How to Get the Most Out Your Newborn Photoshoot

What many new parents don’t realise is that the newborn phase is just that–a phase. They power through the haze of sleepless nights and endless diaper changes, their days marked by delirious happiness or extreme exhaustion. Then in a blink of an eye, its over, and your helpless little angel is now a rambunctious toddler turning your house upside down.

When you are in the thick of the newborn stage, you don’t think much beyond the next week. You are in deep survival mode, only capable of processing what you need to do today and the next day. If you ask a new parent what their first few months of life were like for them and the new baby, they probably won’t be able to answer except to tell you that they survived it.

A great way to capture those precious first moments of your baby’s life is to hire a newborn photographer. They are better than a relative taking a blurry snapshot on a camera phone. You can have professional lit, styled, and photographed keepsakes that you will want to look back on for many years to come.

Get the Most Out Your Newborn Photoshoot tips

If you are considering newborn photography, here are a few tips you can follow to get the most out of your newborn photoshoot:

Look for a photographer in your third trimester

When it comes to professional photographers, the best ones book out fast! Since you can’t move your due date around, planning advance can ensure you get to work with the newborn photographer that you want. A capable photographer knows how to work with delicate babies safely, and they have the patience to get the shots just right. If you don’t book one in advance, chances are the one you won’t be available on short notice.

Schedule it during the first two weeks

The first couple of weeks are when your newborn is mostly asleep. It makes it easier for you to get them to hold still for photos. Older babies will not stay still and may easily be distracted or agitated by strange noises and bright lights. You won’t want to have an album full of crying or grumpy photos of your newborn.

Pick a time during your baby’s longest daytime nap

While your baby will be mostly asleep, they can tend to be fussy during their awake times. Choose a schedule during your child’s longest stretch of daytime sleep, if it is at least one hour or more. You may need more time than one hour, but at least the first one gets you enough time to get some good photos before you need to take a break for feeding and nappy changes.

An experienced newborn photographer will give you ample time to get the most out of your newborn photoshoot no matter how long you get in front of the camera!

Skip the costumes, use heirloom clothes

While it may look cute to dress up your child in costumes, you can make the photos more meaningful and memorable by using unique clothes that have been passed down or gifted to you. Perhaps your parents kept your baby clothes which can be tailored to fit your new baby. You can also have an outfit fashioned from a wedding dress or dress shirt. There are many ways to dress up your baby for the occasion, but personal pieces will make it unique and give you a beautiful story to tell your child someday.

Do it at home

If you have space, have your photos taken at home. You will have more flexibility, you won’t have to bring your entire arsenal of baby gear, and you will be more comfortable as a family. Photographers can bring equipment like lighting and backdrops, that will be a much easier feat than transporting an entire nursery. This is probably the easiest way to get the most out of your newborn photography.

When you emerge from the stupor of the newborn stage with beautiful, professionally-taken photographs, you will be grateful that you had the foresight to plan for it. Scheduling a photo shoot might seem like the last thing you want to do when you are covered in milk and surrounded by diapers. However, you will come to realise that the season is fleeting and you will only have a small window to capture those precious first days with your child.

 

Are you looking for a newborn photographer in Adelaide? We can help you immortalise the most important milestones of your life. We specialise in wedding, family, and newborn photography services. Don’t let the opportunity to create beautiful memories slip by. Call us to schedule an appointment.