Having your bundle of joy pose for newborn pictures will give your family a beautiful memory of your baby’s first few days with you. Unlike regular photo shoots, however, a baby photo shoot requires a bit more planning and preparation. No parent wants their baby to feel unnecessarily stressed out, and photos of a fussy and upset baby might not make for a keepsake you’d want to look at in the future to reminisce, so follow these tips to ensure you get the best photos of your newborn.

5 Tips to Prepare for a Newborn Photo Session

1. Bathe the Baby

Parents are advised to bath the newborn and lather them in lotion the morning before the photo shoot. Not only is this comforting for the baby, but it will also get rid of any dead skin babies sometimes have. This will make their skin clearer and more radiant in the photos.

2. Prepare the Baby for Deep Sleep

Newborn pictures look best when the baby is in a deep sleep, so keep the baby up all morning so that they stay asleep during the photo shoot. Usually, newborn photography studios can turn the heat up to a warm and toasty temperature comfortable for babies to encourage a restful snooze.

3. Dress Baby

Your newborn needs to be placed in a loose diaper.  This will help decrease redness and lines.  It is very helpful to put you baby in a onesie or jumper that will not have to be pulled over baby’s head.  This helps keep them asleep and calm while undressing them.

4. Feed the Baby

Feed and burp the baby before going to the get your newborn pictures taken. This would keep the baby milk drunk, happy, and ready to pose. You can also take feeding breaks throughout the shoot to prevent them from getting fussy and upset. 

5. What does my baby need?

It is always a good idea to have a pacifier, bottle and gas drops/gripe water on hand.  This can be very helpful for babies that get fussy or are starting to get hungry.  Even if they do not use a pacifier or are Breastfed, these small tips can help get in one or two more poses prior to baby needing to eat again.  It is not required, but only a suggestion.   These tools can help get the best out of your session with your newborn.

For high-quality newborn pictures, Meredith Struebing Photography provides premium services. Meredith’s studio is complete with props and baby clothing and the heat in the studio could be turned up to 80 degrees to keep the baby comfortable. With over 20 years of experience in serving clients around Cottleville, MO, this award-winning family photographer is also well-versed in maternity photo shoots and other types of family photography. Request a free consultation by calling (636) 255-4679 or view their gallery online.