Preparing for the best newborn photos
One of the most common questions I get is “How do we prepare for our newborn photo session?”. The first and perhaps most important step is to reserve your session during your third trimester. Newborns are best photographed under 2 weeks old so these sessions are very time sensitive. You want to be sure that your photographer knows to keep some room in his or her schedule for your new addition! If you haven’t heard, babies can’t read calendars – your photographer will need to know baby’s due date so that they can leave some wiggle room a couple of weeks before and after baby’s estimated arrival. Once you’ve reserved your newborn session, I recommend contacting your photographer before you leave the hospital to let him or her know that baby is here so you can solidify your date.
Important tips for a successful session:
-If breastfeeding, please be mindful of what you eat the day of and day before – we don’t want baby’s tummy to be upset!
-Baby should be fed just prior to the start of your session to aid in sleeping and calm fussiness.
-Baby should be dressed in loose, easy to remove clothing.
-If the session is in your home, crank up the heat! Babies are most often photographed sans clothing and they need to be very warm – a good rule of thumb is that the room temperature should make you sweat.
-If you are doing a studio session, be sure to bring a few extra bottles and diapers than you think necessary and a pacifier if baby takes one at all.
-Relax and be patient – you can’t tell a baby what to do – the session depends greatly on them. An experienced newborn photographer will have plenty of tricks up his or her sleeve to calm baby and an abundance of patience.
-White noise. I have womb sounds going to calm baby during all of my sessions.
-Be prepared to be in photos with your baby. Neutral, coordinating solid clothing is highly recommended. I personally prefer light colors (cream and oatmeal are my favorites) but tastes vary. Because the environment will be so warm, I recommend layering so you can shed something if you’re too hot. Bringing a change of clothes is also a good idea – babies are known for messing up mom’s shirts at not so ideal times!
-Add in sentimental items but don’t go prop-crazy. Handmade blankets, special stuffed animals, etc are great additions to a session but you still want the session to be about your child.
-If the session will be in your home, please quiet phones and restrict visitors. If there is a lot going on baby will have a very difficult time settling.
-ALWAYS keep baby’s safety in mind. No cute pose or prop is worth your baby’s safety! I always ask for a parents’ help when necessary and many times a pose or prop is only achieved by meshing images together (composite) and removing mom’s hands during post processing.
Class of 2014 – do you want FREE Senior Portraits?
Autumn Photography is accepting applications for Class of 2014 High School Senior Models! Senior Models receive a FREE senior portrait session AND have the opportunity to earn FREE products just for spreading the word about where to get the best senior photos in the Hudson Valley! For each friend you refer that books a paid session, you receive a $50 credit toward any product you want!
The ideal time for Senior Portraits is before your Senior year – yearbook deadlines are typically pretty early so you don’t want to miss out! Sessions are outdoors and unique to each Senior – no one-size-fits-all here!
*Not an active track!
The perfect Mother’s Day gift
What do you get an awesome mom for Mother’s Day? A Mommy and me mini photo session, of course! Let’s face it, moms are usually the ones hiding BEHIND the camera. Whether they’re just the only one that enjoys taking photos or they just aren’t comfortable in front of the lens, moms are almost never in pictures with their children! Trust a professional photographer to capture the best version of you – loving on your kids!
I know, I know… you don’t like the way you look, the camera adds 10 pounds, I’ve heard it all. Here’s a secret – the camera only adds pounds when you don’t have a professional behind it! Having your photo taken by a true professional can actually do the opposite, even without nipping and tucking through software. When your children are grown are they going to have great photos of you with them to look back on? It’s time to stop making excuses and get in on this fantastic deal! Not only do you get a mini session (which are not always available), you will also receive an 11×14 retouched and mounted print, an image to share on social media and 20% off your print order!
All sessions will be outdoors in the Newburgh/New Windsor/Beacon area. Only a few sessions per day are available on:
Saturday, April 13th
Sunday, April 28th
and Saturday, May 11th
Hopefully we won’t need rain dates but in the event that it does rain I’m happy to reschedule your session to a date that works for you. Sessions must be paid in full at time of booking. Session fee is non-refundable but you may transfer it to an alternate mini-session date or rain date.
Space is very limited – reserve your spot today! These make a fantastic gift for that special Mom in your life!
Baby girl Averi – Hudson Valley newborn photos
Baby girl Averi came to see me a couple of weeks ago for her newborn session at 11 days old. She was such a sweet baby to work with, though she did not particularly want to be on her belly!
If you’re interested in a newborn baby photo session in the Hudson Valley NY, please contact me in your second or third trimester! Sessions book up quickly and I don’t like having to turn people away! Newborn babies are best photographed under 12 days old to get these great poses and sleepy photos. For more information please check out my Hudson Valley Photographer Website. If you like what you see here, please ‘like’ my page on Facebook!
Gift certificates are always available and make a great baby shower gift or even a new mom gift!
Meet Baby Colton
I have been waiting to meet this little guy for YEARS! I photographed his parents’ wedding and it was very obvious that these two were meant to be parents. After years of waiting for their announcement I finally got the exciting news that they were expecting and I couldn’t wait to meet their little one! =) They came all the way up from Bridgeport CT in Southern Fairfield County for Colton’s newborn baby portraits. I love keeping in touch with my clients and watching their families grow – I can’t wait for Colt’s 4 month photos! =)
Love this cute hat Mom & Dad brought!
Colton wasn’t big on sleeping but he was fascinated by the camera.
I got a smile! =)
I can’t wait to see you guys again soon!
