On last thought, in my 10+ years of taking family pictures, I always see how the parents stress and mood mirrors onto the children. My number one piece of advice is that parent’s set the tone for a session. If you are stressed, worried about getting good photos or that your children will behave, they will pick up on that.
As moms, we have the task to get everyone ready and prepared for a session. My number one rule is to prepare the dad. Yes, the dad, not the kids! Getting dad prepared is key to preparing for your entire family session.
Don’t ask your children to look at the camera or the photographer. Depending on the age, they won’t be able to take instruction and they will wear out!
Don’t expect your children to “behave” all the time, they will loose interest. We will take small breaks to allow for that and will continue the shoot when they are ready.
Don’t expect to be done in a few minutes. You spent money on the session and we want to ensure we capture images you like.
Don’t try to pose for the camera, posing leads in stiff and award compositions. I will guide you.
Expect that I will ask you to engage with one another instead of looking at me. At least in the beginning while we’re warming up.
Expect that some poses won’t work for you or the kids, don’t worry, we will move on to the next setup.
Do prepare a few things you can say to your children to help them relax, think of a story that made them laugh ahead of the photo session and be ready to tell them the story during the photo session.
If you haven’t already, please read the following blogs
Many clients don’t know what to expect during a newborn lifestyle session. I thought it might be helpful to create this guide to help you prepare for the session. Most important – and I will mention this a few times during this guide – relax, be yourself and let me capture the connection of your family. Don’t try to pose, go with the natural flow of your family.
Time:
The best time for in-home sessions are during daylight hours, usually in the morning (starting your session between 9am – 1pm usually gives the best light and happiest babe!).
Style:
I LOVE natural light and I love capturing your new babe and family in the natural light in your house!! We will be embracing your home’s natural light (open up those window blinds!), turning off the overhead lights and taking advantage of the natural brightness as much as possible. I will direct you to stand close to windows as much as possible for those pictures. . Even on the cloudiest (and even rainiest too!) days, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how much the outside light comes in to give you the best possible pictures!
If the natural light is not sufficient enough (trust me I get it, some houses are dark – my own house included!) I will use my flash at a very low power to bounce off of the ceiling to add just enough light to illuminate you all in your space.
Location:
Obviously, I will be coming to your home for the session but we don’t shoot in every room. Lifestyle newborn photography is personal. They take place in your home, in your space – the place you spend the most time as a family. Sessions generally occur in the living room, mom and dad’s bedroom, and baby’s nursery. I completely understand how overwhelming it can be to take care of the baby plus entertain the family and try to recover from delivery. So do not stress about cleaning. We will only be shooting in two or three areas of your house.
These sessions are full of emotion and personality. They aim to capture the interaction and love you feel as you welcome your baby. During the session, you have a chance to relax and just snuggle your new babe, capturing the home you and your partner have built. The session isn’t a posed of stiff portraits session. Lifestyle sessions are designed to give you the opportunity to reflect on your love for one another and your baby. Go ahead and show those emotions.
Lifestyle sessions are fairly unposed; however, I do provide some guidance and I often direct my clients on where to sit or stand, but mostly use something called “prompts” to bring out emotions and personality.
Prepare the family:
Mom
You are the most important person in this session. You are the comforting arms that your baby will settle down in, you are the food source, and if you are stressed the baby will pick up on it. So give yourself an extra hour or two to get ready.
Please make sure you have enough time to feed the baby as you get ready. I have seen many times mom starting to feed baby minutes before the scheduled sessions and I can promise you, everyone will get nervous. I baby is hungry the session will not go well. Please schedule enough time to prepare. The more relaxed and beautiful you feel the better the photos. Everyone picks up on mom’s mood so as long as you are happy they will be too!
Dad:
On of the most important steps is letting your family know what to expect. For Dad, know that I will need approximately one hour of your time, but I won’t be photographing you the entire time. In fact, you’ll probably only be in front of the camera 20min or so. If you have other children then Dad will spend a good portion of time keeping them entertained before and after their turn.
Siblings:
For siblings tell them that someone fun is coming over to take their picture. Don’t stress them by telling them they have to look at the camera and smile (because they don’t, I promise you, you won’t like that fake smile!). Let them be they way they are, interact as a family.
PREPARING BABY
This part is pretty simple. Again, make sure they have a very full belly when I arrive along with a clean diaper. Plain white diapers work best so patterns don’t show through. Dress the baby in a simple cream or off-white shirt sleeve onesie.
WHAT TO WEAR:
COLOR PALETTE
Let’s tackle color palette next, my go to suggestion is always to stick with neutral and pastel colors. We want the focus to be on baby and not the brightest color in the photos. I recommend light pinks, blues, aqua, white, cream and gray. Avoid hot pink, neon green and bright orange as these can cast unflattering colors onto your skin and baby’s skin.
Keep it simple for dads! Be sure to pick out their outfit for them well ahead of time and lay it out so they know exactly what to wear. So make it easy on them!
Button downs can be a solid color or patterned. Just watch the colors and the pattern to ensure it’s not too busy or too bold. We want to keep the focus on baby and not Dad’s shirt.
Siblings outfit:
Definitely keep the tones for sibling outfits to neutrals and pastels. Avoid busy patterns and bright graphic elements. Nothing dates a photo more than a Paw Patrol or Minecraft shirt. If mom is wearing a solid dress you can put a sibling in a subtle delicate pattern
Moms outfit:
Dressing your post partum body is tough, The most important thing when it comes to what to wear for lifestyle newborn photos is that you feel comfortable!
Jeans are a classic if your style is more relaxed and casual. You can easily dress them up and they can help tuck in any post baby belly. Dresses definitely up the vibe of a session creating a more elegant feel. I recommend going with a maxi dress!
Definitely keep your top a light neutral or pastel color when wearing jeans. Whether you choose jeans or a dress just make sure if fits your style and the vibe you want for your session. I want you to feel comfortable and beautiful!
If you are concerned about your arms, a top with a long or 3/4 sleeve is a fabulous choice.
Baby’s outfit
Dress the baby in a simple cream or off-white shirt sleeve onesie. I will bring a few wraps, bonnets and blankets so we can swaddle up baby throughout the session. If you prefer baby in just a diaper and skin time – that’s perfect as well!
WHERE TO START & SAMPLE POSES:
I will start in the living room. This is mainly dictated by light. I’m looking for a room with the best light that has space for the whole family to cuddle. A couch is the perfect spot to gather everyone including siblings for a beautiful portrait.
Next on the list is the master bedroom. Starting with mom and dad sitting up on the bed with baby. Then … we kind of flow from there. I will ask you to cozy up on your bed. I always encourage you to sit close together. Next, I will ask you to lay together in a more intimate fashion. I will shoot down on you from a higher angle and perspective. I keep my aperture wide open while I do this, however, as I want any distracting elements, even the background, to be blurred.
Quite often parents won’t look at the camera, and that’s ok, you don’t need to see the faces to feel the connection.
Both parents are lying on the bed and I will shoot from above standing on the bed. I will be close to you to achieve this look.
Cuddle up on the bed, what is your routine?
This is the classic “we all look at the camera image”. We will try to capture one of those as well.
Lastly we’ll move on to the nursery. I love to document all the adorable elements of a nursery. Depending on the layout of your nursery I will try different poses. Below some samples of how I may pose you.
Samples of baby in crib
Sitting, interacting with baby
Through the door frame, capturing an intimate moment with your newborn.
I will seek out the room with the best light to capture a variety of “dad”, “mom” and “parent” poses. Below are a few samples of how those could look like.
Here are some classic “Dad” poses
Here are some classic mom poses
Classic mom and dad poses
…this post is work in progress..to be continued soon…
The most frequently asked question is “what do we wear for our newborn family photos?”
Keep it pretty neutral. Simple tones. Warm tones, beige works the best. Avoid pure white.
Tip #1:
Moms should wear something that makes them feel beautiful and comfortable (after all.. you just had a little one!). The best advice really is to keep it simple and choose soft material.
Tip #2:
Start with a neutral palette. Light-colored wardrobe in creams, light grays, and light pastels helps in keeping the focus on expressions and the moment.
Tip #3:
f you are concerned about your arms, a top with a long or 3/4 sleeve is a fabulous choice.
Tip #4:
Dads: coordinate with mom’s top. A subtle pattern on dad’s shirt can add interest. No shorts or work pants.
Tip #5:
Solid-colored tops (except pure white) and long sleeve tops are preferred as they allow the pictures to focus on connection. Avoid any type of logos.
Tip #6:
No matter how old the sibling is, the main goal is to make them comfortable. Pick comfortable clothing for younger children that fits well (not too small or too big and free of stains) and is made out of soft fabric. Make sure your clothes are ironed. This will help them feel relaxed for the photos. Coordinate (don’t match) colors with the parent’s wardrobe. Be careful with dresses that are too short and reveal areas that we don’t want to photograph.
Tip #7:
Bring an extra set of clothing in case we have more that one accident happening.
1. If nursing, try to avoid eating anything spicy (ie. pizza, hot sauce, etc) or anything that will cause gas and might upset baby’s tummy for 24 hours preceding your scheduled session. A gassy baby will not pose well during the session due to their little tummy being upset. *Some other foods that may cause gas are dairy products- milk, cheese, yogurt, pudding, cream, or any food that has milk, milk products, casein, whey, or sodium casein it, as well as foods with caffeine, soy, fish, peanuts, chocolate, wheat, beef, nuts, eggs, corn, or citrus fruits.
2. Interact with and keep baby awake for 1-2 hours before your session to ensure he/she is good and sleepy for the session. This is very important. Without this, we spend too much time getting her to sleep and not as much time photographing her. Stimulating baby with a bath or by doing ‘naked time’ prior to the session are some tricks that you can use! I know you are saying now “my baby sleeps all morning” and this is true if baby is at home, however this will be one of the few early outings and baby will sense the different environment and will naturally have a lighter sleep. Also, don’t forget that baby will be moved in and out different props and outfits.
3. Please make sure your little one has a very full belly for the session. Please feed baby just before you leave your home. I have many clients who arrive at the studio saying that they gave baby a small feeding about 45 minutes ago and need to feed baby upon arrival. Baby usually wakes up during this feeding at the studio and has trouble falling back into a deep, restful sleep. If baby is bottle feeding, please bring extra bottles and milk (formula or breastmilk) – (babies work up quite the appetite being constantly moved around in the warm studio) – I promise you we will need to fee at least once during the session. Also, baby should be fed as much as possible in the 12 hours that precede the session. This will allow for baby to sleep as deeply and as long as possible.
4. It will be quite warm in the studio (approx 25-27 C), so dress in layers.
5. The session will last anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on how much the baby sleeps and we are photographing parents and siblings.
6. If you are using a pacifier, please bring it! If you are not using a pacifier please consider brining one as well. With your permission we will use it during the session for brief moments as it will help to settle baby down while posing.
7. If you session includes a sibling, if possible I include siblings at the beginning at the session. If you have another parent, sibling(s) can leave as the remainder of the session can be long for them. If sibling(s) have to stay with you, we will do our best to entertain them with TV and a few toys.
Let me know if you have any questions at all! Please email or call me any time. I prefer open and honest conversations before the session to avoid any misunderstanding or disappointment.
If you have seen a posed newborn session click on this video. It is a training video but gives you a good idea what to expect.
Many clients don’t realize how long it can take to do certain sessions. Newborn sessions can run anywhere from 3-5 hours due to nursing, and getting baby to sleep. When your little one is on the go, we spent more time chasing your little ones around. A sitter session can be done in about 20-30 minutes, and you will see amazing poses! So instead of having to clear an entire evening or afternoon, this session can be done under and hour. It’s a win for parents, and babies.
Taking good pictures is an art and having a professional photographer with a trained eye and the creativity to visualize a beautiful unique photo is worth the extra cost.
2. If you’re having your first baby, you may not realize how little time you’re about to have. You’re not going to have time to take quality pictures or maybe take any pictures at all. Making an appointment and knowing that time is coming is comforting and it allows you to concentrate on other things, like enjoying time with your new son or daughter, and that is priceless.
3. I guarantee that you won’t be able to get a nice quality, frame-able picture from your smart phone, go ahead and use any phone or any app, it just won’t happen. Additionally, point and shoot cameras have come along way and are great for day to day picture taking and 75% of the time you’ll be happy with the results, but for those big occasions, having a baby- you want to be 100% sure that you’re getting the best pictures.
4. To get the best posed newborn pictures it’s best to have them done within 10 days of birth, and of course there are several considerations when handling a newborn baby, you can just flop them around and pose them how you want, it is important to be safe and have patience. Safety is especially an issue when doing pictures like this, it takes a special touch and some other photography tricks to accomplish this shot. I am safety certified with APNPI.
5. And the most important reason why you need to get newborn pictures done by a professional is the memories, you’ll have a hard time remembering how tiny and precious your son or daughter was. They grow SO fast, it’s hard to believe looking at the picture below that she was this small just 6 months ago. You’ll regret not investing in professional photos if you decide not to take my advice, and unless you have a time machine you won’t have the chance to change your mind.
These sessions take the natural approach – leaning into the little things – giving you an hour plus of fun, of snuggling, interacting, loving and having fun as a family.
It’s is very beneficial that you are well rested the day of your session. You want you to look your best, and getting enough sleep the night before is an excellent first step. Allow yourself extra time to perfect your wardrobe, style yourself, and travel. I recommend arriving for your session early. You can take the opportunity to enjoy a few moments of relaxation before we begin.
As you know, my vision is to creating timeless portraits. I find keeping themes simple allows for real moments, expressions and interactions.
Throughout your session, you’re encouraged to embrace whatever mood you’re feeling. Feel free to relax, laugh and have a good time. Portraits are best when you are yourself. It’s important to remember – just because there is a camera pointing at you, you don’t have to look at the camera. Sometimes the most meaningful images are when you’re enjoying a moment instead of posing.
Here are a few other prep details and suggestions:
Simplicity is always best, so when in doubt keep in mind that “less is more.”
Avoid patterns and stripes.
Avoid logos, as they can be distracting.
Neutral colours such as beige, black, tan and grey often photograph the best. They complement your skin tones and don’t conflict with common background elements. I recommend not to wear pure white colours.
Wear clothing that fits properly. A proper fit that allows you to move and feel comfortable will help you look more confident in your portrait.
Always dress with the full length in mind. Include shoes and socks in your wardrobe consideration. Shoe styles should be simple and not distracting.
Wear minimal jewelry for your portrait. Jewelry that you wear on a daily basis is fine, it should be kept simple, and its color should be neutral and non-distracting.
For hair and makeup, keep it natural as opposed to going too over-the-top. You may be more comfortable with having your hair and make-up professionally done, or you may be more comfortable doing it yourself. Whichever you choose, it is crucial that you feel beautiful and confident.
Perfect your wardrobe, it will be so important! Use Pinterest to get some inspirations!
I will work with natural light and I love capturing your family in the natural light in your home. I usually shoot in the master bedroom and nursery, if available. We will be embracing your home’s natural light (open up those window blinds!), turning off the overhead lights (they love to cast an orange glow on people it seems) and taking advantage of the natural brightness as much as possible. I’ll pop you all next to windows as much as possible for those pics — we will take full advantage of the light coming into your house.
I will shoot some candids as well as some posed setups. Good photos start with a semi posed setup and develop into those candids, unposed, documentary moments that are naturally happening.
Baby outfit:
I recommend an outfit with soft fabrics and colours. Stay away from pattern or stripes.
I will bring a few wraps and bonnets that we can add to the session
How to prepare your house:
In-home sessions DO NOT need to include your entire home! We do not have to take pictures everywhere, so please don’t feel like this needs to be a ‘whole home’ showcase for photos.
Photos in your home are done best in areas that have light – If there’s one window we will often stick close to that for the best light. Most often I do sessions in the main living space (living room) and the master bedroom. Occasionally then the nursery or other places. I will ask to look around and see what areas would be best. It can be surprising sometimes what little corners can make a perfect area for photos
You don’t have to rearrange your house, but decluttering side tables in the master bedroom and keeping the nursery free of clutter really helps to create nice images.
Check out my what to wear section (however it is a general guide), but my biggest advice is to be comfortable! These are pictures in your home so you want to make sure your outfits feel right. I also tell families to make sure the outfits they select go well with the aesthetic of their home — coordinating is key! You want your outfits to complement each other and your home well.
Again, my biggest piece of ‘what to wear’ advice: coordinating is good, matching is not so good. You do not want to all be wearing the same color or print (or outfit!!) — it does NOT photograph well and looks flat.
When you’re figuring out what to wear, start with mom. Yep, mom should pick her outfit first then work everyone else’s’ around her’s. Mom should feel confident in her outfit choice and that sometimes doesn’t happen when she saves her outfit choice for last.
Neutral /earth tone colors are a great place to start (gray, cream, brown, khaki, denim/chambray) and to build off of. These tend to photograph well in any setting .
Coordinating colors/patterns really work the best: try to stick with 2-3 complimenting colors, then add a ‘pop’ of color to really accentuate your outfit choices. This ‘pop’ of color adds umph to your photo. As much as I love earth tones and those organic colors, adding a little pop of color can really add an extra something to your photo session!
Lately, I have so many newborn session inquires where the baby is already 3 weeks old. I know it’s not high on your priority list to think about scheduling pictures when you are just trying to adjust to the new routine. However, the first two weeks are truly important when it comes to newborn photography. I am writing this blog as a reference, and even though I could list so many reasons why you should bring in your baby during the first 10 days, I was looking for a reference from a third party. So here it is, a blog from the National Association of Professional Child Photographers. “I encourage parents to bring their newborn babies in BEFORE 2 weeks of age but even BEFORE 1 week of age, is ideal! Most are looking to have their newborn photographed naked with perhaps an artistic pose. Newborn babies that are just a few days are able to be posed, comfortable naked (as long as they are warm and their bellies are full), and cute as can be. During this time (as a parent of 2 I know this) we are too tired to truly appreciate the tiny toes, the blistered lips, the wrinkled back. Your photographer will be able to capture all these tiny details, and create some amazing artistic images. Your baby changes so fast, don’t let this time pass you by before you can capture it professionally.”
In the following paragraph I will share some information with you of how to prepare for a session. We have likely talked about that prior to booking the session, but sometimes its good go be able to read it again.
LOCATION
For outdoor sessions, one of the most common questions we get is “Where will we shoot? Do you pick or do we?”.
So the location question should be addressed right away, and the answer is going to be up to the client! I offer studio and outdoor sessions. The location of the shoot can add a whole lot of meaning and fun to your photos. The images will be focused on you, but a great backgrounds adds a ton of colour, textures, lines and light. Natural spots, like field and treed areas work great for playing and focusing on each other. The best time of the day to shoot in fields is usually before sunset, so that I can capture the golden light. If you have a location, that has a special meaning to you, I will gladly meet you there. If you don’t, no problem, I know lots of magical places to shoot.
TIMING BEFORE THE SESSION
Moms are often rushing around before a photo shoot, making sure that their family is dressed and ready. If mom and dad are in the picture, I always encourage moms to spend extra time on themselves, maybe even getting their hair and makeup professionally done. This will prepare mom for her pictures and when mom is feeling pretty and confident, this will reflect on the rest of the family as well. Leave plenty of time for showers, baths, dressing, and grooming. When a family shows up to a family photo session rushed and disorganized, it sets the tone for a rushed and disorganized session. Give yourself extra time so that you are ready before it’s time to head out that door.
PREPARE THE DAD
If Dad’s are part of the session, Dads, please cheerfully participate. I know that many dads dread the family photo session, but fathers, please understand how important capturing your family is. These images will be left as a legacy, when your children are grown, with families of their own some day. Family photos are treasured forever and they are so important. Please, please, dads… cheerfully participate in your family photo session. Once you see your happy wife and amazing photographs, you will be so glad that you gave this time to your family.
KIDS
Be certain not to schedule your photo session around your child’s nap or bedtime. Besides timing, my advise is to not put too much importance on preparing the kids for the photo session. I will try to keep it a fun playdate, and thats exactly what you can tell them. Depending on their ages, it’s more important to provide comfort ahead of the session. I advise in bringing a spare outfits, snacks [no chocolate or anything that stains], and a favourite toy in case the little one needs some comfort. I also hope to capture their personality (not just a cheesy smile), so there is no need to tell them “to smile”. Please, parents… I have found parents who stand behind the photographer and scream, “Say cheese to the lady kids!” Yelling and demanding young children to look at the camera to smile will only stress your children out (not to mention the photographer) and will result in strained, unnatural and often unflattering photographs. Step back, and allow me to naturally interact and talk with your children. This will result in natural, gorgeous smiles. Help me to capture the true essence of your child’s personality by talking with and coaxing out those smiles naturally and easily. If you want to help, be silly! Here is a little checklist:
CLOTHES
The biggest challenge in getting ready for a photo session. Pinterest is a great resource to look up some outfits. I have put together a boardfor you to make it a little easier. Have your clothing chosen way in advance and make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and attractive. What do your dream family photos look like? If they are soft and elegant? Chose neutral colors with soft, flowing fabrics…. think creams, very soft pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, and slate blues. Want to showcase the fun and spunky side of your family? Choose coordinating colors (but not matchy, matchy) with bold accent colors, such as hues of gray with yellow or bright red accents. Adding fun accessories like scarves, headbands, hats, etc. can add a modern twist and sassy flair to your images. Think about all parts of the outfit, shoes and sock combinations, and not wearing hats at the beginning of the shoot. For girls, think about hair and makeup, especially if its an outdoor session, you want to make sure you have a hair tie handy.
Wardrobe – For girls, you can’t go wrong with cute dresses, rompers, and dainty hats or headbands. For boys, jeans and polos or a button-up shirt, or a T-shirt with a button-up over it can be very cute, as well as overalls on the right age and personality. For siblings, the children don’t have to match perfectly, just coordinate. You can’t go wrong with dark, rich monotones, which drive the attention in photos to sweet faces and darling expressions instead of loud prints or colors. If nothing else, pick a color that compliments your child’s eye color. Please avoid pure whites a solid blacks.
Clean, clean, clean – clean nails, clean hair, wipe away eye boogers, clean feet (sandals on kids = black feet!), wipe snotty noses, fresh-scrub teeth. The cleaner the kid, the better their photos will turn out.
Fit! Clothing should fit comfortably, not too big and not to small, preferably softer fabrics like natural cotton.
If your child is still in diapers or pull-ups, tuck’em in or wear bloomers.
If your child is still of napping age, make sure they nap before the shoot.
It is perfectly okay to bring bribes to a photo shoot – given a stage and being the center of attention, it’s like our kids know exactly when to act their worst. Some cereal,or hard candy that won’t stain teeth can help a short photo shoot go by smoothly.
Avoid colorful drinks or lollypops before the shoot, don’t let them eat or drink anything that will stain their face, teeth or mouths.
THE SESSION
I will try to keep the session entertaining for the little ones. You might find, that I am acting really weird and funny, but no worries this is part of the session. The funnier the better, it will encourage the little ones to bring out their natural smile and expression.
THEN WHAT?
After the session, I will take up to 2 weeks to pre-edits your images. If you need your images at a certain time, please let me know ahead of the session. You will then receive a link to a gallery where you can view and select your favourite images. Once you are done with your selection, I will do the final edit and provide you with two sets of files, the high resolution images and watermarked web sized images.
