What To Expect From A Studio Newborn Photoshoot
A Studio Newborn Photoshoot – What To Expect
If you’re looking for an Ilkley newborn photographer and wondering what actually happens during a studio newborn photoshoot, this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect. You can find more information about my newborn photography sessions here: newborn photographer in Ilkley
Booking a newborn photoshoot can sometimes be a little nerve-wracking, especially for your first baby. Often, when my clients come to the studio for their newborn session, it’s the first time they’ve left the house since baby arrived.
So here’s everything you need to know about what you should expect if you book in for a newborn photoshoot in our Ilkley photography studio. To help you look forward to your session and to take away any last minute worries.
Arriving At The Studio
Before your newborn photoshoot, you’ll get a detailed email telling you exactly how to find the Ilkley studio and recommendations on where to park. There is ample parking around the studio and good public transport links. The studio is on the first floor, so I do recommend leaving big bulky prams at home and just bringing baby up in a carseat or carried.
You’ll arrive for 10am and immediately, that’s where the relaxation begins. The studio will be warm, homely and inviting. You take a seat on the comfy sofa, I’ll get you a tea, coffee, water, juice, can of pop – whatever you fancy. Whilst I’m getting you a cuppa, I’ll ask you to take baby down to their nappy – ready for me to either pose them naked, in an outfit or wrapped up in one of my special newborn wraps. If at this point, they wake up and need a top up feed, that’s no problem at all. We’re aiming to get baby milk-drunk so that once I start photographing, they’re fast asleep & content!
The Photoshoot
Whilst you relax on the sofa and enjoy what might be the first *actually* hot beverage you’ve had in a while, I’ll get started photographing your newborn!
I use a range of colours, props and styles during your babies photoshoot. I like to do posing table images for the classic and simple newborn images where your baby really is the star of the show. I’ll add in a couple of props and some super cute wraps, hats, bonnets etc (if you’re happy for me to!) to get you the most gorgeous gallery of images.
If you’re happy to be in some images, I’ll guide you through exactly what to do, how to pose and you’ll get professional images of you with your brand new baby that will be cherished by you, and your child as they get older.
Patience Is Key
Some of the poses take time to gently relax baby into. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to those little fingers and toes looking just right so I do spend a while getting the pose perfect, so that you get the best possible images. A lot of parents comment that I have the patience of a saint! But truth be told – I LOVE it.
Everything I do is with baby’s comfort and happiness at the forefront. All the images I do, I’ve been trained to do properly by an expert newborn photography educator and I have a keen focus on baby’s safety throughout the entire session.
I have a ton of tricks to keep baby settled, happy and sleepy throughout the photoshoot.
The Sleeping Parent
Because I’m looking after baby for the whole photoshoot, and the room is warm, the white noise is going and the atmosphere is very relaxed, I often look up and see parents flat out asleep on the sofa! Which I take as the biggest compliment ever, and lots of parents comment on how nice it is to let someone else care for baby for a while. I have wifi at the studio for you to join, you’re welcome to bring a book or just have a good old scroll on socials – it really is an extremely relaxing experience for parents.
What Happens Next?
Once I feel I’ve got a great gallery of images, I’ll wrap up the session. Often at this point, parents will put a fresh nappy on the baby and give them a feed. There is never any rush to leave the studio and I’ll happily chat with you through the price list and product options at this time.
After the photoshoot, I select the best images to curate a perfect gallery which I’ll then edit over the next 1-2 weeks. After this time, you’ll be invited back to the studio to see your beautiful images and decide on your package/products.
And that’s it! That’s the entire studio newborn photoshoot process.
A lot of clients come back to me for “sitter session” when baby is sitting up on their own, or a Cake Smash Photoshoot to celebrate their first birthday. I also do offer a discount if you go for all 3 sessions in the first year.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about a studio newborn photoshoot!
If you’re looking for a relaxed and baby-led newborn photographer in Ilkley,I’d love to welcome you to the studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Siblings are absolutely welcome to come to the photoshoot. I recommend bringing them at the start or the end of the session to be in some images. I don’t recommend siblings being present during the entire photoshoot as it’s often too long a time to expect kids to sit and behave.
Do NOT worry at all about that. I have lots of tricks to help get baby to be sleepy but equally I’ve had babies who simply don’t want to sleep! We can still get lots of gorgeous images of your baby if they are awake.
You can book in as early as your 12 weeks scan. A lot of clients book a “floating date” which is a pencilled in date around 1 week after their due date. This is booked in with the understanding that it can be moved should baby come early or late. If baby is already here, you want to try and be in within their first 3 weeks.
I recommend neutral tones or soft colours. Nothing too bold, no distracting big patterns or large logos. I’d suggest all family members try and keep in a similar colour scheme for cohesiveness within your images.