family photographs at the end of the session, it is better for them to remain at home.

TESTIMONIALS: 

“Megan Shaw Photography is everything you are looking for in a newborn photographer and more! She is professional beyond belief and never once made me feel like my baby wasn’t safe as she would position her in the different adorable poses. We had a longer than expected stay in the hospital and she worked with me to make sure we got the pictures in a reasonable amount of time once we were discharged. I can’t wait to work with her again!”

-Shelby Blackwelder

“There are no words to explain how amazing Megan Shaw Photography truly is. Tyler and I were unsure of who we really wanted to choose to have our little boy’s memories captured, as this was such an important decision for us. We reviewed some of MSP’s work and were sure that she was going to be exactly what we were looking for, however we never realized just how perfect her images would be. Megan was so sweet and patient with our little one and truly involved us in every step ensuring his safety during prop use, informing us of every position she changed him to, etc. Our images have brought so much joy to ourselves and family already and we cannot wait to continue our milestone journey with her as our photographer.”

-Courtney Harber

“Megan took our little girls newborn pictures and they are wonderful!! Definitely worth the time and money. Megan is a caring, sweet and patient photographer – even when our baby was really fussy and used the bathroom on her .” -Shelby Dial