When should I call to schedule my newborn session?

Before your baby is born! It is so important to plan ahead. Capturing your newborn within the first two weeks of life while they are still sleepy and curled up, can make all the difference in your newborn portraits. Melanie’s schedule fills up about four weeks in advance so please call to schedule your newborn appointment before your baby is born. Since we never really know when your little one will arrive we will put you on our calendar to hold a spot for you. When your baby is born we will move your appointment accordingly.

If your baby came early or if your baby is already born, don’t panic! We always do our best to squeeze newborns into our schedule and older babies take beautiful portraits too.

Is one week too early for my session?

Absolutely not! Newborn babies photograph best between 5-10 days old. At this point they are still very sleepy and like to curl up as if they were still in the womb. We take up to three hours for a newborn session and leave plenty of time for feedings, diaper changes and breaks for mommy and baby. Come as soon as you are ready. We can’t wait to meet your new little one.

What should baby wear?

Newborns photograph best without any clothes at all. Melanie also loves to photograph newborns swaddled in blankets with lots of texture and snuggled up tight in buckets and baskets, so if you have a special blanket or two bring them. We have an extensive supply of newborn hats, bows and headbands that coordinate beautifully with our blankets and props that Melanie will use to stylize your images. You are welcome to bring any hats or props that you would like to have the baby photographed in. Melanie encourages her clients to bring special, personal items which make the session and images especially meaningful.

How should I prepare for my newborn session?

We recommend that you bring baby to the session well rested and plan to feed baby as soon as you arrive. Sleepy babies photograph perfectly, so Melanie will ask you to undress and swaddle baby before the feeding so as to not disturb them by undressing them after the feeding. We take several breaks for feeding baby during the session to ensure that baby is happy and has a full tummy. We ask that you not be too concerned with scheduled feedings during the session and that you feed baby on demand or when they get a bit fussy to ensure their comfort and a smooth session.

Can I circumcise my baby boy before the session?

NO!! Please wait until after your session or allow at least 5-7 days after the procedure to pass before your session. We will be tightly swaddling your boy naked in scarves and delicate fabrics. The fabrics are soft, however a fresh circumcision is very fragile and often uncomfortable for a newborn. When we wrap and unwrap, along with change his position or pose, the circumcision can become irritated even further which leads to a VERY unhappy baby who is not able to be photographed. We do not want to make your baby hurt or uncomfortable. Please note, we feel very strongly about this and we WILL send you home if your baby arrives at the studio and has been circumcised within 5 days of your session.

Can I be photographed with my baby?

Most certainly! This is our specialty and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Melanie loves to capture the emotion of those special first days with your new little one and believes that there is no greater image than a new mommy or daddy cuddling with and admiring their newborn child. Skin on skin images are a unique way to capture the purity of these relationships.