PREPARATION — THE DAYS BEFORE THE SESSION
FEEDING
In the case of breastfed babies, what the mother eats can influence not only how smoothly the photoshoot goes, but sometimes even whether it can take place. It is essential that the baby is calm and settled.
Especially for babies who tend to have gas or colic, we recommend that the mother avoids the following foods in the 48 hours prior to the session:
- Strawberries
- Pineapple
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Blackberries
- Tomatoes
- Chocolate
- Spicy foods
- Carbonated drinks
- Coffee
- Asparagus
- Onions
- Broccoli
- Green beans
- Leafy greens (such as cabbage)
- Beans
In general, it is advisable to avoid acidic foods, heavily seasoned meals, carbonated and caffeinated drinks, as well as green vegetables that may cause gas.
This is a helpful guideline for all breastfeeding mothers. These foods tend to affect babies under 6 weeks more significantly. As your baby grows, you can gradually reintroduce foods one at a time to understand how they react.
Every baby is different, so it is always best to consult your baby’s pediatrician if you have any concerns.
WHAT TO BRING — FOR THE BABY
Regarding clothing and accessories, we provide everything needed for your baby’s photoshoot. However, you are very welcome to bring any special items you would like to include during the session. We are always open to new ideas and personal touches.
Dry skin, flaking, or baby acne can occur in some newborns. In these cases, we recommend applying sweet almond oil or a natural cream the day before the session. If you are not currently using any topical product on your baby, you may disregard this suggestion.
Although all images are carefully edited and retouched, it is important to minimize these skin conditions as much as possible, as we cannot guarantee that editing alone will fully correct them.
The essential items to bring are:
Diapers, wipes, and a baby hairbrush
A pacifier (preferably silicone, as it is less likely to leave marks on the baby’s skin), or another soothing method (such as gas relief drops like Aero-OM, if your baby is used to them)
Blankets
Extra milk (if your baby is formula-fed)
WHAT TO EXPECT
Newborn sessions are very specific, as they require the baby to be asleep in order to achieve the desired results.
Since babies do not have uninterrupted sleep and their needs always come first and because every movement must be done carefully to avoid disturbing their sleep when changing poses or setups these sessions can last between 2 to 4 hours.
You can expect a clean, warm, and relaxing environment, carefully prepared to your baby. The room temperature will be higher than usual to ensure your baby remains comfortable without clothing.
You will be in the hands of a trained professional, experienced in safely handling, positioning, and, if necessary, feeding your baby. In some cases (especially with formula-fed babies), we may assist with feeding to avoid passing the baby from arm to arm, which could disturb their sleep.
We understand that this first month of your baby’s life is a very sensitive time for parents. For that reason, apart from feeding, nothing will be expected from you during the session. You can simply relax and enjoy the moment we will take care of everything.
Your baby’s safety and needs will always come first. Whenever the baby shows signs of hunger or discomfort, we will pause the session to allow them to feed and rest.
A large part of the session time is dedicated to soothing and settling the baby into a deep sleep, which is essential for the session. For this reason, it may be necessary to feed your baby more frequently than usual.
Your baby will be mostly photographed wearing only a diaper, so small accidents may happen this is completely normal, so please don’t worry.
We will try to minimize the baby’s contact with the mother during the session to reduce the natural feeding reflex, but whenever needed, your baby will always be returned to you.
CARE ON THE DAY OF THE SESSION
On the day of the session, it is preferable to feed your baby upon arrival at the studio.
Babies tend to feel hungrier in new and unfamiliar environments, and feeding them when you arrive will help ensure a smooth start to the session.
If, for any reason, you need to feed your baby before arriving or within the two hours prior to the session, we recommend offering only half of their usual amount.
For formula-fed babies, we suggest bringing enough for several bottles. Babies often feel hungrier during the session and may need to feed 2 to 3 times more than usual.
PARENTS
Parents are a fundamental part of the session, and your state of mind has a direct influence on how it unfolds, as babies are very sensitive to the energy around them.
We understand that this is a time of many changes little sleep, heightened emotions, and a mix of feelings. However, it is very important to try to leave feelings of nervousness, anxiety, or stress outside the studio.
From our experience, when parents feel unsettled, that energy can be reflected in the baby. Calm and relaxed parents almost always help create a more peaceful, sleepy baby.
Newborn sessions typically last between 2 to 4 hours. Every baby is unique, and each session has its own rhythm, flow, and duration. For this reason, we cannot guarantee an exact finishing time.
We usually do not schedule other sessions on the same day, so there is no pressure or time constraints that could affect your experience. For this reason, it is very important that you do not plan any other commitments for this day.
SIBLINGS
If siblings will be participating in the session, we recommend that they are brought either at the beginning or at the end, during the time dedicated to family photos.
This is a relatively long session, and it can be difficult for a child to remain in the studio for extended periods without becoming tired or restless, which may affect their participation in the photos.
Additionally, it is essential to maintain a calm and peaceful environment throughout the session. The presence of a child for long periods may unintentionally disturb both the baby and the flow of the session, potentially affecting the final result.
WHAT TO BRING — FOR THE PARENTS
Parents, partners, siblings, and grandparents are always welcome to take part in the newborn session at no additional cost. We kindly ask that you inform us in advance if anyone other than the parents will be attending, as we like to be prepared to welcome everyone properly.
Regarding what to wear, we recommend timeless pieces that will look beautiful displayed in your home and remain elegant for many years.
Neutral tones, solid colors, or soft patterns work best avoid anything too bold or distracting. It is not necessary for everyone to match exactly, but it is important that the tones complement each other.
For a brighter and more luminous look, parents may bring white shirts or dresses.
For siblings, we suggest:
Boys: jeans with a white shirt or polo
Girls: white or similar light-toned dresses
Hair and makeup are, of course, optional.
However, these are meaningful photographs that your child will carry for a lifetime, so it is important to consider your overall presentation. Editing should enhance the images — not compensate for details that can be prepared beforehand.
If you wish, we also offer a professional Makeup Artist (MUA) service.
For your comfort, our studio provides coffee, water, and light snacks for you to enjoy during the session.
You are also welcome to step of the studio if you would like to have a meal. Alternatively, feel free to bring your own snacks or light refreshments.