Newborn FAQS

Newborn Baby Photography Common Questions and Answers

newborn photography faqs

Frequently Asked Questions about my Newborn Photography

When should I book a newborn shoot?

I’m strict about trying to get some newborn photos taken in a babies first ten days. I only book a certain number of newborn shoots per month. I suggest booking a newborn shoot in for around 14 days after your due date. Once you are booked in if baby doesn’t arrive on time (apparently only about 7% of babies are born on the due date) you can get in touch with me and I can move around some of my allocated editing time to fit you in on an alternative date. I like to try and photograph newborns in their first 10 days – this is the best time photographically speaking to capture them asleep and curled up, after two weeks statistically they are more likely to sleep less and sleep less soundly.

Once you are booked in simply get in touch with me the day after your baby arrives. Alternatively if baby hasn’t arrived a few days before this provisionally booking get in touch so we can decide whether to keep that date or reschedule.

Do we need to prepare anything at home?

Don’t worry too much if your home is messy!!!! Most of my newborn baby photos are taken using a very small amount of space. For wider shots, such as the baby’s nursery, I’ll help you rearrange furniture (if necessary) to minimise visual clutter.

I’d suggest that I’d like to take some sleeping shots which work best with your baby nude or just in nappies and it’s best if they are nice and snuggly – so I’d suggest if suitable that you tend the heating up a fraction. I tend to say if you feel hot that’s about right (21 degrees). I have a portable heater that I’ll probably use to make an area particularly toasty.

What rooms will you use?

I’ll have a tour and decide when I arrive. That’s one of the really lovely things about working in people’s homes is the different qualities of light – and of course the time of the day and the weather all play a part. So when I arrive, I’ll first have a quick tour of your home to decide which rooms will work best. We’ll only need a small space, ideally I’ll look to work in different rooms to get different backgrounds and looks to your pictures, and depending on the weather we may be able to do a combination of indoor and outdoor photographs.

When should I plan to feed my baby?

I’d suggest not doing anything different from normal. We can break for feeding breaks whenever required. Your baby will be hopefully more settled this way.

Don’t necessarily have a big feed planned to finish the moment I’m due to arrive. When I arrive I have a look around and and we’ll together decide on a rough plan with some options depending on how your baby feels on the day. I’ll then do a bit of setup. With this in mind it will be 20 mins before I start shooting. The whole shoot will be led by your new baby. It’s pretty likely we’ll have some unsettled time, some sleeping time and some feeding time – I / we’ll just roll with it. I’m of course happy for you to nurse your baby in private or while we have a cuppa – don’t worry about me, basically.

Importantly if it looks like your baby will need to start feeding up to 90 mins before I arrive – I’d suggest, if at all possible, to have them in just their nappy and wrapped in a blanket – when you start feeding them – rather than wearing baby grows. Generally babies don’t like being undressed if they are in that “milk drunk” stage.

My baby has baby acne / jaundice / eye gunk should I do something?

If your baby has any or all of these – you are not alone – they are pretty normal, do reassure yourself with any health concerns with your health visitor.

As far as affecting the photos it’s the pay off of having photos of sleeping babies verses some of these skin conditions. I can remove in post production a lot of dry skin, baby acne if we feel it’s distracting to the image. Sometimes dry skin is such a feature of a newborn that it’s nice to see in some images. For Newborn’s particularly I do like working with Black and white images and it can be a bit more forgiving for removing blemishes, also babies skin tones especially if Jaundiced may suit black and white.

Apparently Olive oil is good for dry skin – just don’t put any on a couple of hours before the shoot as it may make the skin look too shiny.

I might like some nursing images or some skin on skin images is that ok?

Totally. These are images that I love to take – a natural look and a real part of new parenting. As with all my work, I’m on your side, so I want these to be flattering – it’s normally just a bit of skin (mum or dad.) I understand these are not necessarily going to be hung up above the fireplace, but if you are interested in having either of these sort of images, just say either on the day or beforehand.

I have a family heirloom I’d like to incorporate in an image somehow, is that ok?

Yes. I enjoy the challenge of making a beautiful photograph that includes items of special meaning.