So you just took that pregnancy test and you’re overwhelmed with all of the emotions from seeing that positive result! Your mind is reeling with excitement, fear, unknowns, and the anticipation of meeting this precious piece of your heart in just a few shorts months.
The plans just naturally begin forming in your mind…
What will we name our baby? How will we decorate the nursery? What will we need and where should we register for those things? Where will we deliver?
In the midst of all of these questions and all of the things to prepare, it can be easy to overlook one of the most important aspects of getting ready for your baby’s arrival . . .
PLANNING FOR YOUR BABY’S NEWBORN PHOTO SESSION.
When your baby finally arrives, there is a rush of beautiful moments that are very fleeting and will be a fuzzy blur just a few shorts weeks later. Laboring to bring your baby into this world brings with it a physical demand and crazy hormone changes along with loss of sleep that make it difficult to have a vivid memory of many of those precious elements that are only there within the first couple weeks of your baby’s arrival.
You want to remember
the tiny little toes, the flaky skin, the indescribable softness of her hair and skin, the way she smelled, the little noises, and the way it felt when you held her close.
Here are a few tips as you plan for your newborn session.
Tip #1: Don’t wait!
Touch base early in your pregnancy to chat about getting your newborn session scheduled. If you wait until baby arrives, there is a big chance there may not be availability, or too much time will pass because of the whirlwind of labor and delivery and the newborn stage is GONE before you were able to get the session scheduled.
Tip #2: Schedule early in your pregnancy
As soon as you know your due date, touch base to get a date on the calendar! I always leave wiggle room in my schedule because baby’s arrival can be somewhat unpredictable. We usually set a tentative date within a week after your due date and adjust it if baby arrives early or if you pass your due date or have anything unexpected come up at the hospital that would require a bit of a longer stay before baby can come home. Having the tentative date on the calendar ensures that the session will happen and will prevent regrets of procrastination and missing the opportunity to capture this precious stage.
Tip #3: Communicate your preferences
It won’t be long and you will have your nursery colors and themes planned. As you are thinking through your plans for your nursery, let me know if you’d like your newborn session to mirror some of those nursery themes! If you have a preference on colors that you like or colors you’d rather avoid, be sure to communicate that! Your newborn session will be unique to you and your baby! Feel free to browse the newborn gallery here or scroll my Instagram for ideas of themes or color schemes you would like.
Tip #4: Keep in touch as your due date approaches
I will touch base with you as you get closer to your due date. If you have a cesarean or induction scheduled, I will just confirm that everything is still good to go for your delivery. This helps to confirm your upcoming newborn session. If you are just waiting to naturally go into labor, I will check in with you just a bit as you get closer to your due date and keep tabs on when baby finally arrives to ensure we can adjust your session date if necessary.
Tip #5: Fill out your questionnaire
Between the time baby arrives and your newborn session, you will receive a questionnaire with just a few simple questions that will aide in preparations for your session. This questionnaire not only helps me to ensure the studio is thoroughly prepared for you and your baby but also provides you with information to know what to bring, how to plan the day of the session and what to expect when you arrive and throughout the session. It gives peace of mind to have some of these details explained before you arrive so that you can thoroughly enjoy your time at the session.
Rest assured that I will communicate MUCH with you as we look forward to your baby’s newborn session at my studio on the east side of Indianapolis! And you will feel confident and grow with excitement as you anticipate the beautiful heirlooms that will be captured to allow you to vividly remember the details of this very precious newborn stage!