Newborn Session Preparation Guide for In Studio & At Home Sessions

This newborn session preparation guide has been created to help you after you’ve already booked a newborn session with Raindancer Studios by paying your session fee deposit & completing an online session contract and questionnaire. Hopefully these tips helps you to feel better prepared for your newborn session! Look below to find a list of tips for in studio newborn sessions and a separate list of tips for at home newborn sessions. If you have any questions as you prepare for your session, please contact Jill!

In Studio Newborn Session Tips

1. Contact Jill– Contact Jill by email (raindancerstudios@gmail.com) or call/text (317-374-8713) within 48 hours after delivery of your baby to set the date and time of your photo session. Newborns are typically photographed within the first 7-10 days of life.
2. Feed baby beforehand– Feed your baby before your session if possible so that he/she will be ready to go or request to arrive early. You may arrive early to feed in the studio 30 mins prior to session start time. If you wish to do so, arrange it ahead of time. Starting with a full tummy is a high priority! Please have an extra bottle available for a quicker feed if necessary in the middle of a session or be prepared to nurse if a bottle is not an option and baby gets hungry!
3. Dress baby– Travel with baby in a button up sleeper for easy removal upon arrival. Many photos are taken either naked, partially naked, or wrapped in swaddle wraps that are in the studio. If you wish to use an outfit in the session, ensure it is the proper fit before the session.
4. Bring pacifier– Bring a pacifier with you (even if you don’t want to use one normally.) It sometimes can help soothe the baby as I’m positioning him/her and help the baby to fall asleep quicker for me while posing. Dress the baby in an easy zip up or button up outfit to make the transition easier for the baby.
5. Bring personal items– Feel free to bring along personal items or props from home with you, such as a blanket, hat, hairbands, personalized name items, basket, crate, etc. Headbands, wraps, blankets, and props are available in the studio.
6. 80 degrees or warmer– Be prepared to enter a warm studio of 80 degrees! Parents/sibling photos can be done first so feel free to bring a t-shirt/tank top or another comfy outfit to change into. The warm studio will help the baby to sleep better.
7. 2-3 hours– Studio sessions can take an average of 2-3 hours depending on the baby’s needs. Your baby is the boss so don’t be stressed if it takes a while. Feel free to bring something to do or be prepared to rest and relax during the session!
8. Bring helper for siblings– If a sibling is under 5 years old, I ask that you bring someone to babysit/entertain or take siblings home when their portion of the photos are done. The newborn only portion can take some time depending on the baby’s needs. Sometimes this portion can take more than 1 hr. I do have a waiting room so you can also feel free to bring toys or items that will keep your other kiddos entertained. Often times smaller siblings can get cranky after being in the warm studio for a long time.
9. What to wear– Simple clothing is better for newborn photos to not distract from the baby being the focus of the photos. Refer to the What To Wear Guide for more tips regarding clothing. Do not stress about clothing! Jill is available and loves to help advise you regarding clothing. Feel free to call, text, or email photos and Jill can help you make decisions.
10. Family session tips– If parents or siblings are involved in photos, read through the Family Session Prep Guide for additional preparation tips to help you have a less stressful photography experience.
11. 2-3 weeks– Online photo viewing galleries are delivered by email within 2-3 weeks after your photo session.

At Home Newborn Session Tips

1. Contact Jill– Contact Jill by email (raindancerstudios@gmail.com) or call/text (317-374-8713) within 48 hours after delivery of your baby to set the date and time of your photo session. Newborns are typically photographed within the first 7-10 days of life.
2. Feed baby beforehand in diaper only– Feed your baby (in diaper only draped with a blanket) right before your session if possible so that he/she will be ready to go. Please have an extra bottle available for a quick feed if necessary in the middle of a session or be prepared to nurse if a bottle is not an option and baby gets hungry! Starting with a full tummy is a high priority! Please have an extra bottle available for a quicker feed if necessary in the middle of a session or be prepared to nurse if a bottle is not an option and baby gets hungry!
3. Have pacifier– Have a pacifier available (even if you don’t want to use one normally.) It sometimes can help soothe the baby as I’m positioning him/her and help the baby to fall asleep quicker for me while posing.
4. Gather personal items– Feel free to gather personal items or props for me before I arrive, such as a blanket, hat, hairbands, personalized name items, basket, crate, etc. I do bring wraps and headbands with me. If you would like a particular prop brought please communicate that in advance. I will explore the house upon arrival for additional ideas.
5. Warm house– Please maintain your house temperature closer to 75-80 degrees.  You can also turn on a space heater before I arrive in the room you would like photos taken. The warm space will help the baby to sleep and be cozy if naked or partially naked. I will try to bring a space heater along!
6. Clean areas for photos– Do not stress over making your entire house tidy and clean. Look in the areas of your home you feel are best for photos (could be bedrooms, baby nursery, or living room) and tidy only those areas. Make beds and move items sitting out that make it feel cluttered. We can also shift items and declutter as we go! I try to choose rooms in the house with the most window light!
7. 2-3 hours– Home sessions can take an average of 2-3 hours depending on the baby’s needs.  Your baby is the boss so don’t be stressed if it takes a while. Feel free to rest and relax during the session!
8. Extra hands for siblings– If there are any siblings under 5 years old, it’s helpful to have extra hands to help at the session to meet their needs and keep them occupied when they are not in photos. The newborn only portion can take some time depending on the baby’s needs. Sometimes this portion can take more than 1 hr. I typically start the session with family and sibling shots so any other kids are done first. An extra helper can help the kids to keep the noise to a minimum for the baby only photos.
9. What to wear– Simple clothing is better for newborn photos to not distract from the baby being the focus of the photos. Refer to the What To Wear Guide for more tips regarding clothing. Do not stress about clothing! Jill is available and loves to help advise you regarding clothing. Feel free to call, text, or email photos and Jill can help you make decisions
10. Family session tips– If parents or siblings are involved in photos, read through the Family Session Prep Guide for additional preparation tips to help you have a less stressful photography experience.
11. 2-3 weeks– Online photo viewing galleries are delivered by email within 2-3 weeks after your photo session.

*To gather ideas for your upcoming newborn session look at the most recent Raindancer Studios blog posts.

Jill Howell is a lifestyle newborn, family and children photographer in Indianapolis.  Click on the following links for more info about Jill & to contact her for a photo session!