How to Prepare for Your Newborn Session by Cincinnati Newborn Photographer / Tracie Jean Photo
How to Prepare for Your Luxe Newborn Session by Cincinnati Newborn
Photographer / Tracie Jean Photo
If you’re reading this blog your newborn session at Tracie Jean Photo is just around the corner. It’s such an exciting time and we cannot wait to welcome your family into the studio! Here are a few things to help prepare for your upcoming session.
What to Bring:
Formula or Breastmilk. We carry everything you’ll need in the studio down to diapers & wipes. You will need formula or breastmilk (whichever method you’ve chosen to feed your baby). It does help to have a bottle of breastmilk available if possible, although we also welcome nursing at any time.
Pacifier. If your newborn takes a pacifier and/or if you are not opposed to a pacifier it can be very instrumental for short term soothing during your newborn session and may help for a smoother transition between sets and poses.
Diaper Cream. We do not carry any diaper creams in the studio so if you feel you will need diaper cream, please include it in your diaper bag.
Outfits for Dad. Most of our Moms elect to wear our gowns in studio and we have a very healthy selection. Dad should bring jeans and grey, black or khaki slacks along with a variety of button down tops. Suits are nice as well if that fits your family’s vibe. Please bring a pair of dress shoes & belt where applicable as well.
What to Expect:
Ahead of the Session. Please fill out the Newborn Session Information questionnaire sent to you via email so that we can have everything fully prepared for you before you arrive in studio. This allows us to create your sets, prepare outfits & style each look to perfection.
Arrival. Plan for an extra 30 minutes to get out the door…leaving the house with your newborn can be a few extra steps. DO NOT STRESS if you are running behind. Please just text the studio and let us know your ETA when you are on your way. When you arrive at the studio, we will check baby’s diaper & get baby wrapped. It’s possible that in this process baby is roused. If necessary, we will have you top baby off or feed if it’s time.
The Session. If you’ve elected to use our hair & makeup team, for the first hour of the session Mom will be getting pampered while we work with your newborn. We start every newborn session with baby wrapped and then move through our posing flow & sets. The last part of the session is dedicated to pictures with Mom, Dad & siblings. We do ask that parents and all other guests honor the blue line around the area that we are working so that we can keep baby safe & have the best results from our lighting.
The Delivery. After your session you will likely be very excited to see your images! We are too :) It takes us two weeks to deliver our newborn sessions. You will receive an email with a link to your gallery.
How We Soothe:
Sound. Baby’s favorite sound is shushing which comes as no surprise as it’s so close to the same sound of the whooshing of the womb. Our favorite tool is the Baby Shusher.
Gentle Movement. Your baby may be up all night. It makes total sense. While you were pregnant, during the day you walked and moved about keeping your little sweetie(s) rocked gently to sleep. It’s not surprising at all that the stillness feels like a great time to be awake! Our favorite tool for gentle movement is the Lullavibe.
Heat. Your newborn’s thermostat isn’t quite developed. So during our sessions, we warm the studio up along with our favorite little heating blanket that offers baby warmth in between wrap and outfit changes. Another of our favorite tools for warmth is our Sloth Warmie. Great for transitioning between set changes and pre-warming the next spot baby will be laying.
Pacifier. Even if a pacifier isn’t fully in the rotation yet, sometimes suckling for just a second can give us just enough time to transition baby to the next pose or set without them fully waking.
Nursing. Sometimes if baby becomes unsettled enough we will break during the session for a soothing suckle on Mom. Most often, the first 4 forms of soothing work and it doesn’t come to nursing (unless, of course, if baby is actually hungry).
