Newborn Session Prep Guide

A little preparation. A lot of patience. Beautiful memories of your newest little love.

Your newborn session is almost here!

Newborn sessions are intentionally relaxed and centered around your baby's comfort, safety, and individual

needs.

There is no expectation that your baby will arrive asleep, stay asleep, or follow a particular schedule.

Newborns are wonderfully unpredictable, and that's completely okay.

We'll work at your baby's pace throughout the session.

This guide will help you know what to expect, what to bring, and how to prepare before arriving at the

studio.

Before Your Session

Try to keep your routine as normal as possible on the day of your session.

There is no need to completely change your baby's feeding or sleeping schedule in an attempt to prepare

for photographs.

Every newborn responds differently, and we'll adjust the flow of the session based on what your baby needs

that day.

If possible, dress your baby in something loose, comfortable, and easy to remove before coming to the

studio. Clothing that buttons or zips open can make transitioning into the first setup easier than something

that needs to be pulled over baby's head.

Feeding Your Baby

A comfortably fed baby is often a more content baby.

Depending on your baby's feeding schedule, you may choose to feed shortly before leaving home or once

you arrive at the studio.

Please don't worry if your baby needs another feeding sooner than expected.

Feeding breaks are always welcome.

Whether your baby is breastfed, bottle-fed, formula-fed, or combination-fed, we will work around what your

baby needs.

Please bring enough feeding supplies for the time you will be away from home.

Please Don't Stress About Sleep

Your baby does not need to arrive asleep.

Some newborns settle quickly while others need more time, feeding, cuddling, or soothing before they're

ready to be photographed.

You also don't need to spend hours trying to keep your baby awake before your appointment.

Newborn sessions are designed to allow flexibility because every baby is different.

We'll take our time and follow your baby's cues.

What to Bring for Baby

I recommend bringing:

Diapers

Wipes

Feeding supplies

Extra formula or bottles, if applicable

Burp cloths

A pacifier, if your baby uses one

An extra outfit for baby

Any necessary personal baby items

A favorite or meaningful item if we have discussed incorporating one into the session

You do not need to bring photography props, wraps, blankets, or a large collection of newborn outfits

unless we have specifically planned something together.

Newborn wraps, styling pieces, and studio props appropriate for your selected session are provided.

Pacifiers

If your baby uses a pacifier, please bring it with you.

A pacifier can sometimes be helpful for brief soothing during transitions or posing.

If your baby does not normally use a pacifier, there is no requirement to introduce one specifically for the

session.

The Studio May Be Warm

The studio may be kept warmer than you're accustomed to during portions of the session, particularly

when baby is being photographed in wraps or with minimal clothing.

This helps keep your newborn comfortable while being photographed.

Parents may want to dress in layers or bring something comfortable to change into after family portraits.

Wrapped Newborn Sessions

The Wrapped Newborn Experience is centered around your baby and includes styled setups using wraps

and newborn props provided by the studio.

Your baby will remain comfortably wrapped for the photographed setups.

Because this experience is designed specifically around baby, extensive family posing and multiple newborn

outfit changes are not included.

Your baby's comfort and safety will determine the flow of the session and which setups can be successfully

created.

Full Newborn Sessions

The Full Newborn Experience allows for greater variety and may include wrapped portraits, newborn outfit

looks, partially clothed poses as baby allows, and portraits with parents and siblings.

Because Full Newborn sessions involve more transitions and family combinations, they naturally require

more flexibility.

We'll move through the planned setups based on your baby's comfort, feeding needs, and ability to settle.

Preparing for Parent Portraits

If parent portraits are included in your selected newborn experience, please arrive camera-ready.

Simple, neutral clothing tends to photograph beautifully and keeps the focus on your family and your new

baby.

Colors such as:

Cream • White • Beige • Tan • Brown • Black • Soft Neutrals

generally coordinate beautifully with newborn portraiture.

Avoid large logos, distracting graphics, neon colors, and very busy patterns unless they are intentionally

part of your planned look.

Parents do not need to match exactly. Coordinating tones usually photograph better than identical outfits.

Preparing Siblings

If siblings are participating in your Full Newborn Experience, please have them arrive dressed and ready for

their portraits.

Young children are not expected to sit quietly throughout an entire newborn session.

Sibling and family portraits may be photographed at the point in the session that gives us the best

opportunity for success.

For younger siblings, consider bringing:

A simple snack

A drink

A favorite quiet activity

A comfort item

A change of clothing if needed

Please avoid snacks or drinks that may heavily stain the mouth, teeth, hands, or clothing immediately

before photographs.

Newborn Skin

Flaky skin, redness, tiny scratches, baby acne, peeling, and other newborn skin characteristics are very

common.

Please don't feel that your baby's skin needs to look "perfect" for photographs.

Professional editing is included and temporary skin distractions may be softened as appropriate while

maintaining the natural appearance and characteristics of your baby.

My goal is to create polished newborn portraits while still allowing your baby to look like your baby.

Baby-Led Posing & Safety

Your baby's safety and comfort always come before creating a particular pose or photograph.

Not every newborn will comfortably settle into every pose or tolerate every setup.

I will never force your baby into a position simply to achieve a particular image.

Posing, wrapping, and setups may be adjusted based on your baby's age, size, comfort, flexibility, alertness,

and individual needs on the day of the session.

Because of this, specific poses or exact recreations of inspiration images cannot be guaranteed.

Inspiration Images

You're always welcome to share images from my newborn portfolio that you're especially drawn to.

This helps me understand the colors, styling, poses, and overall look you love.

Outside inspiration images may also be shared as a creative reference, but they are used as inspiration

rather than an exact recreation.

Every baby is different, and your final session will be created specifically for your little one.

How Long Will My Session Take?

Newborn session times can vary.

Some babies settle quickly, while others need additional feeding, soothing, changing, or cuddling

throughout the session.

Rather than rushing your baby to fit within a rigid timeline, we'll work at a comfortable pace appropriate for

your selected newborn experience.

Please avoid scheduling something immediately following your newborn session whenever possible.

Feeding, Changing & Cuddling Breaks

They are normal.

Really.

If your baby needs to eat, we'll pause.

If your baby needs a diaper change, we'll change them.

If your baby simply needs Mom or Dad for a few minutes, that's okay too.

These moments are part of working with newborns and are expected during your session.

If Baby or Someone in Your Family Is Sick

Newborns are especially vulnerable during their first weeks of life.

If your baby, you, a sibling, or another participating family member develops symptoms of illness before

your appointment, please contact me before coming to the studio.

We can discuss the situation and determine the safest next step.

Please never feel that you need to bring a sick newborn or family member to the studio simply because you

have an appointment scheduled.

Before You Leave Home

A quick checklist:

Diapers

Wipes

Feeding supplies

Extra bottles/formula if applicable

Burp cloths

Pacifier if used

Extra baby outfit

Parent wardrobe if participating

Sibling wardrobe if participating

Snacks/activities for young siblings

Any personal item we have previously discussed

Plenty of patience — newborns make the schedule!

When You Arrive

Please arrive on time for your scheduled appointment.

There is no need to arrive significantly early unless we have arranged an earlier arrival time.

Once you're here, we'll get settled, review the plan for your session, and adjust as needed based on how

your baby is doing.

And if your baby cries, needs to eat, doesn't immediately fall asleep, or decides to do things completely

differently than we planned?

That's okay.

Newborn sessions are about working with your baby—not expecting your baby to work around the session.

I'll guide you through the entire experience.

I can't wait to meet your newest little love.

Candy Bagwell Photography LLC

Where photography meets art.