Newborn Welcome Information – Sussex Newborn Photography

Welcome!

Thank you for booking your baby’s Newborn Portrait Session with Cosy Toes Photography.

Please take the time to read through the tips and information below prior to your session. These tips will help you understand what to expect from your session and help you to prepare for it, in order to get the most out of it.

Your session with Cosy Toes is fully tailored to ensure you end up with images that you’ll adore for years to come, including your choice of colours, props and poses. The amount of input you put into the session is entirely up to you. You are welcome to be as specific as you like to what you want from the session. Requests can not always be guaranteed, but I will do my very best, where ever possible to accommodate your requirements.

I recommend that you chose a colour scheme that you would like to work with, as well as the props, however, if you prefer to leave the styling of the session to me, I can of course do so.

Preparation/session Planning

Colour Theme

I invite you to choose the colour theme that I will use throughout your session. Thinking about what colour are your walls at home/in the nursery where you are going to hang your images is important so that they will look even more amazing when you display them.

Do you have colours you dislike? Are you drawn to dark or light backgrounds? You can pick one or two colours from the choice below:

Brown
Cream
White
Dark grey
Light grey
Blush pink
Baby pink
Lilac
Mauve
Yellow
Khaki green
Baby blue
Navy blue
Dusky blue

Poses

Below you will find examples of the most common newborn poses offered. Whilst I try to use most of these poses each session, the amount of poses that we succeed in doing will very much depend on your baby on the day.

These poses are carried out in a certain order, one that I have found disrupts the baby the least, but if there are certain poses that you prefer over others, let me know so that I can focus and prioritise those. Likewise, please let me know if there are any you don’t like so I know not to spend time attempting them.

Please bear in mind that not all babies are able to go into every pose. I use a 3rd attempt rule. If on the 3rd attempt your baby is not happy going into a certain pose, I will not push them further for the sake of a photo. We will instead move onto the next pose.

I am fully trained on how to safety put baby into the positions, so rest assured your baby will be in safe hands! Some of the poses are not able to be safely carried out with one shot alone. Your baby’s safety is my upmost priority and therefore for these, two images will be taken and put together in the editing room to complete the look of the pose.

Props

The session includes the use of my beautiful props. Please choose your favourite two from the selection below:

Key: (S) = great options for incorporating siblings / (T) = great options for incorporating twins.

Newborn photoshoot sussex — Rattan Basket (S)

Newborn photographer in east grinstead — Metal Chair(S)

Siblings / Parents

Whilst shortly after birth, before your body has had the chance to recover and you are getting used to the sleepless nights, I totally get that you may not feel like wanting your photograph taken. But I implore you to do so. Do it for your baby! If you later decide not to choose them to buy, you have lost nothing by taking part, but at least you will not regret doing so.

If you would like to have your baby photographed with mum, dad and any siblings, these are always done first. This allows me to photograph you all before you get too hot and to capture the older children while they are still intrigued so they are more likely to want to join in. Newborn sessions can be long, so if you wish, one parent can take the older siblings off once they are done with their bit to prevent them getting bored.

Clothing

I supply everything your newborn will need, including outfits, headbands and hats that you can choose from at the beginning of your session. For siblings and parents I recommend plain colours with no patterns or logos. Pick something classic that won’t go out of fashion. If in any doubt, black or white t-shirts are great choices as they are timeless. Co-orindating your outfits will really be the finishing touch to your family portraits. This doesn’t mean you need to wear the same colour, but choosing similar tones will mean focus is not led by any one person. If you would like some skin to skin portraits, these are also an option.

Parents are photographed as upper body only. Siblings will be full body, depending on their age.

In order to keep your baby settled and comfortable, I photograph in a very warm room. It is therefore recommended that you dress in layers for your own comfort.

Once baby has arrived

Please contact me as soon as you are able once your little one arrives so we can finalise your session date. Providing baby is home from hospital, your session will be scheduled for when your baby will be between 5 – 21 days old.

If your baby has to be kept in hospital for any reason beyond 21 days old, please do not worry about your session. I will work with you to get the best out of your session as soon as your baby is able.

On the day

Session length

Please allow 2-4 hours for your session. Babies are unpredictable and I like to allow plenty of time to capture memories of your precious brindle. The length of the session will depend on how settled your little one is and how quickly I can move from pose to pose, not the amount of images that I take.

Dressing your baby

Dress your baby in an outfit that is easy to remove without disturbing them. Avoid clothing that has to go over the head as it’s more likely to disturb them – If they arrive asleep I will begin photographing straight away so the less I have to disturb them the better. A popper sleep suit is ideal and a blanket or two to keep them warm instead of a vest, depending on the weather.

Feeding and comfort

Please bring your nappies and changing stuff as normal.

Bottle Feeding – Bring plenty of milk if you are bottle feeding – more than you would normally use to ensure we have enough. I can provide hot water for warming milk.

Breast Feeding – Please refrain from eating spicy foods 48 hours prior to your session. These can sometimes unsettle a baby when passed through your milk.

Please don’t be alarmed if your baby feeds more than normal. This is just due to them being constantly moved. If we can keep their tummy lovely and topped up this will help encourage sleep.

Dummies – If you use or are open to using a dummy, please bring a couple with you as they are a fantastic aid to help pose baby.

Scratches and marks

Your baby’s skin will be getting used to the world. Don’t worry about flaky skin, scratches, stork bites, rashes or spots. These are all removed in the editing room afterwards (unless requested otherwise). Birth marks and other permanent marks are not removed unless otherwise requested.

After Your Session

Please allow 2 weeks for the post production of your images. You will then be invited back to view your gallery or approximately 20-30 images and to choose your image package and wall art. You can remind yourself of your options here.

I am very much looking forward to meeting you and your precious bundle. Please don’t hesitate to contact me any time is you have any questions.

Where To Find Us

Cosy Toes Photography

First Floor, Unit 4 Riverside Business Park, Station Road,
Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5FS