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Are you thinking about getting New Orleans newborn photography for your new little one? Newborn photography is an incredible way to preserve a fleeting time in your baby’s life with beautiful, personalized art. These tips will help you have the best experience – and pick the perfect photographer for your family.

11 Tips for Your New Orleans Newborn Photography

1. Go with a studio over lifestyle photography.

We’ve all seen those pretty Instagram pictures of newborns photographed at home. So much goes into those photos that you don’t see. Imagine being sleep-deprived with a week-old baby and having to get your house and your whole family presentable for a photographer. You can spare all of that stress by opting for a studio session.

A studio has a lot of advantages for your New Orleans newborn photography. Your photographer makes sure the space is ready with everything you could need in one place. Some studio photographers even provide outfits that coordinate with backdrops. They can control the environment, including the lighting, to get those soft photos consistently. In a studio you don’t get unwanted noise or distractions from other family members, kids, or pets wandering through. It’s just plain cozy for you and your little one.

2. Choose a photographer who understands newborn safety.

Even the heartiest newborns need special safety considerations. When you choose whom you’ll trust with your New Orleans newborn photography, make sure they have received training on newborn safety. There are actual professional organizations that train photographers on newborn safety when it comes to studio conditions and posing.

You can ask your newborn photographer questions like these to get a sense of how they ensure your baby’s safety?

• What safety training have you done?
• How do you practice safety in posing? 
• What do you do if a photo isn’t working?

Their answers will give you some peace of mind so you can relax and enjoy your experience.

3. Personalize your New Orleans newborn photography.

You can have a studio session that feels deeply personal. After all, this is your chance to establish part of your family’s legacy. Your pictures can include clothing or items that matter to your family. I have seen first responders include their uniforms in their childrens’ newborn sessions, for example. You could even include an heirloom. The idea is to give future generations an understanding of who your family is and what matters most to you.

If you want to commemorate your journey to your little one, talk with your photographer about creative ways to make that happen. This family brought their rainbow baby to my studio for her newborn session. We used a rainbow of flowers to show the connection between the babies and honor the place the first baby will always have in her family’s hearts. There are so many ways to make your New Orleans newborn photography your own.

4. Schedule the session well in advance.

When you’re getting ready to give birth, you have a lot on your mind. You’re making sure you have everything in place for your new baby, current family members, and you for those hazy early days of new parenthood. Given all of that, you might be tempted to put off scheduling your New Orleans newborn photography. 

Even though you might want to put it off, I recommend scheduling your session sooner than later. You won’t want to think about it when you get home from the hospital. Unlike wedding photographers, newborn photographers are sometimes available to book closer to a session date, too. Try getting in touch with your preferred photographer as your due date approaches.

When choosing a date, keep in mind that the ideal window for your newborn photos is in your baby’s first two weeks. You can do a session as late as three months, but babies change so fast! There are lots of good reasons to do your newborn session so early. One of the major ones is that your baby will be sleepy and flexible. Both of these conditions make them better suited to those sweet swaddles and poses people love in newborn photos. You can learn more about why it’s better to schedule your newborn session early here.

5. Communicate with your photographer ahead of time.

The best way to have a great experience is to set clear expectations. Communicate your priorities to your photographer and ask what you should expect. An experienced newborn photographer will have a process in place to answer important questions ahead of time. Before families arrive at my studio, I provide them with a prep guide and a pre-session phone consultation.

By speaking with your photographer ahead of time, you can collaborate on your vision for your New Orleans newborn photography. Pick a color scheme. Share your favorite poses. Talk through options for props and accessories. Ask what to expect on the day of your session. This is also the perfect time to tell your newborn photographer how you want to personalize your session. 

6. Think about which family members you want to include in your New Orleans newborn photography.

Whether your soon-to-arrive baby is your first or your third, you may want to incorporate other family members into your session. Your little one is changing everyone’s lives by becoming part of the fabric of your family. Figure out who you want to bring to the studio ahead of time. You can plan outfits to coordinate with the creative vision you’ve made with your photographer. 

It’s also important to know when other family members should show up. I’ve photographed many families at newborn sessions. In my experience, it’s best to bring other children at the beginning or end if possible. This gives us quiet time to pose your sleepy baby without distractions. It also reduces the time for kids to get bored and antsy. 

In the event that you need to bring older children to your New Orleans newborn photography session, I added a play space to my studio. Your older kids can play with some new-to-them toys while you relax. A newborn photographer should know how to work with all the challenges and joys kids bring.

7. Try to clear your schedule for the day of your session. 

Hopefully, you don’t have too many errands to run in the first few weeks of your baby’s life. If you’re still running around getting things done, be prepared to clear your schedule for the day of your New Orleans newborn photography session. Give yourself time to get ready and coordinate with any other family members involved in the session. You don’t want to feel any more rushed than necessary.

That goes for your photographer too. I only schedule one newborn session per day so that I can spend lots of time setting up and getting the studio ready. I would rather make sure everything is set up for you to have a great experience than try to squeeze multiple sessions into one day.

8. Give yourself and baby plenty of time for your session.

On the same note, come to your New Orleans newborn photography session ready to be patient. Your photographer really has to follow your baby’s lead. Newborns are at an age where they can’t wait for anything whether it’s food or a diaper change. That’s ok. The whole point of this session is to capture this brief, precious moment in time. Let the session be an experience, not a task to cross off your to-do list. 

Sometimes you can go into a newborn photo session with a pose in mind only to find that the baby hates it. There’s always another pose to try. I also include tools to help calm a fussy baby in my studio. I have a vibrating mat. Things as simple as low lighting can help calm your baby in the studio.

9. Relax and enjoy your New Orleans newborn photography experience!

I’ve already mentioned this a few times, but it’s so important to me: Your baby’s newborn session should be your chance to relax! The peaceful environment of the studio might work wonders on you too. Put your feet up. Take a nap in the corner of the studio. I can’t tell you how many parents have told me that they got their first nap in weeks when they came in for their baby’s photo session.

10. Think about what heirlooms you’ll want.

Your New Orleans newborn photography is your chance to create family heirlooms that will be cherished for generations. I wish newborn photographers had been around when my children were born. Images from their early days would be priceless to me. You have an incredible chance to preserve this moment in your child’s life and family’s history.

That being said, digital files tend to collect dust on USBs and disappear into Instagram’s archives quickly. I offer a variety of options for physical products that you can use to display your baby’s photos in your home. A few options include:

• Albums
• Wall art
• Storyboards
• Tabletop canvas

All of these give you the chance to hold your newborn in your hands long after they’ve grown up and left home.

11. Find the right New Orleans newborn photographer for you.

It’s important to find a photographer with whom you like spending time. You’ll be collaborating with them and spending time in the studio together. You’re also entrusting them with a piece of your family’s legacy. You deserve someone qualified and capable to take these tender photos. 

At my studio in Morgan City, I’ve been photographing newborns for years. I’ve photographed hundreds of newborns. I know how to give your family an incomparable experience, and I understand the emotional value of these photos. Would you like me to document your New Orleans newborn photography?  Inquire with me here!