Preparing for Your Newborn Session
 

Newborn Prep Page_0001

- What to Know Before Your Session -

• Newborn Poses:

Petite newborn sessions include the following variety:
• 2 poses of your choice from the following: family group, parents with newborn, siblings
• 3-4 blanket poses of your newborn on the beanbag

Complete newborn sessions include the following variety:
• 1 family group pose, 2 parent poses, 1 pose with siblings (all poses)
• 3-4 blanket poses of your newborn on the beanbag
• 1-2 prop poses of your newborn (using a bowl and crate)

The poses I'm able to accomplish depend on your baby's comfort level. I will gently and carefully attempt a variety of poses, but I will never force your newborn into an unsafe pose or to stay in a pose they are not comfortable in. Your newborn's safety is my main concern, so I will do as much or as little as your newborn allows me comfortably to do. I have taken many hours of classes on newborn posing and safety, and I enjoy working with your newborn to create beautiful images. This is your baby's special day so please communicate what you hope to see, especially if you see something particular on my website or newborn portfolio (click here).
 

• Props Used

I want the beauty of your baby to the focus of the photo, so I use simple, natural props in my images. My style is soft colors, neutrals, and earth tones. I will bring a variety of accessories for you to choose from: wraps, headbands, hats, bonnets, beanies, skirts, and pants. For complete newborn sessions I also bring 2 props, usually a wooden bowl and crate, to photograph your baby in. Please limit any personal keepsakes or outfits you hope to include in the session to 1-2 items, and let me know about these items in advance.

• Family & Sibling Photos

I love to photograph Mommy & Daddy with baby, so prepare to have your photo taken! We'll discuss ahead of time any siblings in the photos so everyone can be ready on picture day. For your wardrobe, choose simple neutral colors and avoid busy patterns and bright colors. Clothes should fit snugly and not be loose. For sibling photos, I will wrap your newborn. Little boy siblings can wear jeans or khakis and are usually shirtless on top. Little girl siblings can wear a simple outfit or I can use a wrap on the top.
 

• Consultation

If we haven't already, we'll schedule a time to chat on the phone for your session consultation (usually 4-6 weeks before your due date). During this time we'll talk about the session flow, what you can expect, specific poses you'd like to request, props, and colors for your session. This time should answer all the questions you might have about the session.

• Illness Protocol:

In the instance that I or anyone in my household becomes ill, or has a fever over 100 degress within 48 hours of the session, or has knowingly had close contact with a COVID positive person within 1 week of the session, I will contact you as soon as possible to discuss the options. I also will contact you after the session if I become ill within 5 days after the session. I also expect the same from you! I understand that illness happens and that we don't always know when we're sick or contagious. I will also take precautions before and during your session to make sure everything I use for your session is kept clean and only touched by me before arriving to your home, and that I am carefully washing my hands before and during the session.

What is the difference between a "blanket/beanbag pose" and a "prop pose"?

Blanket/Beanbag Pose ↓↓↓ These poses are done with a blanket of your choice on a large posing beanbag. I am able to create 4-5 different poses with various angles of each pose. I can capture a wide variety of images on the beanbag and most of your gallery will include these images. I will discuss with you before your session what color blanket you'd like to use for your session.

Examples of Newborn Poses on a Bean Bag

Prop Poses ↓↓↓ These poses are done in bowl, crate, or basket, using a wooden floor underneath. They take a fair amount of planing and set up, and include 1-3 images from each setup. For this reason, prop poses are only included in Complete Sessions (no props are used in Petite Sessions). I will use 2 props: a wooden bowl (brown or white) plus a box or crate. Please let me know if you have a particular prop you're hoping I'll use!

Examples of Newborn Poses in a Prop

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- The Day of Our Session -

• I highly recommend scheduling your session on a day when you don't have other commitments; the session can take 2-4 hours.

• Starting in 2023, I will bring studio lighting with me for consistent light, so I will set up in whatever area of your home that has the most space. For family photos, I still might use natural light if you have a room that has amazing nature light (large floor-length windows and sliding glass doors offer excellent light). Please have pets safely 2020_11-07 Hubbard WS 100 put away during the session and floors swept clean of pet hair in the areas I'll be setting up in. I will also have you turn off any lamps or lights in the area of the house I'm photographing to avoid any color cast they might give off.

• It takes 15 minutes for me to set up. During this time you and I will look through my collection of wraps and accessories so you can choose your favorites.

• I will start the session with family photos (including sibling and mom/dad poses) so afterwards you can relax and enjoy the rest of the session without having to keep your makeup and outfit fresh and ready. After that I'll move on to just photographing your newborn using the posing bag and/or props.

• When I begin to work with your baby on the beanbag, we need to have the room around 70-75 degrees. Being warm helps the baby to sleep more easily and not get chilled when undressed. I will bring a portable heater with me to keep things warm or to cool down. If the adults are a little too warm during a session then the temperature is just about right for a naked baby! And I'll tell you when it's a good time to turn the temperature back down.

• Plan for breaks to feed your baby during the session, even if they are short feedings.  I  want to avoid over feeding your baby, which can make them very uncomfortable, so I'll attempt to settle your baby before feeding if they're not hungry. 

• If you're not opposed to using a pacifier, have one ready for the session. It can be  helpful to get the baby to fall back asleep when posing, and I usually only allow them to use the pacifier for a several minutes to settle. Using a pacifier also helps with overfeeding.

• Have a comfortable place to sit and watch. It can take a good amount of me holding, patting, and waiting for the baby to relax properly and safely. Taking the actual photo is the smallest part of the session!

• I may need your (or your spouse's) assistance on some of the poses if I don't bring an assistant with me. Your baby's safety is my number one priority.

Rebecca Kuhn Photography newbornsRebecca Kuhn Photography newborns in the Colorado Springs area
 

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalm 139:14

Thank you for choosing me as your newborn photographer.