Studio Newborn Prep Guide

Newborn Session Prep Guide

Congratulations on your new baby. Thank you for allowing me the honor of photographing your little one during these first precious days. Newborn sessions are incredibly special to me, and I consider it a privilege to document this season for your family.

Studio Location:

The studio is located at
1 Heighe Street, Bel Air, MD 21014

It is the stone house with green awnings in the front. Parking is available behind the building. When you walk in through the front door of the building, the studio is the first suite to the right.

How Long to Plan For:

Newborn sessions typically last 2 to 3 hours. Please plan your day accordingly and allow yourself to move slowly. There is no rush.

If older siblings will be included in photos, we will photograph those images at the beginning of the session. If possible, consider bringing two cars. After we finish family and sibling images, one parent can take the older children home or out for a snack while we complete the newborn portion of the session.

It’s a small studio! This helps keep the studio calm and focused for your baby.

Who Should Attend

Please plan to bring only yourself, your spouse or partner, and your children. The studio is cozy, and limiting the number of extra guests helps create a peaceful environment where your baby can stay relaxed and settled.

How to Prepare Your Baby

A sleepy baby makes for a smooth and beautiful session. Don’t stress if things don’t go PERFECTLY. Babies are wonderfully unpredictable and I allow plenty of time for feeding and cuddling.

Here are a few tips to help:

If you are breastfeeding, try to avoid spicy or acidic foods and caffeine for 48 hours before your session, as these can sometimes make baby unsettled.

Plan to feed your baby about 2 hours before your session time. This allows baby to be ready for a full feeding once you arrive at the studio. A full feeding here helps baby settle into a deep, content sleep for posing.

Try to keep your baby awake for about 1 hour prior to the session. A bath usually helps achieve this and also relaxes baby at the same time.

A helpful formula for a sleepy session is
bath + full feeding + a car ride to the studio.

That combination often leads to a very relaxed baby and an amazing session.

During the Session

No cameras are allowed during the session. You are welcome to take short behind-the-scenes videos on your phone. I know this is a meaningful time and you want to capture everything. At the same time, I am carefully creating artistic images for you, and additional cameras can be distracting. Relax, enjoy the experience, and allow me to take care of the details.

What to Bring

Here is a simple checklist to make your day easy:

Diapers and wipes
Milk or bottles if needed
Outfits for parents and siblings
Pacifier, optional but very helpful*
Baby’s going home outfit
A baby blanket
Anything that makes you comfortable, such as an iPad, book, nursing pillow, or slippers

*Bring a pacifier if you have one, it can be incredibly helpful for settling baby back to sleep between poses. It is usually only used for a few minutes at a time and is not long enough to cause nipple confusion, which can sometimes be a concern for new parents.

What the studio has

I have a changing table fully stocked with diapers, wipes, and cream available for you to use. You are always welcome to bring your preferred brands if you’d like.

I also have a small client wardrobe available, including a few dresses for moms and neutral shirts for husbands and children. If you would like to use something from the studio wardrobe, just let me know ahead of time so we can plan accordingly.

I will provide water, sodas hot drinks, and light snacks for you so you can relax and enjoy your time here.