Getting Ready For Your Newborn Session
When you book a Newborn session with Tiny Wonder, all you really need to do is bring yourself, your new little one, and any diaper or feeding supplies you may need! Everything else is ready and waiting for you in the studio.
Here are just a few tips that can help your baby’s newborn session go as smoothly as possible.
- Feed Baby Before You Leave
Ideally, your little one will be sleepy and ready to take a snooze for an hour or so during their session. Keeping baby awake for a long stretch then feeding them right before you leave home to head to the studio can help BIG TIME.
That being said… I’ve been doing this for nearly 17 yrs and I’m also a mom to 2 of my own ‘tiny wonders’… so do NOT STRESS over this.
If baby needs to eat at ANY point during your newborn session, that is totally fine. We take our time and go by baby’s pace.
2. Bring a Pacifier and Extra Milk
Plan to pack whatever feeding supplies baby may need… and a pacifier can really be helpful at times. I always have brand new, sterilized pacifiers in the studio for baby to use if you lost, forgot, misplaced or just spaced on it!
3. Dress baby in a One Piece Sleeper
How should I dress my baby? Most of the time, when you arrive at the studio, baby is sound asleep in their carseat from the car ride. I will ever so slowly and gently take them out of their carseat.
An easy to remove one piece sleeper outfit makes this a breeze!
4. Pack Diaper Bag & Feel Free to Pump At the Studio
Often, a newborn session will be one of your first outings after baby is born. Plan to bring your diaper bag & anything else that makes your life easy on that day.
The studio is strictly a new mom & newborn space. I keep it fully stocked with blankets, diapers, wipes, sanitized pacifiers, breast pads, and more. So if you forgot something, don’t stress! And if you need to pump or breastfeed or even take a nap, you are always welcome to.
5. Plan Neutral Colors for Family Photos
The golden rule with family photos is that neutral colors tend to work best. This way, your portraits will always go with your decor in your nursery or home.
6. Sibling & Family Photos Happen First
After 16 years of being a Newborn Photographer, I’ve truly seen it all. In my experience, starting with sibling photos, then moving onto family photos works the absolute best. ESPECIALLY with younger children.
The plan for your Newborn session will be to start with sibling & newborn photos, which usually takes about 20-30 minutes. Then we move on to family photos, which is generally another 20-30 minutes, give or take. Then it’s time for baby’s photos. This way you can all sit back and relax in our cozy waiting area once family photos are done. Or bring older siblings home or to school, etc.
Sometimes, depending on how close you live to the studio, families plan to have siblings brought home or to a nearby park, library or coffee shop by a parent/grandparent/sitter afterwards. This way, we can focus on your newborn’s individual portraits for the rest of the session.
Local Coffee Shops, Parks & Library
Narragansett Library- Maury Loontjens Library
The Narragansett Library is just a 5 minute drive from the studio and has a WONDERFUL and huge Childrens room.
Sprague Park is a fantastic playground with lots of open green space to run and play or enjoy a picnic lunch and it’s just a short 5 minute drive from Tiny Wonder Photography studio. Here’s some more info on Sprague Park: Spend a day at Sprague!
Christofaro Playground
Another great option is Christofaro Playground, which you may have passed on your way to the studio! It’s another quick drive, maybe 5 minutes tops, from the studio. It’s also right near a few great local spots for coffee, baked goods, bagels and sandwiches: the Coffee & Bagel Connection or Fuel Coffee.
7. Do I need to bring all the adorable hats and headbands?
Nope- I’ve got it all at the studio!
Everything you see in the pictures on my website is available to use during your baby’s Newborn session. My collection of newborns props has really grown over the years!
From custom made headbands, floral crowns, hats, outfits, swaddles, and backdrops, I have it all here.
And that’s about it! If you have any other questions- just reach out. My goal is for you to feel 100% at ease during your little one’s Newborn session.
The first few weeks of your baby’s life is a wonderful and overwhelmingly exhausting time for new parents, and my priority as your Newborn photographer is to keep you and your newborn supported and comfortable.
To book a session with Tiny Wonder Photography contact me here or send me an email anytime! Lauren@TinyWonderPhotography.com
