Tips for a Sleepy Newborn

If you’re about to welcome a new little baby into your lives, you may be wondering when the best time to have your newborn session is. I believe that newborns of any age deserve a newborn session, in fact, I often photograph three or four month old babies, the exact same way I photograph week old babies. There is however a golden spot if you’re wanting images of your baby sleeping. I will never guarantee a baby will sleep but we can increase the chances of it by photographing baby in the first two weeks of life. In my 11 years or so of photographing newborns, I have noticed that babies aged between 6-8 days almost always sleep throughout their whole session.

Change diapers, clothes etc before baby drifts off to sleep

If baby falls asleep before they’re in the outfit you want them in for their session, we may end up waking them too soon. Try to have them in their outfit before the feeding and swaddling begin.

If you’re ready to schedule your newborn session, please get in touch. I would love to photograph your family!

It’s a common misconception that people who have in home family or newborn photography session have giant, light filled homes. While I think families with large, light and airy homes should have their family or newborn session in their home, I want you to know that you definitely don’t need that to have a beautiful in home session. Often in Seattle and surrounding areas, homes are older, smaller and don’t have great light. When you pair that with the number of dark and dreary days we have, more often that not, my photography sessions end up being in darker homes. If you do have a more spacious home, then we will definitely showcase it in your photos, however, if your home is small and dark and you’re not sure if it will photograph well, then this is the post for you! I am going to share with you a session that we did in one small corner of the house. This beautiful family had just moved into their house and as a result, they were still unpacking and hadn’t begun to decorate. We went ahead with their newborn session when their baby was 8 days old and I reassured them that all I need is one or two good windows to make the magic happen. When I arrived, I was taken on a quick tour of the house. I saw this little corner and knew that it would be my spot. We did have to clear it out a little bit (remember, they just moved AND had a new baby) but it was the perfect corner to do almost the whole session. Disclaimer, we did move outside for a few images but I'd say a good eighty percent of their session was done in this small space. I hope when you see this newborn session, that you realize that no matter the size of your home, that we can totally do a session in it. Family and newborn sessions are all about the love and connection you have with one another, and although many people love to use their home as the backdrop to their family photos, the focus is always on the family itself. Your home is the place where your family is most comfortable so it makes sense to have your session there. Are you ready to create your own cozy and heartfelt family love story? Reach out today! I’d love to get you on my calendar!