colorado springs family and newborn photographer
Preparing for Your Newborn Session
- What to Know Before Your Session -
• What does the session include?
Petite newborn sessions include the following variety:
• 2 poses of your choice from the following: family group, parent(s) 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 little or as much as your newborn allows me 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 accessories for my setups. My style is soft colors, neutrals, and earth tones. I will bring a variety of accessories for you to choose including wraps, headbands, hats, bonnets, beanies, outfits, 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 (plus what to wear)
I love to photograph family 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, keep it simple. Choose neutral soft colors and avoid busy patterns and bright colors. Clothes should fit snugly and not be loose. Mom's will need to do their hair and makeup, but again, keep it simple and natural.
For sibling photos, I will wrap your newborn. Boy siblings can wear jeans or khakis and can be shirtless on top or wear a solid color shirt. Girl siblings can wear a simple outfit or I can use a wrap on the top instead of a shirt.
• 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 conversation 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 degrees 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 3 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 "beanbag/blanket pose" and a "prop pose"?
Beanbag/Blanket 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 only included in the Complete Session because they take a fair amount of planning, styling, and set up. The poses are done on a wooden floor that I bring with me to the session. I will use 2 different props - a wooden bowl (brown or white) and a box or crate - and each prop will have a different setup using different colors and textures. 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 as the session will last 2-4 hours.
• 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 adequate nature light (large floor-length windows and sliding glass doors offer excellent light).
• Please have pets safely
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.
• Set up takes me 15-20 minutes. During this time we will also 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 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 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 cluster feeding and 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 you or your spouse to assist me on some of the poses if I don't bring an assistant with me. Your baby's safety is my number one priority.
• Once your session is done, if you've allowed sharing of your images, I will do a social media preview within a week of the session (on facebook and instagram). Your complete gallery will be ready about 2 weeks after the session. If it will be longer than this, which can happen during my busy months, I will contact you and keep you updated.
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.
Rebecca Kuhn Photography LLC 2022
