How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photo Session | East Bay Newborn Photographer

There is nothing like those first few days at home with your new baby.

So full of love. So full of awe! And SO tired!

It’s seems like everything you do, even just simple every day tasks, is new. No longer can you just go hop in your car and run to the store, for example. Now you have to get the baby ready, fed, diaper changed, in the carseat, buckled… then you can go out to the car and to the store. It can all be overwhelming to say the least.

I recommend that families come in for their newborn photos within the first 10 days. And I know how hard it can be to just make it out the door in the early days! So let me help make it a little easier by sharing what you need to know to prepare for your newborn photo session.

How to Prepare Your Baby

Try to change and feed the baby right before you leave. A dry and well fed baby will likely fall asleep in the car on the way to the studio.

Most babies who come to the studio asleep will stay asleep for their entire session!

How To Dress Your Baby

Don’t worry about bringing fancy outfits. So save yourself the trouble, and leave the outfits at home. I have everything we will need, props, swaddles, wraps, outfits for the baby.

Expect To Be In The Photos

I always take a few photos of the parents with their new baby for most of my packages, so come prepared! I find that neutral colors work best, and try to stay away from clothing with patters or logos.

Have Fun (And A Sense Of Humor)

My goal is to have your newborn session be relaxing and fun, but sometime newborns have their own plans.

If your baby cries. If they pee or poop on the studio, or even on me…. it’s okay!! I’ve been working with newborns for almost 5 years, and I’m the mother of two. I’ve seen it all and nothing phases me… I promise.

Your photo session is a time to celebrate your baby and your new family! So enjoy it!

Oh, And One More Thing

If despite your best made plans, things happen and you’re running late, no worries… just give me a call or shoot me a text to let me know!

And if you have any other questions about now to prepare, fell free to send me an email at breyburgphotography@gmail.com.

Walnut Creek East Bay San Francisco Bay Area Newborn Photographer | Baby Sleep Regression Ages: When (And Why) They Happen

Sleep Regressions: What They Are

A sleep regression describes a period of time (~3 to 6 weeks) when a baby or toddler who has been sleeping well suddenly starts waking at night, taking short naps and/or skipping naps for no apparent reason. Parents often describe being caught totally off guard: you think you have conquered all your baby’s sleep challenges, when suddenly, out of nowhere, you’re back to constant night wakings and nonexistent naps.

Frustrating, to say the least!!

Remember, every baby is different, so what is true for your friends’ babies may not necessarily be true for yours. That is, your baby or toddler may show true regression signs at some of these month markers, but not others.

That said, there are some ages during which most babies or toddlers go through a regression that affects their sleep:

4 Month Sleep Regression

This one’s permanent, parents! That is to say that the changes that happen with the 4 month sleep regression are permanent changes. By 4 months, your baby has ditched her babyish sleeping patterns and is sleeping more like an adult – and that translates into frequent night waking (and lots of fussing) along with shortened naps.

6 Month Sleep Regression? Or, a Growth Spurt?

In my 10+ years of experience as a sleep consultant and working with thousands of families over the years, there isn’t a 6-month sleep regression. Some 6-month-olds do have sleep problems around this age, but there isn’t a 3 to 6-week period with chronic sleep problems like the other regressions listed on this page. Sleep regressions happen at many ages but not this one. Learn what’s really happening at 6-months old here:

8 Month Sleep Regression

The 8 month sleep regression is all thanks to the developmental milestones that are happening around 8 months, 9 months, and 10 months. At this stage, most babies are making great strides physically – learning to crawl, pull up, cruise, etc. There’s also a lot of brain development happening at this stage. Your baby is absorbing language like crazy!

Finally, most babies are cutting at least a few teeth during this season. Add it all up, and you get more night waking, shorter (or even skipped) naps, and one cranky baby on your hands.

9 Month Sleep Regression

The 9 month regression is really just a continuation of the one at 8 months. However, some babies don’t start this sleep regression until they turn 9 months old. There is nothing wrong with your baby if sleep was fine at 8 months old but not at 9 months old.

10 Month Sleep Regression

Just like the 9-month sleep regression, the 10-month sleep regression is really just the culmination of the regression at 8 or 9 months, depending on when your baby started this phase. The entire sleep regression lasts 3 to 6 weeks, on average, and some days/weeks will simply be better than others. The main difference with 10-month-olds is that many of them can stand up in their beds, which can complicate matters.

11 Month Sleep Regression

The 11-month nap regression doesn’t seem to affect as many of our clients as the other regressions do. It seems to be a less common one.

At any rate, this regression has a lot to do with naps – specifically, you might find that your baby suddenly starts refusing their second nap, and tries to get by with just one nap.

Lots of parents assume that this is a normal nap transition and that it means their little one is ready for just one nap a day.

Most toddlers really aren’t ready to transition to just one nap a day until about 15-18 months old, on average.

12 Month Regression

The 12 month sleep regression is really the same as the 11 month regression, though if your toddler starts this one in the 12th month, it’s possible they will actually transition to just one nap early. Still, it’s better to be prudent and treat it as a phase for a few weeks to make sure.

What to expect at your newborn portrait session | San Francisco Bay Area Newborn Photographer

The newborn phase slips away so quickly.  Your baby changes and grows by leaps and bounds during the early days.  Before you know it, that amazing newborn smell is gone, along with the adorable peach fuzz skin and sweet little rolls and wrinkles.  There is no better way to document those details than with beautiful newborn images.

If you are thinking about having professional photos taken of your new baby, you likely have a lot of questions about what to expect.  I prepared this post to explain the entire newborn portrait process at my studio.  From what happens after you submit an inquiry, to finally seeing the images and receiving your beautifully finished artwork at the end. Not to mention all of the planning and work that goes on in-between! Don’t worry, I will explain everything you need to know.

Pre-Session Consultation and Planning

Our journey together begins with a pre-session consultation after your initial inquiry. This will be a phone call where we can get to know each other.  We will discuss your family and your goals for your portrait session.

This consultation helps set us up for a fun and successful experience together. During this time, we can also begin planning out the details for your newborn session.  We can discuss styling options for props, colors and poses.  Don’t worry if you aren’t sure on all of this just yet. I can provide with you some ideas, and this can also evolve as we get further along in the process.

Once you have decided that I am the perfect fit for your family, we can formally book your session to hold your due date in my calendar.  This guarantees my availability for your baby.  We will determine the actual date for your portrait session shortly after baby has arrived.  The ideal timeframe to come in for your newborn’s portrait session will be within two weeks of birth. Don’t worry, I will stay in touch with you as your due date gets closer to help welcome your bundle of joy and make sure that we don’t miss a beat!

The Portrait Session

Your session will take place at my comfortable home studio in Walnut Creek. I will have everything setup and ready before you arrive so that we can get the most out of our time together.  This will include backdrops, wraps and any props we may have discussed during our pre-session consultation.

Once you arrive, we will take some time to get settled in before starting. This is a good time for a diaper change or a feeding for baby. Newborn sessions usually last between 2-3 hours, so its important to make sure baby is comfortable and has a full belly before we begin. This should allow them to sleep uninterrupted for the duration of our session once I get started.

There is a restroom and a diaper changing station stocked with newborn diapers and wipes available for your convenience. 

Image Reveal and Product Delivery

The next step in our newborn portrait process is the most exciting – getting to view and choose your images! Shortly after your portrait session I will email you link with 50-60 images taken during session.  This is when you will get to see the unedited images from your session. You will get to choose the ones you love best and create your list of favorites.

Retouched images will be ready within two weeks, at which time you will receive your digital files in an online gallery.  In the meantime, your artwork order (if chosen) will go into production, and your products will be ready for delivery a few weeks later.  Delivering your finished artwork is always my favorite part!  I just love seeing my clients’ reactions to their beautiful products.

Can You Photograph An "Older" Newborn? Yes!

Common knowledge within the newborn photography community is that newborn photo sessions need to be done within the first 14 (or even first 10) days. There are many reasons for this. Having come from a quite a small environment recently, they are able to curl up into those adorable curly and squishy poses with ease . Also newborns at this age tend to fall asleep and stay asleep, leading to a smoother and faster session.

That being said, sometimes parents do not come into the studio within the first two weeks. Perhaps they didn't know newborn photos needed to be done so soon. Mom may have had a rough birth and is just trying to recover. Maybe the thought of packing up their baby and heading out of the house so soon is just too overwhelming (I know it was for me!). Whatever the case may be, does it mean they missed their opportunity?  Absolutely not! 

With patience and appropriate expectations (and a lot of milk!), I have successfully photographed newborns up to 7 weeks. We wrap them up, we can take family and sibling photos, we can capture the little details and more often then not, we can get those sleepy bean bag poses. 

Yes, it is easier when newborn babies are only a few days old. However I could never deny a family beautiful newborn photographs because their baby is outside of the ideal window. 

See baby girl at 4 weeks old as an example.

Lyanne