Useful preparation advice for your baby portrait session
Don’t miss another magical moment
Do you remember how quickly your baby changed when they were newborn? You may not be so aware of these changes now that your baby is a little bit older, but they’re still developing rapidly. Before you know if they’ll be crawling, sitting, standing and heading off for university! So don’t wait until you have the perfect outfit, or baby is the perfect age before you come to the studio for your portraits. Right now is the perfect age! Just use the advice and tips here and you and Baby will be ready for a couple of fun-filled hours in the studio.
Book your baby photoshoot as early as possible
We only do 3 portrait sessions per week so availability is very limited. To secure the date you want, book as far in advance as possible.
We’ll endeavour to book the session for the time that suits your baby best. We want them at their most animated, energetic and engaged.So if they’re a morning baby we’ll book a morning session or if they’re a bit sleepy until after lunch time then we’ll book an afternoon session.
preparation in advance of the session
We have a pre-session consultation before your baby photoshoot. This can happen by phone or zoom. If it’s a location session and we’re coming to your home to shoot, then a zoom call will allow us to check out your available shooting space.
The creative consultation is my opportunity to learn more about your artistic preferences and the type of art you’d like me to create for you. We’ll discuss all the creative decisions I’ll be making in the creation of your artwork. This includes the introduction of colour into your portraits through the use of blankets, props, accessories and clothes. We’ll also discuss whether you’d like to include elements of your existing home décor in your portraits,and explain how we go about doing that.
Wardrobe choices form an important part of this discussion. Although your baby is never going to look better than when they’re in their birthday suit, some cute outfits increase the variety in your portrait collection. Of course we’ll offer advice on what to wear and, more importantly what NOT to wear! For more information check out this blog post on what to wear to your shoot. Insert link here.
Make sure that you’ve organised everything that you’re bringing with you before the day of the session. You’ll be arriving for your photoshoot in the morning and won’t have time for packing or shopping then.
We want baby to be feeling their best too, so avoid scheduling vaccinations for the day or two before the session.
You may also want to bring your little one’s favourite toy. If you do, don’t let them see that it’s in the bag. Let’s keep it as a surprise. If we start to see a bottom lip wobble then it might be just the thing to bring a smile to their face! Give the toy too early and you may have their favourite teddy bear in every… single … image!
Why not make a real occasion of it?
Your baby photography session can include siblings and parents too. We can possibly include extended family as well, but check with us in advance, as we’re not over-endowed with space in the studio.
preparation on the day of the session
Firstly, and most importantly, if you or your baby are ill on the day of the session, please don’t soldier on regardless. It never works! If we’re not feeling great, then we’re not going to be looking our best. And that’s going to show in the art I create for you. I want to create artwork that you absolutely fall in love with! Also, I work with lots of very young babies with immune systems that are yet to fully develop. I have a duty of care to all my teeny tiny models to ensure they’re coming into a hygienic and healthy environment. So it’s much better to just give us a ring and we will reschedule to a time when you and baby can take it all in your stride.
Make sure you bring with you all of the outfits and accessories we discussed at your creative consultation, and anything else you might want included in your portraits. Snacks, toys or anything else your little one is going to consider a treat is a good idea to have in reserve. I’m not above a bit of bribery if needed!
Getting those amazing expressions
We are entertainers as well as photographers. We have puppets, bubbles, balloons, pom poms, toys with lights and all sorts of wondrous stuff to entertain Baby and help them look at the camera. I’m quite happy to make a fool of myself for your little one’s entertainment and will run through the various options until we find the thing that delights your baby. However, we tailor our entertainment to your baby’s personality and where they’re at in their development. We’ll work with whatever your baby gives us on the day and however they’re feeling.
Rest assured, if they’re just not feeling it on the big day then we will offer to reconvene for a top-up session (at my expense) to ensure you have a complete portrait collection – all part of the service!
have i missed anything?
If you still have questions on preparing for your baby photography session then please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 07734 205407. Looking forward to meeting you and your baby soon.
