Welcome to your prep guide!
I’m so glad you’re here. I’m a born and raised Georgia girl and this is where I call home. I’ve been married to my college sweetheart since 2005 and we have 3 precious children, Walker, Marlee Grace and Cora. We also have 2 fur babies, Rosie and Lily, that we love dearly!
I have welcomed 3 babies of my own into the world and I know what it’s like coming home with a baby, adjusting to a new normal and preparing for a newborn session. I’m so thankful that you have made these pictures a priority and are entrusting me with these moments.
Some of the photos that I cherish most are of my tiny, swishy, wrinkled and fresh newborn babies. Below you will find my best advice on making the most of our time together. Please take time to read over these details!
Sleepy Babies
Most babies are much sleepier at home (being held, swaddled up etc) than they are once they get undressed and are touched/moved and posed in my studio. In order for this session to go smoothly and for me to be able to capture images as you have seen in my portfolio, it’s very important to follow my prep guide as best you can. Of course I understand that all babies are different and it may not go just as I suggest, but please do your best. Please do not let your baby sleep all morning before the session because guaranteed, baby will wake up for the session and we will not be able to get sleepy posed images, this comes with much experience. Keep in mind, the sleepier your baby is, the better your images will turn out! Trust me!
Tips for the morning of your session
ONE Start waking baby up at about 2 hours (longer the better) before you need to leave the house for your session.
TWO Give your baby a bath as this will help keep them awake especially if they are sleepy. Take your time with this bath, drag it out as much as you can to kill some of the time.
THREE Do lotion time. This also helps keep baby awake, so drag this out for a long time as well. The lotion also helps with the dry skin so it won’t show up as much in images (of course I get rid of large pieces in photoshop).
FOUR Please dress baby in a sleeper with no undershirt. If it is a cold day, please use extra blankets instead of extra clothes so it is easy to get them undressed. Please do not use anything with a waistband or things that will leave marks from being tight.
FIVE Give baby a big feeding about half an hour before you need to put baby in car seat to leave. Try to keep baby awake so that they get the most milk possible.
SIX Put baby in car seat and come. If you live a fair distance from my studio, I do not want you to keep baby awake in car. Let him sleep on the ride here. If you live very close to me (less than ten minutes) take an extra drive to ensure baby has fallen asleep.
Once you arrive at my home, please call or text (770-617-0679) and I will come out to help you unload and come inside.
what to bring
I provide all props, hats, headbands and backdrops needed for our session here at the studio. My studio space is small, warm and bright. Please dress lightly. Husbands are welcome to stay. However, they need to be aware of the length and temperature of sessions. Some spouses will come and get everyone settled and then leave to run errands etc. Please bring extra milk if you are bottle feeding, and a pacifier if baby takes one.
Please do not schedule any other appointments for session day. This will cause extra stress for you and baby will sense it. Parents and siblings are welcome to participate in a newborn session, I recommend these photos to be taken at the beginning or end of our time together.
I’m located at 2575 Gate Park Drive, Bethlehem, GA 30620
See you soon!
