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                     NEWBORN SESSION PREP-GUIDE

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Congratulations on your new bundle!

The following will help you with how to best prepare for your upcoming newborn photography session.

Newborn sessions can last anywhere from 2-4 hours, please come prepared with everything that you and your newborn need. 

You will want to bring extra diapers and wipes, a pacifier (even if you ONLY use it for the session it can be SUPER helpful with soothing babies while posing) and if bottle feeding be sure to have EXTRA formula. If you are breastfeeding try to stay hydrated.

Be prepared for the room to be warm 75+ F, wear light comfortable clothes, bring a change of shirt for yourself for photos for yourself if necessary, incase the baby pees/poops when we do parent/naked baby posing.

Siblings- Photographing the newest member of your family with your already beloved members is a great way to document your newest addition. For sisters, please bring well-fitted neutral clothes- I also provide dresses for girls if you would like.  Hair should be groomed or in braids/ponytail, free of bows and ties. For brothers, well-fitted jeans and, if not shirtless, then a well-fitted, white T-Shirt. There is a bathroom or a guest-room  for you to use to get dressed and “prepped” . The face, including nose needs to be wiped off of any food drink or mucus residue, thank you.We all know children can be unpredictable for photos, especially toddlers.  Throw in a huge life change… adding a new sibling… and that can make things even more challenging!  Here are 3 tips for preparing older siblings for photos during your baby’s newborn session:1. Practice hugging and holding the new baby.  We don’t want the first time holding the new baby to be at the studio.  Likewise, if they are not willing to hold or hug the baby at home, don’t expect them to do it at the studio.  Don’t worry, there are other ways to get photos if they aren’t yet ready to touch their new sibling 2. Show big brother or sister photos of other children holding their new baby.  Getting an idea of what to expect helps prepare them for their turn in front of the camera.3. I always support bribery! If your child responds well to bribery, go for it!  I have Smarties and suckers at the studio.  Many clients reward with ice cream or a favorite lunch spot after photos.  My most important tip for parents is to manage your own expectations.  Putting too much pressure on older siblings never works in our favor. Stay calm and don’t stress if things don’t go percent your way. Your children can feel your stress, so maintaining a calm space at the studio will always work better than harsh words and threats.

I offer various parent/child poses.   Skin to skin is not just for the hospital, but it creates the most stunning images. Fathers, if you are not comfortable going shirtless then wear a tight fitting shirt or collared PRESSED shirt ( white or black) with well- fitted jeans. Please wear neutral shirts, NO logos or stripes….Mothers, keep your tops simple in design.  Tanks or classic T-Shirts are best.  I highly suggest either white, black shirts, keeping colors classic will emphasize the baby, I find colors are too distracting. I also provide beautiful, dresses should you decide you would like those for your photos.  Your hands will be in the images so avoid nail polish or go with something  neutral, same with make-up-keep it soft and soft pink lipstick if any, please no dark lipstick.I offer TONS of gorgeous dresses for moms to wear, please make use of them, you will thank me later :) Same for Dad, clean trimmed nails, and also facial hair and beard. I suggest no heavy jewelry, nor watches, unless they are a family heirloom or have special meaning (of course wedding bands are ok), the attention is on the baby. All parent images are close and personal. I will either wrap the baby up so keeping the poses nice and neat or do naked baby posing. Please cream your arms since they will make their way into pictures and dry skin is not a good look. 

IMPORTANT

If nursing, I ask that you don’t eat any foods the day or two before that could cause gas.  You can google foods to avoid, but common ones to stay away from the day before your pictures are: pasta sauce, pizza, garlic, hot sauce, and other spicy foods.  Additional vegetables include, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.  In an effort to make the shoot go smoothly,  try to hold off on the morning coffee the day of the session.  You can bring it with you.  A gassy baby will not pose well during the session due to their little tummy being upset. Gripe water works amazing for gassy babies, you would find Gripe water at Walmart or any pharmacies, seeing the benefits with our last few grandchildren, that stuff is pretty amazing and instant...the gel one works really well :) Ask your pediatrician about it.

Super important: Please please let me know if there is anything out of the ordinary about the baby

Please do use some lotion in the AM. 

Try to give them a full feeding PRIOR to coming for your shoot and you can bring enough formula/breastmilk to top off once you get here while we prepare.

Dress newborns in loose clothing like a sleeper or a ZIP UP onesies, but nothing that pulls over the head, tight socks nor mitts with elastic. Ensure that the diaper is not on as tight as usual so it is easily removable. You can line the carseat with a towel to protect against leaks.

I supply all outfits and wraps for newborns, if you have something special you would like to bring to use I will try to work it in at the end of the session.

If you have any question please do not hesitate to ask.

Safety is my number one priority, shots may need a parents hand for support, I will ask you to step in and I will supply a full explanation. 

Please let me know what colors you prefer and what suits your style as well as the colors of your home/ nursery. 

Please also feel free to bring snacks and beverages for yourselves.

 Babies will cry during the session, please do not be nervous. So many times have I heard "my baby sleeps all day"  yes, that may be true, but your baby is not being handled and posed every 20min or so,  I am always gentle, and will take my time posing the baby. However I will try one pose three times, if the baby does not like the pose or is visibly upset about it, I will move on to the next. Froggy pose is one of those poses that not all babies like.I will always have the baby "lead" the way 

Newborn Sessions can take up to 4 hoursBabies. I don't rush my newborn sessions and I like to follow the baby's lead. Making sure baby is comfortable is my number one priority. Most of the time is spent soothing baby. It's good to come to the studio as relaxed as possible as babies can feel if you're stressed.

I look forward to meeting you and your newest addition!

Sincerely,

Nicole Calore

 My address:

56 Massachusetts Ave

Congers, NY 10920

We are the corner house of Massachusetts Ave and Butler Street, our driveway faces Butler Street,

please park behind my car - white Honda CRV.

Please come to the front door.

Thank you