I just booked another newborn shoot and I can’t wait. Here are six tips on how to prepare for a newborn shoot:

1. Pack Your bag the day before. Taking care of your baby is enough to keep you busy the day of your shoot, you don’t want to be stressed trying to remember everything right before your session.
2. Feed your baby right before your shoot. A full baby sleeps a lot more soundly which makes the session a lot easier (and “faster” – I added quotes because newborn shoots are never “fast”). If your shoot is more than 15 minutes away, it’s best to drive there first, then feed the baby, and then start your shoot.
3. Make sure you communicate to your photographer (although a good photog will communicate with you, and likely send you a questionnaire to fill out) about what’s most important to capture. You can’t redo a newborn shoot, babies change so quickly. Communication is key to make sure you end up with images that will bring back all those new-mom emotions.
4. Come prepared for a blow-out, make sure you have a change of clothes too, not just the baby.
5. In terms of clothing. You don’t need to bring much to a newborn shoot. Baby will stay in wraps and blankets most of the time so bring those instead (especially stretch ones).
6. If you’re doing an in-home shoot, make sure your house is picked up and clutter is hidden. A tall ask with a newborn, I know, but maybe you could enlist some help.  It can add a lot of extra time if we are moving stuff around during a shoot to get it out of the frame.

Now check out this baby goodness…