Five days after our daughter, Adeline, was born, a newborn photographer came to our house to do a lifestyle shoot. In my mind these pictures would flow easily, there’d be nothing but unicorns and rainbows, and we’d be done in an hour.
Wow, was I wrong! Our photographer showed up right on time and she was greeted by me in yoga pants and a tank top. Because for some reason I thought I could wake up an hour before shoot time and be ready to go. Rookie mistake number one.
I welcomed her in and introduced her to Adeline and Tate, while I quickly rushed to our room to change. I had a couple non-maternity outfits in mind that I assumed I’d just easily squeeze back into, so why take the time to try on said outfits before? Rookie mistake number two. I put on the first shirt and didn’t even pull it all the way down before knowing it was not. going. to. work. I think I tried another non-maternity outfit again before realizing I just needed to pick my favorite maternity clothes and be done with it. And Spanx. Highly suggest Spanx.
As pictures got rolling, I kept noticing how hot I was. Most photographers suggest turning up your heat so that baby stays warm, but for some reason I thought it would be a great idea to put on two layers for pictures. Rookie mistake number three. Did I mention these pictures took place in June when it was around 80 degrees? So if you’d like a nice forehead glisten for your pictures, wear lots of layers.
The Realness
Let me just give you a couple quick tips so your experience is a little more seamless (and less sweaty):
1. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready. This might mean scheduling pictures mid morning. If you can, try and have baby eat just before pictures start, so remember to add time for that. It’s also normal to have to take a break for a feeding during the session.
2. Try on your outfit beforehand if there’s a chance it won’t fit. And know that it might be a maternity outfit! I also might suggest wearing a longer sleeve if you’re worried about the size of your arms.
3. Photographers usually suggest taking pictures when baby is between five days and two weeks old. I would suggest leaning more towards two weeks for a couple reasons. One, your new little family is in more of a routine so you will have a better idea of how long you need to get ready. Two, this gives mama a little extra time for some swelling to come down if she had a lot of fluids during delivery or for her to feel a little more like herself.
4. Do your best not to stress out. Your photographer has likely done newborn shoots before, so they’re used to being peed/pooped on, stopping for feeds, and uncooperative babies.
Thankfully our shoots with babies two and three were much less stressful. I had a better idea of what to wear and it didn’t include fourteen layers. I knew what to expect with feedings, and I gave myself plenty of time to get ready.
I’m also so very thankful our photographers for Adeline, Hank, and Grace were so great. They made our whole family feel so comfortable and were very patient.
I’d love to hear how you thought your newborn session would go compared to how it actually went in the comments below! Or if you’re one of those lucky people who actually did get rainbows and unicorns during your session, how did you do it?!
twss,
Kelsey
