Newborn Session Prep Guide
Welcome!
Thank you for booking your newborn portrait session with Amanda Starr Photography!
I absolutely love photographing newborns! I look forward to meeting you and your little one and capturing your baby's first pictures.
My Studio Address is 1305 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids Iowa 52404
There is parking the alley as well as on the side and in front of the building. Please enter through the yellow door on the side.
My Cell Phone Number is (319) 521-2234 Please call or text if you are having trouble finding the studio or if you are running behind.
Remember a full newborn session is up to 3 hours.
In order for the baby to sleep well, I keep the studio around 80-85 degrees. I suggest wearing layers in case you get too warm!
I encourage you to take this time to sit back and relax!
Your session balance is due prior to your session. If you need to work out payment plans please let me know and I am happy to do that for you. All sessions fees should be paid prior to your session.
Preparing For Your Newborn Session
The Day of your Session:
Try and keep your baby awake for at least an hour before the session. I suggest undressing and talking to the baby, maybe even a quick bath!
Dress baby in a sleeper only - nothing that has to be taken off over babies head. Then feed your baby right before you leave.
When you arrive, bring baby in the car seat into the studio and then we will get baby out once they are in the warm space.
I will go over how the session will unfold and the choices in props/colors. When we are ready to begin, I will take baby out of the car seat and proceed with posing. This allows baby to stay asleep a little longer from the car ride and I can gently take him/her out with minimal disturbance.
Parent, Family and Sibling Poses
Family Poses
Be prepared to be in photos with your baby. Colors that photograph best are neutral colors tan, light pink, grey, white, ivory, brown, etc. Feel free to pull in simple patterns like florals, simple stripes, and textured fabrics. Try and avoid super bright and neon colors because they can reflect on your skin and babies skin.
Siblings
Family and sibling poses will be shot first and then plan to have one parent or a family member take them home. That way they don't get bored and we focus the rest of the session on individual pictures of the baby. There are times when siblings are not interested in the baby or taking pictures with the baby. I will try my best to allow for siblings to warm up so that a safe image can be taken with the new baby. Safety is my priority! I cannot guarantee a successful sibling pose!
What to Bring
- Change of clothes for baby to go home in
- Pacifier - Please bring a pacifier to your session.
It is sometimes needed when baby is still happy and sleepy but the pose we are doing requires baby to touch their face. This can startle the rooting reflex and wake baby up, preventing us from getting the picture. Having the pacifier close by, I can give it to baby just long enough to get them soothed and asleep again for the shot. Not all babies will be happy in all poses, even with a pacifier, I cannot guarantee every pose.
- Extra milk or be ready to breasfeed when/if baby needs a snack
- Extra diapers and wipes
- Extra burp rags
- Plush blanket with their smell on it