Getting ready for a newborn photography session is something I actually really enjoy. I’m always looking forward to snuggling and capturing images of these tiny babies. But then I get to take it a step further by creating a session custom to each family and use things I think mom and dad will love.
What to Use?
Before I do anything though I go back to my clients completed questionnaire or my notes from our previous chats. I love to hear what my clients are looking for out of our session. What is special to them or colors they love. Something special a family member made for baby or what their nursery style will be. The list goes on and on. Either way it’s one of my favorite parts of the session.
Lots to Choose From
My inventory of props, wraps, outfits, hats, tiebacks, quilt layers, blankets etc. just keeps growing. I do not really go prop crazy but I have quite a bit of goodies and I love every single one of them. I feel like it all compliments my style perfectly. The vendors I work with are ones I chose that have well-made goodies and are have the utmost respect. Everything I have in my studio is cleaned and ready for each session.
Getting Ready
The day before my session I start getting everything out and ready. I have a home studio so everything is all packed away. First thing I do is move my props out of the way and get out my back drop paper and stand so I can do parent and/or sibling pics. Parents have a couple of options to choose from when it comes to backdrop paper. I lean towards neutrals and have cream, pecan and mocha in my inventory. Pecan and cream are big favorites. Next I make sure that my “wood” backdrop and floor drop are out and ready to go as well. These are parent (and mine) favorites for my prop shots. Looks like real wood and photographs beautifully.
Besides my giant light, my beanbag is the biggest thing in my studio. (Probably why my kids keep jumping on it. LOL) I pull that out, layer all my blankets on it, to make it comfy and supportive for baby, and set i
t up with my backdrop stand. Things are starting to come together! I set up my light and make sure it works, get my camera and extra lenses prepared and ready to go. Can’t forget an extra SD Card and battery, just in case.
Making it Personal
Sitting down and getting out all the goodies that make these sessions unique is definitely my favorite part. Choosing wraps and blankets, outfits and tiebacks that fit perfectly with my client’s tastes always reminds me a little bit why I love this job. I love the look and feel of all the different textures of everything. While I put out what I think the clients will love, I still try and leave extra choices for them in case I missed something. It is always ok if they want to change things up a bit too. Everything I have I love so I want them to LOVE the choices they make for their images.
You can usually find me sitting on the floor with it all laid out testing out different quilt pieces or basket stuffers and wraps together for prop shots or outfits and wraps with the backdrops to see how everything fits together. Custom designing each session is what I feel really makes it special. No two sessions are alike and I love that.
An Added Touch
Once in a while a client will bring me a special item to be photographed or let me know their nursery theme and I am able to prepare for that. I have some felted stuffies that are just such a sweet addition to a session. For example, a mama let me know how much she loved Winnie the Pooh. I have a classic Pooh set and was able to bring that out for her session. It ended up being one of her favorite images. And mine too!! Being able to add that little element to a session is pretty special.
Wrapping Up
After all this is said and done, I look around and am excited for the session to start. The only thing left to do is warm up the studio and make sure I have extra diapers ready and my little tricks for a successful session. I can NOT wait to meet your new baby.
Leave a reply