A little prep goes a long way toward dreamy, stress-free photos!


Your Newborn Session Prep Guide

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✨ The Morning of Your Session ✨

✔️ Keep Baby Awake for at least an 1 hour before the session.

The most successful newborn sessions start with one key goal: a very sleepy baby. To help us get those curled-up, peaceful poses, we need baby to be in a deep, milk-drunk snooze by the time we begin.

Here’s how to help make that happen:

 The longer baby is awake before the session, we have a better chance they’ll sleep once they’re at the studio. You can not pose an awake baby. So to achieve these sleepy poses baby must be asleep.

🛁 Give Baby a Bath FIRST

Baths help wake baby up, which helps them stay alert long enough for that full feeding we want. It’s totally okay if baby cries — this is normal and even helpful for getting them nice and tired. Be sure to:

  • Clean between their fingers and toes (lint hides there!)

  • Trim their nails if needed — a glass file works great

  • Skip lotion or creams — we’ll take care of baby’s skin on camera

🍼 Feed Baby a FULL Feeding Right Before You Leave

This is the magic combo: alert + clean + full = sleepy baby bliss. Try to time the feeding so baby finishes eating right before you head out the door. BABY NEEDS TO ARRIVE FOR THE SESSION FULLY FED.

👕 Dress Baby in a Zip-Up or Snap-Up Outfit ONLY

NO onesies or anything pulled over the head!! NO socks or hats (they leave indentions on the skin). We’ll take baby out of the carseat and get baby ready for the session.

what to Bring

Please pack the following essentials:

  • At least 2 bottles, 3 oz each (MINIMUM), of breastmilk or formula (even if you’re breastfeeding if possible)
  • A pacifier (without anything attached)
  • Extra diapers and wipes — we’ll go through more than usual!

Breastfeeding only? That’s perfectly okay. Just let us know and we’ll work with your preferences.
Pacifier-free? Totally fine too! With that said we do keep extra pacifier's in the studio as they can be very helpful to get baby settled into a pose. They may not take the pacifier from you but most of the time they will take it from me enough to get the pose we are going for ;)

 While You're Here

You’ll find light snacks and drinks available (not allergy-safe). Feel free to bring your own or snacks! We’ve had plenty of parents bring lunch or enjoy some quiet downtime while we work.


Arriving at the Studio

 We’ll be handling your baby throughout the session to gently guide them into poses. You’re welcome to watch, relax, or even take a well-deserved nap while we work ✨

Studio is kept on the warmer side for baby.  It may feel warm for adults, but perfect for baby so dress accordingly.

We use Force of Nature to sanitize all surfaces and wash all fabrics in All Free & Clear with the occasional splash of Dreft

⏱️ Tip: Leave 15 minutes earlier than you think! Babies can sense when we’re rushing — give yourself a cushion.

If Your Session Includes Family or Siblings

If your chosen session includes family portraits, here are some extra tips to keep things smooth and stress-free.

What to Wear

  • Choose neutral tones like white, cream, or black — all in the same shade family
  • Avoid busy patterns, graphics, or logos
  • Stick to fitted tees, tanks, or soft knits — looser clothing can bunch during posing

!!! sibling information !!!

Safety & Studio Details

  • Baby may be naked or lightly wrapped during some parts of the session — please don’t worry if there are accidents! Everything is washable and expected 💛
  • We wear comfortable attire and expect to get a little messy — no designer clothes here!
  • Some Newborn Sessions can last up to 2.5 hours, depending on which package you selected.
We absolutely love including older siblings in your newborn’s portraits — those first sibling images are truly special! To keep the session running smoothly and ensure your newborn can settle into a peaceful, sleepy rhythm, any portraits that include siblings will be done at the beginning of the session.

Once those portraits are complete, we kindly ask that a friend, family member, or other caregiver take the siblings home (or out for a fun outing) so we can continue the remainder of the session in a calm, quiet environment focused solely on baby.

Why? Young children naturally have short attention spans, and a warm, quiet space is essential for posing your newborn safely and comfortably. Having extra energy or movement in the studio can make it harder to get those soft, sleepy images you're hoping for — and we want the very best results for a sleepy newborn!

Local tip: Nearby spots like City Center fountain, Patrick Henry Mall, or City Center Ice Cream or Chick-Fil-a are great for sibling outings while we finish up your session.


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Studio Address:

813 Chatsworth Dr,
Newport News, VA 23601

(please park in the driveway)

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This may be the first quiet moment you’ve had in days — and we’re honored to share it with you. From the little fingers to the tiny yawns, we’re here to capture all the beauty of your baby’s first days with love and care.

You’re going to be incredible — because you already are 🫶
Hugs,
Lynette