Congratulations to you!!! Thank you for allowing me the amazing job of photographing your new baby in the first few weeks of life. I am truly honored to be able to capture this incredible time in your lives and look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby(ies)!
WHAT DOES THE newborn EXPERIENCE MEAN FOR YOU?
A newborn session with Shutter & Bloom is for those who want to remember this magical moment in your lives as dreamy and magical as it truly is. The images from your newborn session will be heirloom images that are cherished and loved for centuries to come, lets make those as dreamy and artistic as we can!! Newborns change within weeks, they grow soo fast, which is why beautiful images to remember their distint little features are soo important. This moment will be gone in the blink of an eye.
In a world FULL of photographers to choose from, there are several reasons you should hire Jessica with Shutter & Bloom. She has been trained on how to pose newborns safely, studio lighting and natural light photography, as well as how to create an environment that will not only give us the best newborn images but also allow Jessica to photograph the true essence of your new family and baby, and all the love that comes with it. Jessica focuses on connection during the session, those sweet intimate moments you want to remember forever. A look like no other….Jessica also thrifts many of her newborn props ensuring no one else has the same look or props, as well as many props from newborn prop vendors that are specifically made for newborns.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO REMEMBER THIS TIME OF YOUR LIFE?
Jessica of Shutter & Bloom has been capturing newborns in Kentucky and surrounding for over 8 years. Parents are often emotional whens seeing their images and how Jessica is able to capture their newborn so well and authentically. She truly has a way of capturing one’s soul, their energy- not just their appearance.
This newborn session guide was put together by Jessica to help you understand the process of newborn photos with Shutter & Bloom as well as ways to prepare!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Jessica has been trained in photographing newborns, posing them safely and has had two children of her own. She has always been a little mama, mommin’ everyone in her life anyway as a cancer moon. All that to say, she loves kids, loves photographing them and loves how each one is different from the last and uniquely authentic to themselves. She is the most patient person you’ll ever meet and is unphased by cranky toddlers, shy kids, fuzzy newborns or adults who would rather be anywhere else than getting their photos done. She has a way of making you feel very relaxed by providing a non-judgemental environment, encouraging/accepting your truest self and a harmonious, comfortable energy within the studio. Bloom Photo Studio is located right off 75 in Richmond, Kentucky towards EKU with lots of dining and COFFEE options right around the Studio!
During the session, Jessica will follow your newborns lead, along with yours. Jessica prides herself on being a baby led photographer, meaning she is completely in tune with you and your baby ensuring your comfort above all else. You know your baby best, while she brings the expertise of photographing and posing babies beautifully for photos, she will follow your lead on what your baby needs. She does not force posing, however does baby lead posing, so where they wanna go is where she goes. Not all babies can do every newborn pose due to their unique body structure. She will try to get those unique poses you're interested in, however not force it. For some of the session, the baby will wrapped snug and happy with their hands and feet showing bc they’re too adorable to hide! The studio is very very warm, so please be prepared to take off layers, you are welcome to bring a change of clothing as well. (The studio needs to be warm for newborn photos, that’s one way we achieve the sleepy affect).
BABY PREP
For the baby, clean away flaky skin and eye boogers with a washcloth just gently-anything too attached Jessica can remove in editing. If your baby has excessive dry skin, many do, it’s ok, its just their skin, she can either touch up in editing or leave as is, just let her know your preference!
If your baby has any band-aids on the foot, thigh, etc., please remove them as soon as you possibly can to allow the imprint marks to disappear a few days prior to session.
Do not change the baby’s diet the day before or during the session. Continue to feed your baby how you normally do (breast-feed, formula-feed, or both). Bring plenty of bottles! Your baby will need to eat more often during the session than they normally do as they are being moved around a little more than usual. Do not make any sudden changes to the baby’s diet that may contribute to fussiness. Breastfeeding mamas there is plenty of space for you to get comfy in the studio, bring ANYTHING you need or want to help you be comfortable during the session. There are spaces that you can fed in private, just let Jessica know-she sees boobies all day long between newborns and boudoir-Bloom Studio is a safe space for you to feed publicly or privately.
Before the shoot, please feed baby 2-3 hours prior and do your best to keep baby awake. Try giving a bath, keeping baby entertained, etc. The goal is exert energy so they are extra sleepy not to promote fuzziness-use your own judgement as well as you know your baby best!! Recruit your spouse or family to help you with these tasks. If you have a super sleepy baby then don’t worry with this!
Dress baby in easy to get on and off sleeper.
AT THE SESSION
When you arrive at the studio, be prepared to feed your baby. We want the baby to be full, content and sleeping after the feeding to ensure those curly, sleepy newborn pictures.
Be sure to burp baby really well after the feeding. Gas can make a sleepy, happy baby into an uncomfortable one in seconds.
Be patient. If your baby is fussy or alert, do not stress out. Your newborn can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. We will try and get them comfortable again, but if that does not seem possible, we will take a break or may even reschedule (at the photographer’s discretion). This is why newborn sessions allow for time to do these things, so do not stress! Jessica only schedules one newborn session per day to allow the baby to lead the timing of the session.
Be prepared for messes of all kinds. Babies do not care where, when and who they pee, poo, spit up or vomit on. That is why I will be dressed comfy as I work and why you (if you want to be in the photos with your newborn) would want to bring an extra set of clothing.
As the session can take up to 4 hours, please bring plenty of snacks and a beverage of your liking. I do have a refrigerator and microwave in studio. Please feel at home when here in the studio.
WARDROBE
Newborns are typically in wraps, studio newborn clothing or nude (while having discretion in posing). Bloom Studio has a wide selection of accessories as well such as headbands, bonnets, beanies and more. Bloom Studio also has a variety of wraps and outfits specifically designed for newborn photography (any color can be altered in editing for final images). We do have a small selection of maternity gowns as well.
FOR THE PARENTS:
Photographing the connection between you and your baby is one of my favorite things. Just as they encourage in the hospital or at home birth, skin to skin contact creates the most beautiful images and is An option!
s&B typically does family photos in either the creamy white room or moody black room in the studio. both provide natural window light and/or studio lighting. S&B does have a wide variety of backdrop colors-if you’d like family photos to be on something other than white or black-just let jessica know and she can either change the background in editing or have that backdrop option ready for your session.
You should wear what makes you feel most beautiful. If that’s casual…do fuzzy, textured sweaters or soft materials for baby to cozy up on. if thats formal-try to stick to fabrics that feel good against the skin as baby will be cozied up to you for your photots. The sky is truly the limit and i love to see clients bring their own style to sessions. I’d try to coordinate with the colors you asked for in newborn session. try to avoid colors like neons, reds, or any color that will bounce back onto your skin that you don’t want. Jessica is here to help if you need it!!!! She is always happy to be a second opinion on outfits or to send some suggestions. Be sure your nails are tidy and clean as your hands will make their way into the images for sure. Also, rest assured, I aim to photograph using flattering angles and lighting to bring out the natural beauty in you and your family.
SIBLINGS
Including sibling(s) in your newborn’s portrait is the perfect way to document this fleeting time in your lives. Outiftis for kiddos- my biggest suggestion is to ensure your child is comfortable. As with parents, try to coordinate colors with color theme requested.
Please ensure your child’s hands and feet are tidy as their hands and feet will be images. If we can make sure all boogers, crusties are wiped away. I can get anything we miss in photoshop (outside of dirty nails).
It is perfectly okay to bring bribes to a photo-shoot–some cereal, snacks or candies that won’t stain their teeth. Avoid colorful drinks or lollipops within 24 hours of your shoot. Do not let them eat or drink anything will stain their cheeks, mouths or teeth.
Due to the duration of the newborn session, siblings are welcome to stay and hang out or welcome to head home with one parents/family/friend while we finish the remainder of the newborn session. Either way is fine with me! I do ask, that they are monitored as many of my props are vintage and cannot be easily replaced. Note: if you can only bring yourself and kiddos to the session-thats ok-I’m here to help. <3
ITEMS TO REMEMBER:
Extra diapers, bottles (if used), paci (even if usually does not require, during newborn sessions they can be a lifesaver!!), snacks, change of clothing (if desired), easy on and off sleeper for baby
These tips in this Newborn Session Guide will help you prepare for your newborn shoot and ensure that your session runs smoothly so we can focus on capturing your newborn baby’s portraits
After the session:
Jessica will post some behind the scenes videos and images on her social media stories for you to enjoy, feel free to give music suggestions and favorites. After the session, you will receive a proof gallery of hundreds of photos to choose your favorites from. After choosing your favorites + free 20 images included + purchasing any additional images or wall art, Jessica will do final edits and add a little magic to the images prior to delivering your final gallery within 6 weeks of session date (with your timely return of favorites of course). Both your proof and final gallery will be in the Shutter & Bloom vaults indefinitely just in case you ever lose your saved images or want to order more images.
