From here I transition to prop poses. If your newborn is content, then I move right into them. If your newborn seems to be squirmy or showing signs of hunger, I allow for a break to change and feed them so we can get back to that happy full phase. I typically do 3-4 poses. My ideal flow is a fully wrapped pose to get them into a deep sleep. After that I unwrap the baby which shows off the outfit I slipped on right before wrapping them, I do my favorite chin on hands bucket pose or a cute little bowl pose. Then I move onto a bed prop. I transition into every pose intentionally and gently, allowing your sweet babes to stay settled, so I can capture a variety of images.
If there is a sibling, then I have them join us in the studio at this time. Bringing them later in the session is beneficial for everyone. Siblings don’t have the patience we do and having them come later allows for a much smoother transition into sibling photos. Once those are finished, we move into family poses.
I like to start with mom and newborn, which if needed gives the sibling a break. Then I move onto mom, dad, and baby. If there is a sibling I add them in at this point to capture the beautiful family dynamic that has already begun. I love the way an older sibling looks at their new baby, and the awe the parents are in of seeing those sweet looks. Then I finish off the session with dad and baby.
During the session if your newborn becomes fussy, I always allow for feeding, changing, and snuggling. It is completely normal and expected. If your baby doesn’t settle, I prioritize their safety. I snuggly and safely wrap them to prevent them from putting themselves into an unsafe position. While wrapped I am still able to capture their sleepy yawns, adorable smiles, and sometimes they even give me a little eye contact. All these moments are special and worth capturing.
Most of the time wrapping them snuggly and being patient allows them to fall into a deep sleep. Other times babies choose to be wrapped during the entire session because that’s how they feel most comfortable.
At the end of the day, I allow your newborn to be the boss. The safety of your newborn is my top priority; I watch their cues closely. My goal is to give you a beautiful gallery without forcing your newborn into something they aren’t happy about.
If you are excited about your newborns’ arrival and want to capture this sweet time in their life in a safe, loving, and baby-led environment then I would love to chat and answer any questions you have for me.