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1. Be prepared. Have your set ups chosen ahead of time (3-5 is a good amount) and have them already set up and ready to go. If you are using more than one blanket, layer them so they’re easy to remove and you spend less time in between poses changing things.
2. Work from start to finish. I like to do all my blanket poses first because they are the most comfy and easiest for the baby to settle into, then I progress to putting the baby into various baskets or props in the middle of the session. By then they should be good, fed, happy and calm. I always do photos with mom and dad last. My theory is that if the baby is upset at all by the end or getting near to being done that being in mom or dad’s arms is the best comfort and easiest way to finish off the day.
3. Don’t do any pose that the baby seems truly uncomfortable with. It’s important to keep the baby safe and happy and make sure all their limbs are able to keep blood circulating.
4. Utilize composite photos when necessary. All those lovely photos of babies hanging in nets and cloths or with their hands holding up their chin? These poses require a spotter and lots of safety! These photos should be done by creating a composite shot. One with the area the baby will be in without the baby and one with the spotter holding them up in the photo. When you combine the two photos it can appear that the baby was there alone, but these should never be done without a spotter!
5. Patience is key! Rushing through a newborn sessions is just not going to happen. Take your time with each pose to settle the baby comfortably, turn their cheek just so, spread out their fingers and tuck their toes. These are the little details that you’ll notice later in photos and will wish you had changed before you snapped the picture!
