How to keep newborn sessions Peaceful and Calm!
I have been told that my newborn sessions almost feel like a spa day… Really? How can that be? Aren’t newborn sessions supposed to be nerve wracking and 4 hours long??? I say NOPE!!!
Years ago my newborn sessions were a bit on the stressful side… I loved doing them so very much that my heart literally was pounding! But oh boy would I ever get nervous! I found the more I felt nervous the more the baby and parents could feel that energy…
Now 14 years later I know what I am doing and every one of my newborn sessions are cozy calm and no longer than 2 hours! I do these sweet sessions either at my studio or at the family’s home. I prep my client before by meeting in person or on zoom/facetime. It’s so important to connect before and have tea together! Get to know her and all of her dreams and wishes! The day before my shoot I always check in and make sure they are all set and feeling good.
The night before my newborn session I make sure to get a great sleep by dousing myself in lavender! 😉 I give myself plenty of time to get to my studio or the family’s home. I play calm music and sip my coffee. Upon arriving I keep breathing and thinking only positive thoughts. The most important thing I do is remind myself that these photographs are going to be some of the most cherished things for this family! That’s not to get myself nervous but more so to remind myself that what I am doing is important and valuable! This family has chosen me, trusting me, with their most important photographs of their newly born child! That alone gets me so excited that I could burst!
If the sessions are at my studio I set the mood such as a spa! Candle, lavender diffusing, cucumber infused water, fresh fruit. I encourage the mama to use our pillows and blankets and take a nap. I help the family into the studio with bags and carseat all while oooh and ahhh over baby! It’s all genuine and how I feel about my clients. I know so well how those first weeks feel and how just feeling like someone cares can do so much!
If the sessions are at the family’s home I connect the day before just making sure things are all set and ok. I remind the family they don’t have to clean or get fancy! I will care for them once I get there and make sure if mama needs to brush her hair or put on some lipstick, I remind her. I always clear off night stands and if a basket is in the way or a phone cord I just let them know I’m rearranging their home. All while keeping calm and breathing deeply. On my way to their home I text or call to ask what kind of coffee they would like for me to get them? It’s just nice to let them know I am caring about them and this will all be calm and beautiful!
My sessions start if baby is awake in the family’s arms usually in their bed or on a sofa. If baby is sleeping then I swaddle baby and place on bed or in crib or just some place safe, cozy and well lit. Just the rhythm of my shoots is always pleasant and nurturing. If baby needs a diaper changed we take a break and flow back into the session as it happens.
I always remind my families to feed baby ½ hour before arriving or just before you leave your home to come to me. Take your time feeding DO NOT RUSH THIS! Then make sure to get a burp from baby! Most times on arrival baby is sleeping and we start with baby and the soothing baby ones turn in to amazing family shots!
Just keep a caring genuine heart and all around will feel that and relax as well! Resulting in beautiful newborn portraits!
xoxo
Kollene
Kollene
