ME​RCER MEDIA

PHOTOGRAPH​Y

Congratulations to you! Thank you for allowing me the amazing and rewarding job of photographing your new baby in his/her first few days of life. I am truly honored to be able to capture this incredible time in your lives and look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby!

This newborn session guide will help you prepare for your newborn session.

When Do I Schedule?

The sooner the better. The ideal time is during your second trimester, but I know being a mom myself sometimes we forget to do those things and that's ok.  Once you contact me, I will mark your due date in my calendar just to give me a general idea. Once the baby has arrived just reach out to me and I will get you scheduled in the next 7-10 days. While I do encourage booking early, I am always happy to accommodate last minute newborn sessions if my schedule allows. 

Why is it so important to schedule in the first two weeks? 

After the first two weeks, it’s almost impossible to get baby into that deep sleep that came so easily in their first few days and weeks. So it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to get them into any of the more sleepy newborn poses. 

Somewhere after the first few weeks they start staying awake longer they discover the joy of stretching! Once that happens…they’re not about to let us get them into those sweet poses or wraps without a fight. It can be done, just takes a little more time.  We’ll be moving them around and wrapping and unwrapping them , so we want to make sure they’re sleepy enough to allow us to do so without waking them up. Your baby staying asleep is our goal for your session. 

 

What Can You Do To Help?

 

 Most of the images that I will be trying to capture work best if the baby is in a deep sleep. To encourage this, you could try a bath time, interacting with the little one an hour or two before your session to ensure he/she is is good and sleepy for the session. Please arrive at your session with baby in a button/zipper-down sleeper and loose diaper to avoid any lines on baby skin . Try to avoid the sleepers you have to pull over their heads. As this allows for a smoother transition. I also tell my parents to lotion the baby up to help with the dry skin.  

Please make sure your little one has a full belly for the session. Please feed baby just before you leave for the studio. Full baby means happy baby. Once they wake up they usually have a hard time falling back asleep, especially being in a new place with new smells. Please bring extra bottles, bring more than you think you may need. Babies tend to work up work up an appetite during their session. Also a pacifier works wonders in those in between times. 

 We’ll also be more than happy to take as many breaks as needed to help him/her re-fuel. It’s tough work being a model!

 

Siblings

 If you have children and would like them to be included in some photos and feel like it might be too much for them to stay for the whole session, we recommend bringing them in at the beginning or end of a session and then having someone take them. If you decide to do so just let me know so I can plan accordingly. Young children do not have long attention spans. Sometimes Newborn sessions are just too much for them and we understand. Only those being photographed should be present to help maintain noise control. We recommend bringing no more than yourself, your spouse/partner and children. Lots of people in the studio make for somewhat challenging creative conditions in our cozy space!

 

PATIENCE, PATIENCE AND PATIENCE!

Newborn sessions can last anywhere from 2-3 hours. It all depends on baby’s mood and willingness to sleep. Unfortunately…this isn’t something we can predict! We ask that everyone remain calm, should he/she not want to sleep, since your baby will pick up on any frustration in the room. TRUST me when I tell you that if the baby gets fussy it does NOT upset me, so don't let it upset you. This is one of those things we can't foresee.  And if sleep doesn’t happen, that’s okay! Wide-eyed newborn photos are beautiful too. 

 

What Do I Need To Wear?

Be prepared for messes of all kinds. Babies do not care where, when and who they pee, poo, or spit up on. That is why I will be dressed in comfy sweats as I work and why you (if you want to be in the photos with your newborn) would want to bring an extra set of clothing. I suggest black T-shirt shirt for dad. Mom can wear black shirt or something neutral. But black is very flattering. Just remember to try on before hand to make sure you are pleased. Also make sure parents nails are clean and trimmed because we will be getting close up images of your hands.  

 

      Do I need to bring anything?

 

Also if you have any special request of colors of wraps, hats,  props or if you are bringing anything to your session I  need know prior to your session please. THIS IS A MUST!!! If you have something that is truly special to you of course I want to include it. I just need time to prepare as to what part of the session I can work it in at. I plan your session out sometimes weeks and days ahead of time. If you bring something in we didn't discuss we may not be able to use it. I try to incorporate your item with the best backgrounds, props  etc.  Also don't feel the need to bring anything most parents don't I have everything thing you need from wraps, headbands, bonnets, props.   

 

Safety is the most IMPORTANT factor at your session. 

 

Because I do not work with an assistant, mom or dad may need to help me for some poses. I know you may have seen some adorable images that I have posted or on Pinterest. But some of those poses require your baby to be very sleepy to get them in those poses. I will not risk your baby's safety over a pose. Thank you again for choosing Mercer Media Photography!