Newborn Session Prep Guide


The first few days of your baby’s life are so magical and incredible! Being able to freeze those moments for you is such an honor for me, Newborn Photographer, Stephanie Vasquez at Precious Keepsakes Photography! ♥ 

I thought it might be a little helpful to write down how parents play an important role to have a pleasant and enjoyable experience for a successful Newborn session. 

So…. lets get started!


I Highly recommend booking your newborn session as early as One month prior to your approximate delivery date. That gives me enough time to fully customize a newborn session just for you! If anything else is needed such as a coordinating headband or matching outfit, I will have enough time to research and purchase any additional items needed.


Birth Day!

Yay!! 

I know you are just as excited as I am to capture those little tiny fingers and toes while they last! Once you and baby have been given the green light to go home, please contact me right away to schedule a definite date and time for your bundle of joys newborn session. Sessions are typically scheduled within 2 days old to 14 days, following your release from the hospital.


When scheduling your session, the earlier the better. Newborns much younger tend to do very well during the session, oppose to a baby that is 20-25 days old. They tend not to wake up as frequently and as easily when getting them posed for the scene. A mere 48 hours in a newborns life is very crucial when prepping them for their session. I have witnessed many, many times after the 12 day mark, newborns have discovered the art of stretching!  Once that happens…they won’t let us curl them up in the cute little newborn poses, without a fight!


Still need to schedule your session after the 10-18 day mark? No worries, I understand every baby is different, my training and experience as a mom myself has taught me ways to soothe and nurture the feistiest little angels to sleep and besides who really doesn’t want to cuddle and hug these little cuties ALL DAY long!! ♥


Location, Location, Location!


Newborn sessions take place in Your Home. I create a custom studio setting in the privacy of your home which holds everything needed for your bundle of joy!


Sleepy, Hungry!


Babies do very well for posing when they are in a very deep sleep. To encourage this I highly recommend, stimulating the baby at least two hours before your scheduled session, a warm bath always does the trick. This also means keeping them awake and refrain from feeding 2 hours before our arrival as well if possible.


As I previously mentioned I’ve seen it all, unfortunately there have been a few moms that will say,” my baby sleeps through anything”. Well come to find out in a very unfortunate way, no they actually don’t. 15 minutes prior to my arrival, I ask that you will feed your baby, once burped, we will then start preparing him/her for their session, meaning any and all clothing must be taken off, except for the diaper. As you might know babies don’t like the feeling of being naked, they want to be warm and completely snuggled (although we will have a small heater in place to keep them warm) still, they are naked. That alone completely startles and wakes up a baby faster than anyone expected and because of that, they are now fully awake. Some babies fall into a deep sleep once picked up, wrap in a small blanket and soothed for about 15 minutes and then there are the babies that have been asleep for 3+ hours before arriving and are now refusing to go to sleep. ♥


Feeding!

Again, I highly recommend feeding baby right before your session. As a newborn photographer, I just feel it’s my duty to offer any advice or tips that you as a parent can use to maximize the time we have together and in return you’ll be able to showcase and display more than the average number of baby photos! ♥


Shhh......


Please do whatever you can to keep the noise to a minimum during our session. Maintaining a calm environment is also a big key to a successful newborn session. I do use a White Noise/Shush app that I will keep close to baby during the session to help soothe him or her. Babies love strong and rhythmic sound. Amazingly! 


Safety! 


Safety is my utmost number one top priority when handling your baby, so either mom or dad will be my spotter/assistant. All eyes and hands are to be kept around baby during posing. During the session I will be handling and posing baby, but don’t worry I have plenty of experience handling a newborn.  I will hold and care for him or her as if they were my own, I promise!


Mom, Dad!


I know this can be a very exciting and stressful time for you, especially when adding sleep deprivation in the mix! As much as my goal is for baby to be comfortable, I also want you to be comfortable and at ease! Having me photograph this precious moment for you, means so much to me so anything I can do to make it a smooth journey for you, please don’t hesitate to let me know!


Again thank you for giving Precious Keepsakes the opportunity to capture these unforgettable precious memories for a long time to come! ♥