One thing I’ve found after being a newborn photographer in the Seattle area, is that many homes that my clients buy are in need of renovations. It can take years to get your house to the home of your dreams. What I’ve noticed is that when a new baby comes along, the nursery is one of the very first spaces a family will tackle and the rest of the home needs some time to catch up. This doesn’t mean you should not have an in home session, even if only one room is complete. After years of photographing in all sorts of homes in various stages of renovations, I can confidently say that we can do an entire newborn session in one room only, whether that’s the nursery, the main bedroom, or the living room.
How Do I Prepare for my Family Photo Session
You’ve booked your family photography session but now you’re wondering what you can do to prepare for the big day. Whether you’re having your family photo session outdoors at one of the beautiful locations Seattle has to offer, or in the comfort of your own home, here are my top tips to make sure your photo day goes as smoothly as possible.
Make sure the kids are well rested
Your family photo session should be the big activity for your family that day. Try to make sure there aren’t any other big events such as birthday parties or zoo visits. You’ll want your kids to be happy and exhausted kids often mean cranky kids.
Have your wardrobe finalized about a week before
There’s nothing worse than trying on your outfit right before your session starts and realizing that something doesn’t fit. Aim to have everything finalized at least a week before your session. That way, if something doesn’t fit, you’ll have time to find a replacement.
Check for chipped nail polish
Trust me, it shows in pictures!
Don’t forget to eat before your session
Nothing makes kids (and adults) melt down quicker than a growling stomach. Have a light meal before your photo session, right before you get changed for it. This will keep the whole family happy.
Bring snacks
If you want to keep your kids going throughout the session, many parents like to have some snacks on hand. I recommend non-messy snacks such as gummies so they don’t stain the clothes.
Good things to have on hand
It’s great to have things like a hairbrush and baby wipes handy.
Relax!
If you’ve been following my work at all, you know I’m not going to ask you to stand, smile and look awkward in front of the camera. Just love on your babies, play with them, snuggle with your partner, then let me handle the rest. All you need to do is show up as YOU!
If you’d like to know more about my sessions, take a look at my information page.
Can a newborn session be held outdoors?
While the majority of newborn session are held at home, every now and then I have someone ask if we can do their newborn session outdoors. At the end of the day, they’re your photos and I want you to love them so if that’s what you desire, then that’s what we’ll do. There are some things to keep in mind though:
The weather
Little babies can’t regulate their temperature so shooting outdoors at any time other than summer is probably going to be too cold for them. If you do wish to have an outdoor newborn session in the cooler months, you’ll just want to make sure baby is well wrapped up.
Time of day
The best lighting for outdoor sessions is the hour before sunset. If your session is in summer, this could be quite late. If staying up until sunset isn’t feasible for your family, we will need to find a place that offers shade.
Have a helper
This isn’t so necessary if you just have the one baby, but if you have a toddler or two, it could be helpful to have an extra pair of helping hands. Since you’re recovering from childbirth, you won’t be able to move or chase toddlers as quickly as you used to.
Bring a swaddle or blanket with you in case of wind
It’s always handy to have an extra blanket in case of cold/wind. This will help baby feel comfortable.
Consider wearing something nursing friendly
If you are nursing, you want to make sure your outfit is easy to nurse in.
As for any session, try on your outfits before the session day
There is nothing more stressful than putting on your outfits and discovering they don’t fit. Please make sure you try on outfits on the day to eliminate any stress on session day.
Should I have a fresh 48 session or an at home newborn session?
Now that photographers are allowed back into hospitals, you may be wondering whether you should have a Fresh 48 session or an at home newborn session. Both options have benefits. Here is what I love about each option:
Fresh 48 Sessions
Fresh 48 sessions take place in the hospital, in the first day or two after baby’s arrival.
Little details you’ll find only in the hospital can be captured such as, the hospital bracelets, the plastic bassinet, the little hat.
There are so many little things that only a tiny baby has that can be photographed like the umbilical cord stump and flakey feet.
You don’t need to do anything special for your session, no cleaning up, no special outfits. I’ll photograph you exactly how you are.
Fresh 48 sessions are quick. With all that is going on in the hospital, I can be in and out with all the necessary images in no more than thirty minutes.
The time spent in the hospital is so special but fleeting. A photo session is the perfect way to remember what life was like those first few hours of babies life.
In home newborn session:
Newborn lifestyle sessions can take place at your home any time in the first month of baby’s life:
By waiting a week or two after baby’s birth, mothers often feel more put together and ready for photos.
We can incorporate spaces you’ve put so much time and energy into, such as the nursery.
Baby’s are still tiny and will often sleep for the majority of the session so you can still get sleepy images (most of the time), just like a Fresh 48 session.
If there are siblings, they can be involved. Pets are also welcome!
Everyone is relaxed and comfortable in their own home.
Still can’t decide? How about both! A Fresh 48 + newborn bundle is $1,275.00. A $350 retainer is required to book with the remainder being split into two payments due at the time of the sessions. Any questions? Send me a message.
Is Three Weeks Too Old for a Newborn Session? {Seattle Newborn Photographer}
Your baby has finally arrived and the last few weeks have been a whirlwind full of love, wonder, and exhaustion. The dust is starting to settle and you suddenly realize that your baby is changing by the day and you never booked a newborn session. You might be wondering if it’s too late. Good news! It’s not!
While I always recommend booking your newborn photography session while you’re still pregnant, the good news is that I am almost always able to squeeze families in last minute. I missed out on newborn photos with my oldest, and almost 12 years later, I still regret it. I would hate that to happen to you. The best part about lifestyle newborn photography is that it doesn’t matter if your baby is 3, 4, or even 5 weeks old. I will photograph them the exact same way as I would photograph a 6 day old. You may find that your baby doesn’t sleep as soundly as they did when they were a tiny newborn, however, I’ve found that the majority of older newborns will fall asleep at some point during the session, If you want to increase the odds of your baby sleeping for some sweet sleepy images, I recommend a tight swaddle and a warm house. You may also find that your baby has developed some baby acne around the month old mark. If that’s the case, I can edit it out, or leave it if you prefer it to be an accurate representation of how they looked at the time. Other than that, I will photograph your baby just the same as I would have if you had booked your session a few weeks earlier. If your baby is already here and you’d like to get a newborn session scheduled, please reach out. I would be honored to photograph your family.
When is the Best Time for a Sleepy Newborn Photography Session {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}
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.
Book your session for as early as possible:
I’m never going to guarantee a sleeping baby. I’m not a posed newborn photographer and an awake baby is just as beautiful as a sleeping baby, however, the earlier your session, the sleepier the baby normally is.
Keep your house nice and warm
Don’t worry, you can turn the heat down once I leave!
Swaddle your baby
I have a magic little swaddle that works wonders and can be used underneath your own blankets. It’s pretty amazing at getting babies off to dreamland quickly.
Make sure baby has a nice, full belly
Whether your breast or bottle feeding. you’ll want to try to get baby’s belly nice and full. Don’t worry, we will take plenty of feeding breaks if baby needs them.
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!
How to Celebrate the Whole Family During a Newborn Photography Session {Newborn Photographer Kirkland}
I love photographing all family members during a newborn photography session. While the main focus is always on the newborn baby, I strongly believe that when a baby arrives, all family members have a new role to play and those new roles should be celebrated. A former mom of two becomes a new mom of three. Same goes for the dad. An older sister now has two new little siblings. And the former youngest sibling is now a big sibling for the first time.
Some of my favorite images to take at newborn sessions include:
The big siblings looking at their newborn baby in the crib
This is one of my favorite ways to photograph sibling pictures. This works especially well for older siblings who aren’t quite old enough to hold the baby.
Each parent with all their kids
It’s a huge deal to become a parent of multiple children. Capturing each parent with all their kids, whether it’s two kids or six kids, is a beautiful way to celebrate them and their children.
Siblings all on the main bed together
This is another great image that works particularly well for siblings that aren’t old enough to hold the baby.
Parents together with baby
Whole family images are so important but I always think it’s nice to get one or two images with the parents with just the new baby.
Each parent alone with the new baby
They probably have a ton of images with their oldest alone so this new baby should get that too!
If siblings are old enough, images holding the baby
If there is a bigger age gap and the parents are happy for the siblings to hold the baby, then I love to photograph the newborn in the arms of the parents.
Why You Should Have an In Home Lifestyle Newborn Session {Seattle Newborn Photographer}
Those first few days when you welcome your newborn can be hectic. You’re tired, your older kids are adjusting to having a new little baby in the house, you’re getting to know your new little person, and you’re recovering from birth. The last thing I, as your photographer, want to do is put more stress on you by having you leave your home and come to me for your newborn photo session. Here in Seattle, if you have your baby any time other than summer, it’s probably going to be chilly out so there’s no better way to do your photo session than snuggling up with your little family and staying at home.
Children are more comfortable in their own home
If you have older kids, they’re already adjusting to a new sibling. It’s always best to keep them in the environment they already know and love.
You don’t need to take your new baby out in the cold
No need to bundle your precious little baby up and take them out in bad weather during cold and flu season.
Your home is an extension of yourself
That nursery you’ve spent so much time and energy on, let’s use that as the backdrop to your newborn’s photos.
You don’t even need to put on shoes
I don’t know why this is always such a big selling point for me, but I’m always happiest barefoot and I’m sure you are too!
Is a Fresh 48 Session Right for You? {Seattle Newborn Photographer}
I’m so excited that after a two year hiatus, Fresh 48 sessions are coming back. They are some of my very favorite sessions and I absolutely love photographing this special time in your lives. Fresh 48 sessions are a relatively new concept. They are designed to document that very beautiful but fleeting time in the hospital over the first day or two after your baby’s birth. Fresh 48 sessions are raw, intimate and cozy and will serve as a beautiful memory of what life was like when your baby was fresh.
What is needed for a Fresh 48 session?
I honestly don’t think you need anything special. I love to use the gear the hospital provides. They use that little hat, blanket, and bassinet for such a short time and I think it’s important to document it. You can always bring you own swaddles or outfit if you wish but with so much already going on, I don’t want you to stress about extra stuff.
How long to Fresh 48 sessions last?
I try to keep Fresh 48 sessions as quick as possible. There is so many people coming and going from your hospital room and I never want to get in the way of anyone. I keep sessions to about half and hour and we always end up with a varied and full gallery in this short amount of time.
How do you book a Fresh 48 if baby’s arrival is unpredictable?
I book Fresh 48 sessions the same way I book newborn sessions. By paying the retainer, you are guaranteeing a spot on my schedule. Since most mamas only get 24-48 hours in the hospital, I ask that you send me a quick text or email with any updates (induction dates, c section dates, once you’re headed to the hospital etc). Once baby arrives you, or your support person should reach out to me as soon as possible and we will then decide on a time for me to come to the hospital.
What I’m doing to keep baby safe:
I am fully vaccinated and up to date on all vaccines including:
Covid 19
Influenza
TDaP
I will be wearing a mask to all Fresh 48 and in home newborn sessions. My oldest child caught RSV as an infant and I believe it’s so important to do what I can to prevent spreading any germs.
I will use hand sanitizer when entering your room and I won’t handle your baby.
What’s happening with visitors in hospitals?
Most hospitals in the greater Seattle area are now open to visitors. You will want to double check with your hospital to make sure visitors are allowed.
What is included with a Fresh 48 session?
Fresh 48 sessions include forty digital images for you to share and print as you wish. If you want a Fresh 48 session on it’s own, the price is $650 with a $150 retainer required at the time of booking. If you wish to book a newborn session too, the package deal is $1,175 with $300 due at booking. You will also receive high quality 4x6 prints of every image in your gallery as a gift.
Are you ready to schedule your Fresh 48 session? Please reach out to me so we can get you on the calendar!
Why You Don't Need a Giant Home for an In Home Family or Newborn Session {Seattle Family Photographer}
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!
