Preparing for your newborn session in Boston

You are expecting and planning for your newborn session does not need to be stressful. When your baby arrives, you don’t want to get things done then, trust me, you won’t have the head space or the time. You want to plan things now, so when your baby is here, all you need to worry about, is your baby.

When to book your session

Babies are most sleepy and flexible during their first two weeks of life. When you are expecting you schedule the newborn session around your due date. Once baby is born, you call your photographer right away and schedule your session.

If my clients want posed portraits of their baby, I always encourage them to schedule their newborn session on their second week of life. I don’t recommend on their first week, because this is a tricky time. Your milk supply is still being established, or your formula schedule is still wonky. They are getting used to you, and you’re getting used to them. Babies need time to bond and we don’t want to break any of their routine so early on. You will feel that on the second week, you feel better, more energized, and your baby is more comfortable with the feeding/sleep schedule. This is the golden window for your newborn session. The goal is for them to sleep throughout their session and be able to pose comfortably. When baby is calm and sleepy, the newborn session is a breeze.

If you want more lifestyle portraits, with your baby awake. Then you can wait a little longer and schedule your session when baby is around 14-21 days old, on their third week.

What to do before session?

You don’t want to change the routine, or need to do anything different before your session. I don’t recommend having the baby awake before session so they can sleep in the session. This doesn’t always work and can make baby very cranky. We want your baby relaxed and happy. Maybe a nice warm bath before session can help but is not mandatory. I know you have a lot on your plate and I don’t want to add one more thing. Your goal is to get baby and yourself, family out of the house and into the studio, nothing else is needed.

What to bring?

I ask clients to bring enough feeds, bottle with formula/breastmilk, or be ready to breastfeed more often. Babies are stimulated more than usual during a newborn session, and feeding is what your baby uses to soothe themselves. I allow for a lot of cuddle and feeding time, nothing is rushed.

A diaper bag with enough diapers, feeds, and a pacifier. A pacifier helps to soothe baby when posing, however, if you are not comfortable letting your baby use one, no worries. We will be just fine without one.

Do you have an heirloom something we could incorporate into the session? Maybe a baby blanket that was passed dow, a teddy bear, a head piece? If so, let’s use them. It will make the portraits so much more meaningful.

Plan to be photographed with your baby

My newborn sessions are baby-led and family focused, meaning I will encourage you to be photographed with your baby. I know you might not feel your best yet, but trust me, these will be portraits you will love for many years to come. If you don’t want full portraits with the baby, then portraits where we place parents hands is very special as well.

A clean hair, nice makeup will help you feel good. You can wear one of the dresses in the client closet and pose with your little one. Same thing goes for dad and any siblings.

Don’t plan anything else before or after session

Please don’t schedule pediatrician appointments, or anything else before or after your session. You need to carve out time since newborn sessions can take up to 3 hours. Your baby will be too stimulated if she needs to see a doctor before her session, and afterwards, it’s just too much for your little one.

Our goal is for your session to be as calm as possible, and your baby needs to be relaxed and calm. In order to achieve this, your session is the only thing you have planned for the day.

To help you prep for your upcoming session, please download my simple newborn session prep guide below.

Alright, you are ready for your session! I can’t wait to meet your little one!

Much love,

Ana Pavesi