Ottawa Gatineau Belly Birth & Baby Photographer
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How to Prepare for your Baby Photo Session
Of course these are only guidelines and not rules, but in previous experience the sessions are a lot smoother when the guidelines are followed. Feel free to make recommendations of things to add to this list. We are always looking to make things easier on new parents & babies!
- first things first, RELAX! the last thing we want is for you to be stressed out over a photoshoot
- don’t cut or colour your hair at least a week before your session because you want it to settle and you want to make sure you love it (otherwise you may regret it in your images and we don’t want that!
- make sure your nails are cleaned, clipped & shaped (dad too!) and avoid coloured polish (neutral or French manicure is great); in fact, we recommend a couples manicure date few days before the session (make it fun!).
- if breastfeeding, avoid spicy or gassy foods or caffeine 48 hours prior to your session to avoid discomfort for you and baby.
- avoid consuming alcohol (all participants) the night before your session as it can affect your complexion and cause your face/neck area to swell and get puffy and red.
- it is recommended to prepare your wardrobe a few days before your session to make sure everything is cleaned, ironed, etc. and to make sure it all still fits; this gives you time to go shopping if needed.
- seasonal tips:
- avoid extended sun exposure during the week leading up to your session to avoid awkward tan lines and/or burns (and be aware of your garment shapes and straps)
- during the week leading up to your session make sure you bundle up to stay warm and avoid the sniffles and/or frosty fingers
The day of your session
- plan to arrive arrive at the studio between 5-10 minutes before your session start time
- if baby is sleeping when you arrive at the studio, the photographer will take over, which leaves you to relax (though we will need your help as spotter for safety). we will remove baby from the car-seat and get started right away with baby-only portraits.
- if baby is awake and needing to be fed, we will let mom do her thing and start with either family photos (if Baby&Family option) or grab some adorable bright-eyed baby portraits while they are awake.
- if you have booked the Baby&Family option, if there are older siblings it is recommend to bring them a change of ‘play-clothes’ so that after the siblings and family portion is complete, someone can take the kids to the nearby park to avoid them getting restless. they are also more than welcome to remain at the studio (perhaps bring a colouring book or a favourite quiet activity)
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For wardrobe options, here are the recommendations
The goal is to have options to choose from in case you change your mind day-of, or baby decides to make a mess. We will not use every single outfit option, but these are the typical choices that have proven to be classic & timeless, and photograph beautifully.
- a plain yet classy neutral (white, grey, beige, black — neutral tones)
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- for mom, we recommend a semi-fancy, neutral, tank top or t-shirt with optional cardigan (seasonal)
- for dad, we recommend a matching/coordinating t-shirt or polo, without logos or zippers, and avoid buttoned shirts
- for the kids, we recommend a white/cream/beige dress for the girls, and white tee for the boys
- for baby, nude is best, and a light & plain onesie works as a base: we’ve got all the wardrobe and accessories at the studio.
- dressy yet comfortable paints: jeans, black yoga pants (the newer the better so they are still black and not ‘bally’) or a long skirt
- for dad, we recommend either dressy jeans, beige or grey khakis, or dress pants (light-medium neutral colours)
- for the kids, we recommend jeans or beige dress pants/khakis and no shirt for the boys and
- for baby, nude or diapered is est
- feel free to also bring along a fancier top for everyone, making sure to keep things to natural tones (nothing too bright in colour) and patterns to a minimum.
- for outdoor sessions, you will likely only use one (maybe two) wardrobe options; we recommend the dressy and/or casual options (arrive to the shoot location in your desired outfit)
The idea is to make sure your baby is the start of the image, and to make sure you all look like you’re going to the same place (whether it’s a coffee date, pic-nic, rodeo, diner party, or couch day, etc.). If mom is wearing jeans and a tank top, dad should also be wearing casual pants and a neutral top. However if she is in a fancy bra and yoga pants, odds are that dad without a shirt wearing jeans is the best pairing. Not to worry, you will be guided in-studio, but make sure you bring all your preferred wardrobe options! Check out our inspiration board for ideas!
Don’t have anything nice to wear? No problem! We have a wardrobe stylist who would love to work with you in finding the perfect coordinating outfits for your session!
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If you’ve booked the add-on for professional hair & makeup stylists
- arrive with freshly washed and moisturized face (try not to use any abrasive cleansers or scrubs less than 24 hours prior to your session)
- arrive with freshly washed and dried hair, without any product (air drying is recommended)
- bring a few pictures of yourself so that the makeup artists can make sure the look is ‘you’ (photoshoots are not the time to experiment with completely different looks)
- feel free to create a pinterest board with hair & makeup ideas to send to the stylists in advance for inspiration
- session start time doesn’t change, we will simply do baby-only portraits first while mom gets pampered. enjoy 🙂
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