LIFESTYLE NEWBORN SESSION PREP GUIDE
Thank you so much for booking your newborn session, I am so excited to work with you!
I have developed this guide based on my 11+ years experience working with newborns. My hope for you is to feel prepared so that we can have a smooth newborn session. I highly suggest reviewing this guide with your partner so that everyone has an understanding of how the session will run. Many are very surprised at how much time & patience will be required, so it’s best that you are both prepared and know what to expect.
If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Please fill out the questionnaire at your earliest convenience. If you have certain colors in mind, a specific prop (or two), or even dislikes - this is where you should put that info! I want to stylize the session around your preferences, so please be as detailed as possible.
STUDIO LOCATION
8916 CREEKDALE RD, SYLVANIA, OH 43560
PLEASE NOTE: It is new construction, so the address may not show up on GPS. You can use “Brint Crossing Blvd, Sylvania, OH 43560” instead. This will bring you to the entrance of my neighborhood and you will follow that road all the way to the very back and it will eventually turn onto Creekdale.
3 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL NEWBORN SESSION
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A well fed baby is the #1 key to having a great session! In order to achieve those adorable poses, we will want your baby to be very sleepy and in a dreamy “milk coma” state (it is just about impossible to pose an awake/alert baby). It is also important to keep in mind that all of that posing & moving burns a lot of calories and can really work up quite an appetite! Therefore, it is likely that your baby may need to eat more frequently than a typical day at home.
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Another key element to having a successful newborn session is a VERY WARM room! The studio will be heated up to help your baby stay comfortable & sleepy throughout the session. Feel free to step out to cool off & get some fresh air at any time!
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Keep in mind that newborn sessions require time & patience and cannot be rushed. If your baby isn’t being super cooperative, just try to stay relaxed. I am in no hurry and will take whatever time is needed!
WHAT TO BRING
A full pack of wipes
Extra diapers
Burp cloth
Pacifier/soothie
Extra formula or breast milk (unless you are exclusively breastfeeding)
BEFORE THE SESSION
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DRESSING BABY
Please do not dress baby in a onesie/outfit that has to be pulled over their head. This is a sure fire way to wake up your little one! Instead, please dress them in button down/zipper sleeper.
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FEEDING
If possible, try waiting until just before you leave to feed your baby so that they arrive full & sleepy. If needed, you can feed baby again once you arrive. If you are breastfeeding, bringing pumped milk is a great time saver if you have some — that said, please do not worry about going out of your way to pump milk just for the session. You can absolutely nurse for as long as needed!
WHAT TO EXPECT
When you arrive, you are welcome to park in the driveway and I will be there to greet you at the door. While I am so appreciative of you being on time, please do not come to the door more than 5 minutes before your session time. Once inside, I ask that you remove your shoes before entering the studio so that we can keep it as clean & sanitary as possible. Please take a seat and feel free to help yourself to the provided snacks & water
Due to the time required for soothing, feedings & posing, you can expect to be at the studio for about 1-2 hours. That said, more time may be required if baby is feeling fussy/gassy/cluster feeding/etc. I am very patient and it is not a problem if your little one needs some extra time!
Keep in mind that your newborn session is not a time for family (grandparents, aunts, friends, etc) to come along. I understand everyone is very excited about the new baby, however, my studio is quite small (and very hot!) with only enough seating for 2 people.
Since the studio will be heated quite toasty, we will start the session with all parent and/or sibling poses. After family poses are done, baby is the star of the show! We will go over all of the colors, props & accessories that I pulled and that point you will have the opportunity to make any changes (if desired).
I have a posing flow that I use for every session and I aim to get as many setups & poses as possible. That said, newborn sessions are baby led, meaning your baby may not want to do every pose - and that’s okay! If your baby doesn’t seem to like a certain pose, I will not force them and we will just move onto the next thing.
You are more than welcome to take behind-the-scenes photos & videos during your session! I love it when you post them & tag @sweetbloomphotography. If you happen to get any good ones of me working with your baby, please send them to me!
AFTER THE SESSION
After your session is over, the real work starts for me! I will begin retouching your images to perfection, including basic touch ups on the skin (scratches, blemishes, etc). I leave stork bites & birthmarks as they are, however, if you would like things of this nature removed, just let me know.
You can expect to receive your online gallery no later than 3 weeks after the day of your session. Unless 3 weeks has already passed, I ask that you please do not contact me about the status of your photos. I promise I am working as quickly as possible to get your gallery to you - I really appreciate your patience!
When posting your images on Facebook & Instagram, it would mean the world to me if you tag or credit Sweet Bloom Photography! I am a small business and doing that little gesture is so, so appreciated. Thank you in advance for doing so!
You will have 14 days to download your photos and purchase any desired professional & heirloom quality photo products. Make sure you download your images to at least 2 locations (not just take screenshots) and then backup to an online service such as Google Photos (free!) or Amazon Photos (free with Prime)
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PAYMENT
Payment of your remaining balance is due the day of your session. I accept cash only (no checks please - Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, etc are also not accepted forms of payment).
Please remember that late payments will result in a delay of receiving your online gallery.
I love how neutrals photograph with my bright & airy studio! A neutral color palette is soft & timeless and will look great when displayed on the walls of your home.
Light colors like white/cream, tan/oatmeal, and light grey help create a soft & airy feel to your family photos. If you want something a little more colorful, I suggest soft colors like blush/mauve/powder blue/sage/etc or earth tones like rust/olive/mocha/etc. Black is always a classic, too! Since my studio is all white, you really can’t go wrong with most colors.
I highly recommend avoiding stripes & bold plaids, as well as tops with logos/words.
It can be helpful to bring a change of comfortable clothes to wear after family poses are done. You will be at the (hot!) studio for a couple hours, so I want you to be as comfortable as possible for the remainder of the session.
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Favorite Places to Shop:
BALTIC BORN
JOYFOLIE
FREE PEOPLE
ANTHROPOLOGIE
VICI
ALTAR’D STATE
JAMIE KAY
NORALEE
H&M
ZARA
YOUNG SIBLINGS
It is important to keep in mind that toddlers & young children may not be the most cooperative subject for holding a newborn. I am super silly and will do everything in my power to make them excited to take photos with their new little sibling. That said, sometimes we need to be open-minded when it comes to photographing your toddler & newborn together - I want to make sure your newborn is kept safe at all times.
Please do not allow children to wander around the house or touch/handle my props & accessories.
After poses with siblings are done, I ask that you please arrange for your spouse/family member/friend/etc to take siblings out for the remainder of the session. 2 hours is a really long time to keep toddlers & young children entertained and quiet in a very small & hot space! Pacesetter Park is directly behind my house, Playland & Funagins are less than 5 minutes away, or they can grab lunch in town.
CUSTOM PHOTO PRODUCTS
I offer much more than your standard prints + canvas that you can get from pretty much anywhere. I work with some amazing vendors that create beautiful & unique products that are only available to purchase through a professional photographer. Handmade wood photo blocks, hanging canvas prints, custom wood ornaments, hand crafted photo jewelry, and more!
You can purchase photo products like these directly from your online gallery.
MILESTONE MINIS
DID YOU KNOW MILESTONE MINI SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE AS A PERK TO NEWBORN CLIENTS ONLY?
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These sessions are the perfect opportunity to document each milestone as your baby grows! Typically done at 3 months/tummy time, 6-9 months/sitting unassisted, and of course at 1 year
20 minute mini session of baby only in 1 outfit
Choice of studio or outdoors
Minimum of 10 beautifully retouched images to download
Outfits + props provided
$100 non-refundable retainer due at booking
LET’S GET SOCIAL!
I love sharing behind-the-scenes, what I’m currently working on, announcements and more!
