Hi & Congratulations! If you are reading this you are probably either expecting or just delivered your beautiful baby...I hope by reading this I can help you prepare for your upcoming session.  Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. 

Ideally, a new born session is done within the first 2 weeks of life. The babies are still very sleepy and easier to pose into those cuddly poses you see on Pinterest and love.  I understand that sometimes life becomes so hectic that days turn into weeks, but you should really try to make it a priority to get your newborn session done as soon as possible.  They will never be that little again, all the wrinkles of extra skin and fur on their ears… the belly button and even the little pricks on their heel where they checked their bilirubin…don’t miss capturing that!  
A newborn session generally takes about 2 hours.  My studio is nursing friendly, with couches and T.V.  and I have no problem stopping for breaks to keep your little one happy and in somewhat of a milk coma. Plan on bringing extra milk with you and a pacifier if your baby takes one.  Your baby will probably pee and poop all over things during the session, because we usually have them diaper less for some of the time.  This is ok, everything I put your baby on is machine washable, so there is no need to apologize or worry.  99% of babies do it.  Just make sure you bring extra blankets or clothing in case we have a major blowout!  Before you leave home loosen their diaper just a little bit so it doesn’t leave creases on the tushy and do not have tight socks on their feet, because socks leave terrible indentations on the ankles.
Now what to bring…I have things in my studio that we can use…but I encourage you to bring things as well, to personalize your shoot.  Blankets, hats, headbands, bonnets,  booties, a plain onesie,  diaper cover, a stuffed animal,  personal items that mean something to you…for example, if Dad is a firefighter, bring his gear, and his helmet, we can lay baby in it for a special shot for him.  There are many ways to incorporate your family hobby or what you love into your shoot. If you can’t think of a way, send me a message and I will work with you to figure it out! Browse the internet & Pinterest for ideas. I do not mind if you send me examples of things you like. Everyone likes something different and this gives me an idea of what you are looking for.  Another option is having me come your home/nursery.
I also am available to come to the hospital after your baby is born to do a lifestyle session with you there.  In that type of session, we capture the first moments of you together as a family.  The nurses are usually very cooperative about assisting us with re-inking the feet for the baby book or just for fun for a photo op.  I will capture your baby in the nursery and also in your room with you, a nursing photo if you are breastfeeding, and other details about your baby’s first day or two in the world. 
Newborns in clothing…   I am not a big fan. Sleep sacks can be really cute or anything soft or knitted.  Regular people clothing, even in newborn sizes usually looks awkward in photographs. 
I always take some family photos at a newborn session.  Moms & Dads need to wear simple shirts.  You can wear whatever you want for the family shot, but when it comes to Mommy & baby and Daddy & Baby or Sibling & Baby, you need to keep it simple, no loud patterns.  A plain white, cream, light grey, or any pastels shirts look nice.  Button-ups (with a soft pattern such as small stripes), tank tops, or even a simple t-shirt is fine.  Jeans are fine.  We want to keep it basic so the baby is the focal point of the shot not the colorful shirt dad has on.  I like bare feet when posing the whole family for an indoor session.  I do not like to photograph the bottoms of people’s shoes when they are sitting.  Mom & Dad’s hands will most likely be photographed upclose for some shots, make sure your nails look nice.  I would steer away from loud polish colors.
This one is really important…siblings. I would love to take some precious photos of your newborn with big sister or big brother…but then they need to go.   If you cannot bring someone along that can take them home then bring someone along who can entertain them well while we work with your newborn. I know they might be used to the noise of their siblings at home and sleep right through it, but my studio is not home.  There are bright lights flashing in their eyes, they are exposed, sometimes lying in unfamiliar positions, it smells different and has different sounds.  

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I really want your newborn to sleep for the session.  A lot of people will say “Aww she hasn’t opened her eyes at all,” with disappointment.  Newborn eyes are usually not super photogenic.  For lack of a better phrase, they tend to look like they have glaucoma.  Filmy. They can’t see yet and when they do have their eyes open more than half the time they are cross eyed from trying to focus.  In addition to the eyes, when they are awake they are flailing their arms around or kicking their legs out if they are not dressed and swaddled.  This never looks good in a photo.  We want them all snuggled up and curled up in a little delicious baby ball. Sleep is a good thing. We have many many months and years of photos of bright eyed baby showing his/her personality, but for now its baby bunny time.  
Don’t worry about baby acne or scratches, my editing will eliminate or drastically improve these imperfections.  If your baby has really dry skin, try putting lotion on before leaving home and this will help me on the retouching process. 
Last but not least, please don’t worry about what your baby does, if she/he cries or isn’t cooperating.  I do this all the time and I have seen it all.  Try to stay calm and relaxed so the baby doesn’t sense your tension.  We have plenty of time to feed, rock, walk, soothe…there are times the baby will be fussy almost the entire time and then miraculously at the end we will end up capturing beautiful images that we thought we would never get!
The number of edited images on your CD or jump drive varies on a couple things: how well baby cooperates and tolerates the positioning and the amount of different accessories/clothing/props you bring for us to shoot with, in addition to what I have for us to use.  A typical session with have around 50 edited images for you.   I do not sell prints at this time.  A newborn session is $200. 

Since it is hard to determine when your baby will arrive, please contact as soon as you can after your give birth so I can work you into my schedule.
Thank you so much and I look forward to working with you.

I hope that I have answered any questions you might have prior to your session.  If you have any other questions you may contact me on my "What I See Photography" Facebook page, email me at carmenfoxall@gmail.com  or call me at (309) 776-4149, (309) 333-7222, and(309) 776-413.



Carmen