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Newborn Welcome Guide Everything you need to know to prepare you for your brand new baby's first milestone session

Welcome! Congratulations on your pregnancy! Thank you so much considering Violet Lace Photography to photograph your pregnancy and/or your newborn baby! I take this opportunity as an honor to be a part of my clients lives.

You will come to realize that although this is your baby, this is our journey together. With that, it is my hope that you allow me to keep photographing your child’s milestones; years down the road and watching them grow personally and photographically.

I completely understand all the questions regarding a newborn session, so that’s why I’ve created this detailed Welcome Guide. I try to give as much information as I can to give you detailed information based on all my past experiences with my newborn sessions. I will admit that I'm not very good at sugar coating things. I'm just one who wants to know exactly what to expect and not just what I'd prefer to hear. My intent is to just be as informative as possible.

If you have any further questions, feel free to email or call for any further information. Contact information is on the back.

ABOUT ME

WHO'S VIOLET LACE?

“Violet” and “Lace” (AKA: Lacy) were my great grandmothers. I loved their names and felt it so relevant to capture their names in my photography business. All I have of them are pictures that tie us together. Photos represent so many generations from the past and our future. Then who am I? Well, I'm Lindsey...and it's SO great you're here!

MY PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY

I am a self taught photographer in all genres including newborn, children, family, maternity, seniors, engagements, and weddings. I started dabbling in newborn photography in 2013, but went full time in 2015. I've photographed well over 200 newborns.

MY PERSONAL JOURNEY

I am madly in love with my husband and grateful for our life. The most important aspects of everything I live for are our 3 daughters. They keep us on our toes with all their activities and sports, but they help keep us grounded. My time with them is so valuable and you can’t put a price on that. That said, I started limiting my amount of sessions I do every week, month and year so I'm not missing out on important things in their lives.I feel the part that sets me apart from other photographers is that I DO take all the moments personal. To heart.

Whether it’s a newborn pose, a baby is a 6 month old, it's a wedding, or a family. My heart really is at the forefront of my thought process in doing business. I treat my clients like I treat my own family. I communicate with your children like I communicate with mine.

TIME + TALENT + EXPERIENCE

First and foremost, all my clients are provided with an individual experience. You won’t be treated like a number or feel like I’m trying to empty your wallet. There’s no hidden fees. I’m always here to answer your questions and meet your needs the best way I can. When you’re hiring me, you are hiring a proficient photographer with hundreds of hours of newborn experience. Not only photographing babies who have only been outside of mommy for just a few days, but safely posing and comforting them. I’ve taken numerous hours of workshops and tutorials to perfect posing, proper set ups, etc...

Whether it be the tiny milia bumps on his nose, the kinks in her new hair, the seemingly long toes for such a tiny body, or the deep fine lines from soaking in mommy's womb for nine months.....all the details only a brand new baby will have for just a few short weeks.

THE STUDIO

I am ALWAYS updating my collection and trying to find new items that fit my style--timelines + uniqueness. I provide countless newborn items that are all handmade personally by me or purchased through boutique stores from Etsy. Items include hats, bonnets, tie-backs, blankets, flokati throws, rompers, wraps, bow ties, etc.... One hat alone is over $30. I am only able to use the items, at most, 3 times to keep items up-to-date and personal for each session. I have limitless newborn posing props: including antique boxes, baskets, vintage cases, and bowls. Also over 70+ backdrops and floor drops. To view the current backdrops in the studio, click on the link below.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Now that you've booked your due date with Violet Lace Photography, here is further information regarding what's to come, what's needed from you, and what you can expect from VLP in regards to your newborn's session.

S T Y L E

Reed | 15 days brand new

I have really tried to be consistent with my style of newborn photography. What does that mean? It means that I need to choose props, colors, and poses accordingly to my style, but I want to meet parents requests as well.

There were a couple of times where mom came into the studio and showed me all these poses she wanted from Pinterest. (She meant no harm of course.) It's so easy to assume that's how newborn photographers work, but it's actually the opposite. First, mom showed all these beautiful images from completely different photographers from all different newborn sessions.

W O R K F L O W

Experienced photographers, like myself, will have a workflow of posing from the time you walk in to the very last...including many of those poses mom showed me. Newborns are similar, but very very very different. My workflow will change accordingly to your baby. Some baby will not allow certain poses. Some babies are wide awake because mom really thought she'd sleep right through her session and there was no concern in the morning suggestions I had given, and other babies are zonked out almost the entire time.

Let it be known, I am picky. Every finger must laid out sweetly, lips are puckered, nostrils are hiding, etc... Every pose takes time....and a sleepy baby with a full belly.

This is what most sleepy babies allow for a newborn session. This is not all his images, but it gives a general idea.
Newborn babies do sleep 16-18 hours a day, but they only get into a deep sleep stage for about 45 minutes every few hours. A huge reason we don't want that deep sleep to happen right before you leave the house.

POSING

I usually am able to get 3-4 'poses' in a session, with 20-40+ images. Ex: Family pictures would be one pose with various transitions--Images with just mom with baby, just dad, both parents, just siblings, etc.

Posing Transitions

[In NO particular order]

Pose 1 | Family/Sibling Picture- Sometimes this is last depending on siblings' mood and comfort level. Some siblings need more time to warm up. Some dads and/or siblings arrive towards the end of the session since it can get long for younger ones.

Sibling portrait

Pose 2 | Wrap- I typically wrap the baby and start with posing on the flokati because this is how they fall into a deep sleep if they are nice and full....and sleepy. I can get 3-10 portraits out of this pose.

Baby girl wrapped up, wearing a handmade bonnet, and posed on a flokati

Pose 3. | Posing Bag- Like the image above, James is on a brown/beige posing blanket. I typically get 3-8 images with different wrap styles and angles, baby nude (notice there are no privates showing of course), and baby in an outfit to match the theme.

Baby boy posed on posing bag in hand made outfit

Pose 4 | Prop- Whether it be a box or a basket, bed, wood stump, bucket, etc... I typically choose the newest one I just bought the day before! (I may or may not have a slight prop addiction.) This pose can allow for 3-10 images.

Baby boy posed in an authentic milk bucket, wearing a handmade bonnet/hat.

C O L O R S

How do I choose props and colors? When I book your actual session date, you will receive an email from me. I'm going to ask you about baby (name, DOB, and weight) and I'm going to ask you about your preference of colors and/or colors you want me to avoid.

My color preference is muted tones, organic, classic bold hues and neutral. I don't ever want a color to be completely ridiculous when these newborns are adults one day. I never use orange. If I use green, its a deeper shade similar to hunter green. If I use yellow, its very-very light--not quite cream. Current favorites I love boy colors on girls---blue...ugh, it's gorgeous on a girl. Mauve and muted pink tones are new loves, too. Cream and beige is always timeless on both girl and boys.

I typically choose 2 color themes that blend well together so it looks nice in a collage based on your response.

"B I R T H" D A Y

Your baby has arrived! Congratulations!! Here's what's next:

I S A B E L L E | eight days brand new
  • You (or anyone) is required to message me (text or email) about baby’s arrival with 24 hours. I can't explain how many times a new mom messaged me a 2-3 days later and I was not able to get them scheduled soon enough because other babies arrived within the same time frame and my schedule was too full.
  • I'm going to ask you 2 questions (unless you give the info when you inform me of baby's arrival) 1. Did you have your baby naturally or by C-section 2. Are you strictly nursing or strictly bottle feeding (doesn't matter if its breast milk or formula) or possibly both. (I do understand you're intentions are there, but you may change your mind after a few days. That's okay!
  • I will schedule your newborn’s session anywhere from 3 days to 15 days old depending on your reply. Q Why? A. I need to allow any strictly breastfeeding mom and baby a little more time to get comfortable with each other. Cluster feeding is common in the first 7-10 days. By day 15, we've usually passed that stage and breastfeeding is much more comfortable. Posing is then easier for baby to sleep through.
  • Baby should be under 10 days, not be more than 18 days old. The earlier, the better so I can mold them into those precious positions!
  • Once your confirm the suggested date, I will give you updated information with your confirmation email. This information is for you to feel confident for a successful session and to ease your worries or concerns since you have enough on your mind with a brand new baby.
M A R B A C H | First Family Portait

EVENING BEFORE YOUR SESSION

V I V I E N | six days brand new

+ I am going to send you an email the night before your session. I do this purposely so it's after you’ve been able to sit down and relax, company has gone home, and you’re able to have a minute to yourself. It's nothing you need to worry about until the day of anyway. Besides, you have enough going on.

+ That email I sent though is the most important email in terms of having a sleepy--sleepy--sleepy baby for the session. It is going to be FILLED with tips and tricks to get the most out of our session to have a very deep-sleepy baby. I also include where to park, where to enter, etc...

V I V I E N | six days brand new

YOUR ARRIVAL

You will have spent most of your morning utilizing the trying the tips and tricks to keep baby from getting in that cozy-deep-dreamy-sleep. By the time you arrive, baby is ready to just sleeeeeep! It's even more relevant when you have a long drive to get here because there's NO way you're going to keep baby from dreamland in a car! lol.

Q. Who should come to the session? A. Husband and newborn's siblings are more than welcome to come. If no family pictures are planned, it can be boring for dad. All dad's are different. If husband cannot attend session or does not want to, you're more than welcome to bring your mom or someone to help you if you need someone to drive you or tend to your needs that I may not be able to. There's enough seating for mom and dad and small seating for children. Many mom's come alone, too.

  • My studio is located in the convenience of my home.
  • I am completely set up with all the props, wraps, hats, outfit, posing blankets, colors, etc... for posing your newborn. (Because once baby is in dreamland---I will not have to waste anytime setting up. I can go through my posing workflow.)
  • Expect the session to be about 2- 3 hours of photography with tons of experience to handle your infant safely and keep baby comfortable at times.
  • I will have you undress baby down to a diaper (remember studio is already 85º, so baby won't mind at all). I provide you with diapers and wipes, bur rags, receiving blankets, etc...
  • You will then feed baby. If nursing, baby will likely fall asleep and doze off minutes into feeding. It's important to waking her up so she gets super full. If not, we will need to stop mid-posing because she's just not into that full belly--sleepy dreamland state yet. Unless you’re strictly nursing, you will need more than 1 bottle for this session. So pumping a bottle or two will be helpful. It always helps to keep a bottle on hand if she gets the munchies and starts to get a little fussy in the middle of a really cute position.
  • You will have full access to Wi-Fi, cable, netflix, and comfortable seating. There's also toys for children. I do have a gate to keep children in the studio and away from the stairs.You’re welcome to bring beverages or snacks if you’d like. I do provide bottled water.

YOUR PERSONAL HEIRLOOMS

Q. Can I bring my own containers/props, outfits, blankets? A. Absolutely. I encourage personal heirlooms like blankets a grandmother made or the outfit you came home from the hospital in, a childhood teddy bear, etc.... In fact, when I send you your confirmation email on the actual session date, I will ask you to text me images of the items. This is imperative so I can plan for it using it in the session BEFORE you arrive and not trying to figure out how to make it work during. If you're thinking something may or may not work, just ask!

+ Proper Fitting. It is important that it fits properly. Often times Aunt Sue may have made a hat or a cow costume, but its way too big for him yet. In this case, I may not be able to use it.

Q. My mom made me cute bird costume for the newborn session. Can you use that? A. Costume themes are not part of my style, but I will certainly incorporate it. I will try to match the posing color theme with that costume, so I can add the costume in and make use of the color theme without it as well. This way, I'm able to accommodate the costume as well as stick to my posing style. It's just important it fits.

FURTHER INFO ON FEEDINGS

+ For nursing moms, I provide you with anything to help make you more comfortable... boppy pillows, blankets to cover you, and a cozy glider to help rock baby to sleep. If you need to pump at all during the session, please bring that as well.

+ Bottle feeding (Pumped breast milk or formula). Please assume your newborn is going to eat 3 full bottles—or twice as much as usual. So many times, mom has only brought one bottle and we have to cut the session short because the baby is hungry and mom didn’t bring extra milk and she’s not producing enough herself. (Maybe because we are moving from pose to pose so often that it works up an appetite, maybe it's a growth spurt, maybe it's because baby eats more than parents thought?) Same for pumping---bring extra. We just never know. I have a bottle warmer.

Optional Bottle. If you're nursing and you're okay with your little peanut having a bottle instead, we can save about 30-45 minutes of nursing time. I don't mind what you choose to do. (If mom knew prior that me giving her newborn a bottle that takes 5-10 minutes to get baby back into dreamland vs having to try to go back to nursing---she may want to know that information---so that's why I share it. ;)

+ Pacifier. The pacifier is always needed during the session. I can tell you that a bottle or pacifier has been a savior through many of my shoots. Just a couple sucks to soothe her back to sleep is commonly all she needs for comfort. Even if she’s never had one before. I have sterile, unused pacifiers in the studio.

Poses with Flokati. This is commonly one of the first set of posing I do because they get snuggly warm after they have a full belly and clean diaper.

S A N I T A T I O N

Your baby’s health and safety is very important to me. All my items are washed and sanitized in gentle soap after all newborn sessions. If your baby has any skin allergies that you are aware of, please let me know.

+ Rescheduling Sick Clients. Prior to your arrival, the studio itself and the chosen props and blankets are cleaned and sanitized. I do not allow any children with any sickness into the studio at any time. If children, babies, and/or parents are ill, they are expected the reschedule. I will never risk a newborn getting sick.

+ Bare Bottoms. I rarely photograph bare newborns anymore. If you'd prefer a couple poses with your baby nude---no problem! Just let me know. (Nude would just be a side view of baby's butt.) I also use various items as well as such as wraps, diaper covers/bloomers, and hats. If you’d like something more personal and not seen or used on other babies, I definitely appreciate and encourage your prop attire as well.

+ Pee and Poo. Your baby WILL likely pee and poo on me (if naked), possibly leak through their diapers, and spit up....on me and the props, blankets, etc.. Don’t feel bad or guilty or embarrassed. It’s completely normal and it doesn’t phase me one bit. ;) All items are properly cleaned. I have diapers, wipes, burp rags, and receiving blankets.

T E M P E R A T U R E

+ Studio Temperature. My studio has been warming up just for your baby to a cozy 85 º prior to your arrival. (Cozy for baby anyway!) Please prepare to be warm.

+ Even if its 90 º outside, the studio has 2 heaters going. One is for the entire room so I can move around without worrying about baby getting chilly. The other is a space heater that is kept with me and baby at all times to keep baby comfortable during undressing and posing.

IT ALL REVOLVES AROUND BABY

Expect The Unexpected. Your baby is perfect in every way and I want to display that in her portraits. There is still a chance your baby is caught at a time where she has her own reasons she doesn’t want her pictures taken. Whether she is really fussy, gassy, or is very sensitive to noise or touch. Yes, even with a week old baby. It happens and its important every parent is informed. I can photograph baby awake, but the session is for a sleeping baby. This shoot all revolves around your baby.

+ Stay calm. If you're stressed that baby won't sleep, they sense your stress. If you feel pressure or anxiety, again, the baby senses that, too. Bring your tablet, a book, etc... Or whatever you’d like to keep you occupied and relaxed.

Q. What can I do to help? Can I help with posing and/or sit with you? A. I need mom and dad to stay seated during the session. We can't have baby smell you or feel you when I am posing. I completely understand wanting to comfort baby if she's restless, but if I can't calm her to sleep, I will give her to you to try. Out of experience and my training, mom should watch. I promise I will ask if I need assistance. This is your time to just relax and take in baby being new.

FAMILY AND SIBLINGS

Q. I would like a family portrait and/or a sibling portrait? A. I’d LOVE to! This is included in the price. Like stated previously, I typically try to do this either right in the beginning or at the very end. I generally get one or two family portrait poses. I photograph on a cream backdrop to keep it simple, organic, and timeless. I also do a few portraits of just mom with baby and just dad with baby. Note: if you’d like individual shots of another sibling (not with your newborn), a separate child session fee is required.

Marcy with her new son, Reed.

WHAT TO WEAR

+ Parents with just a newborn. This is a close up shot since mom usually doesn’t want her waist in the picture. No need to worry about pants or shoes. Mom, wear cozy pants. Please be comfortable. For parents with other children, we will see some part of the pants, but you could get away with black yogas. We will only see feet/shoes on the children.

C O L O R S

+ My personal preference is white or cream. This is the kind of image where blending in with the backdrop allows for a timeless image. If you want to know what color to wear---it's that!

If not white/cream, I do suggest solid, simple colors. Black, cream, gray, brown, blue, etc... Baby will be wrapped to match with you. I have every color wrap, so we will decide that at the session. No textures. No florals. No plaid. No graphics or wording. A solid color long sleeve tee or solid polo for dad.

Q. Do all parents get pictures with their newborn? A. Absolutely not. Some moms have every intention of doing them, but changes her mind the day of because she's not feeling the best.

Family and Sibling Sessions

S I B L I N G S

+ This is an exciting time to get a sweet picture of your child/children with the new baby! I normally try to do the sibling/family portraits right in the beginning, but sometimes there's reasons we need to do it last. Sometimes its because it's too long for a toddler or sometimes we are cutting the session into nap time so toddlers come towards the end of the session. Sometimes its because toddlers need more warming up to the studio. The focus is your newborn though. If siblings aren't willing and we are losing precious sleep time, we may have to try later or another time.

Spencer with his twin sisters

+ Safety before cuteness. I choose to pose newborns with siblings accordingly to what's safe. I can't give an age on what is too young to hold baby because its according to each child. Siblings that have closer age ranges though, typically will not hold baby. I will have baby in a basket/container and toddler will sit next to baby. This part I always have a parents hands on to spot baby.

+ Q. Should my other children stay for the entire session? A. I have no preference. I've only had a couple of really sassy little ones who just did not want to hear anything mom and dad said---which made it a long 3 hours for both parents and siblings. It was very distracting for mom. I wasn't phased at all by it. lol. For the majority of my sessions though, kids are absolutely fine staying the whole time! There's plenty to do to keep siblings occupied. I have Disney+, Wifi, toys, and books. I want everyone to feel at home. My studio has plenty of room for kids to run and play. Most of it it is child proof. Dad can always take them for a drive or for some Scoops Ice Cream. Every session is different, so please make the decision on how to arrange your other children that best suits your family with the sole purpose of getting newborn portraits. I just want to make sure you know some options in case this was a concern.

POST PRODUCTION

I will typically consume about 6-10 hours to fine-tune all your images. I always soften babies' dry skin, lighten red spots, and fine art process your images before they are uploaded in your personal gallery.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE SESSION

  • Extra bottles and pacifiers from the hospital.
  • Extra shirt for yourselves in case of accidents.
  • Special items (heirlooms) you’d like incorporated as well as any props that may go with you or your spouses hobby or profession.
  • Tablet, book, and/or items to keep you occupied.
  • Snacks and/or beverages (Breastfeeding moms cannot drink caffeine 48 hours prior to session.)
  • Wear cozy pants and come relaxed and enjoy this milestone. Pants are not in the picture if you do a family portrait.
  • Breast Pump.
  • You really don't have to bring anything besides food for baby. I have diapers, wipes, bottle warmer, burp rags, blankets, pacifiers, etc.

COMMON QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

  1. I likely will not have my baby on my due date, so why do you schedule my due date for the newborn session?This helps me know your baby will be arriving a couple weeks before your due date up to maybe a week after. This is a session unlike any other. Every newborn is thought and thought to see what I can do different to make his or her session unique. The more I know about you and your significant other, the more creative I can try to be to bring that into a theme.
  2. Why is a newborn session so expensive? There’s about 15-20 hours put into one newborn session. We begin with the time it takes to communicate with expecting moms, go over questions and schedule their session. There’s thought and process into making the session unique. I commonly take time to create items just for your baby like a cloth banner backdrop, or make a small blanket. All my hats and headbands are purchased from handmade stores. Most hats range between $20-25 each. I have over 50 backdrops to choose from as well as various colors of faux fur rugs and various blankets. The session itself up to 3 hours, sometimes more if I can make the time, but the set up takes about 20-30 minutes and to sanitize all items I, you, or the baby would be in contact with. The clean up process includes all the props and cloth items being washed. The post production editing can run up to 10 hours. For the experience and quality, my price is the cheapest of anyone around.
  3. Where you do photograph newborns? I have a children’s studio in my home. If the weather permits as well as the time, I will try to get outside to do a beautiful shot of your newborn in an outdoor scene. I also will travel for an additional fee.
  4. Who can attend the session?If you have requested a family portrait with your new baby, then of course your spouse and children. I do highly suggest bringing two vehicles if dad and/or siblings don’t want to stay through the entire session. If daddy can’t make the session and you’d like to bring your mom or someone else, please feel free. I normally would never have a concern in who comes, but the studio only has limited room and seating.
  5. How many poses will you get with my baby?There is no specific number. I get as many as the baby as willing within the 2+ hour time frame. On a rare occasion, there have been a couple sessions in my newborn career that I’ve only been able to get a couple pictures---total.  Baby was caught at an unhappy time. We do try to reschedule, but there is a fee of $85 for an additional shoot. Most of the time though, we get plenty and clients are excited when they leave. I do email you the night before our session with specific instructions. Every single mom who has followed this has had a successful session.
  6. My baby sleeps ALL the time. I even have to wake her to feed her, so we should be done in no time.Actually, I hear something like this with every single parent and I agree. Yet, they are only in a deep sleep for about 45 minutes out of those 3 few hours we are together. This is such a tedious process and a lot of things go on to safely and uniquely handle and pose your newborn. Not only this, it happens about 50% of the time that we just happened to schedule your newborn when she decides to stay awake the first two hours. Which I only photograph them sleeping, give or take a couple pictures.
  7. My baby doesn’t like to be naked. What do you do then?No baby at this age likes to be naked in a home at normal temperature. My studio is warmed up to 80 degrees and the regulated space heater than warms just the area baby and I are in is regulated at 85 degrees. Babies will not like clothes on at this temperature.
  8. Can I bring my own props?Absolutely. I encourage it. Please let me know ahead of time so I can prep for this and coordinate your items with mine. Even a picture message would be awesome. If it’s a prop you’d like the baby to go, I’d love to know the dimensions to make sure the baby will fit.
  9. My nurse told me not to give her a pacifier for at least the first 2 weeks, so what if I don’t want to give my baby one during her session?That is completely up to you. I want to do whatever you are comfortable with. I will be completely honest though, I’ve had more successful sessions and portrait options/poses for babies I could comfort with a pacifier for 30 seconds as we try to mold and position her into those precious poses. I have never had a mom tell me that her having a pacifier during her session caused breast feeding problems.
  10. When can we see the images? You will be sent a link anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks after your session. Details will also be included about viewing your gallery and if there’s anything else needed from you for me to finalize the pictures.

EXTRAS

Curious to the equipment I use? Click on the button below to view the current inventory.

Click on the button below to view the backdrops in the studio.

Created By
Lindsey Gerner
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Credits:

Violet Lace PHotography