Following these tips to prepare for your Perth newborn photography is the best way to ensure things run smoothly and you are happy with the results of your session.

Welcoming your newborn baby into the world is a magical, beautiful and downright crazy time of your life that you will look back on and think ‘I really don’t remember that’. It’s a time where you are surviving off little to no sleep, recovering from birth and soaking up all the family time together while navigating this new life.

It is a time that you most likely won’t remember to book photos, but will wish you had in the years to come. My tips below will help you ensure you are booked and ready for your session so you avoid regrets for the future.

Timing of your newborn photography

The timing of your newborn session is entirely up to you but knowing what you want to get out of your session will determine when you book.

A fresh 48 session is when you photograph your baby within their first 48 hours. They haven’t had their first bath yet, they may be a little squished from being in the womb and you are probably still running on the adrenalin of bringing life into the world. This is a great time to photograph your newborn as they are the first time you laid eyes on them and preserve that memory forever.

Within the first 5 – 10 days, bub will generally sleep deeply and peacefully with short wake windows, making it ideal to capture the sleeping photos and capture their little scrunched legs and arms.

Within the first 4-6 weeks bub becomes more alert but still quite sleepy and short wake windows. This can be ideal for capturing a mix of awake photos and sleeping photos. Personally this is my favourite time as I like the variety in the galleries and it allows you some time to settle after bubs arrival.

Think about where you will be comfortable

This one is huge. After birth, you are still recovering and navigating newborn life. The more comfortable you are, the smoother your newborn photography will go. Because when you are comfortable and at ease, your baby picks up on this energy and is also more relaxed.

More and more Perth families are opting for in home newborn sessions where we can photograph baby in their own environment. I love this option as it shows the first home they were brought to. Whether you are renting, it’s a stepping stone to a better house or it’s your forever home, one day your child will be grown up and able to look back and see where they first lived and you will have a flood of memories come back to you as you look back with them.

That said, if there is a special outdoor location that holds sentimental value to you or you are naturally more outdoorsy, chose a location that is easily accessible and prep for the weather. More on that coming up.

Be open to plans changing

This one can apply to parenting as well as your newborn photography! Let go of expectations and let plans change as needed. If you choose an outdoor location and the forecast on the day is windy and cold, it may end up being a different location with more shade, or even an in home session. If you have planned an outfit and bub has a blowout (because we know they happen!), have a backup change of clothes and embrace it all. It’s all going to be a laughable memory one day!

Dress bubs in appropriate Perth weather attire

An appropriately dressed baby is a happy baby. No it’s not a popular saying and doesn’t roll off the tongue, but it’s true. Perth newborn photography comes with the added challenge of extreme temperature. Scolding hot in Summer and icey cold in Winter. All this means is we need to wrap bub warmer in the winter and keep them cool in the Summer. Because when they are uncomfortable, they aren’t shy about showing it and your gallery will reflect their discomfort.

Chose cute outfits that are weather appropriate and everyone wins! From a safety aspect, if the weather is too extreme on the day we are scheduled, either look at rescheduling or changing locations.

Allow time for feeding

I am always happy to stop mid session for a feed. It doesn’t matter if bub just need a comfort suck, I truly get it. But some things to keep in mind. If you want breastfeeding photos, make sure bub is hungry enough to actually suck. If you want peaceful sleeping photos, try giving bub a feed just before we do these so their little tummy is nice and full for a deeper sleep.

Have any props ready/sentimental pieces

Think about any personal or sentimental pieces you may want to include. This can be blankets, family heirlooms, toys, loveys, outfits…the list is endless. If there is anything at all, we can absolutely include it in your gallery.

Lastly, book in advance

Book your Perth newborn photography when you book your maternity session. This is beneficial for three reasons. 1. When you book a ‘Bump and Bundle Package’ with me, you save money overall…win! 2. You don’t have to think about it when you are in the throws of newborn life and thinking about all the other more pressing issues at hand. 3. You won’t miss out on your preferred timing and will have your pick of dates.

I always allow for reschedules of newborn sessions without penalty because we know babies come on their own schedule. There is no way of knowing for sure when they will arrive, but booking in advance means a session is held for you and sending a quick ‘can we change to x date please’ is a lot easier than trying to book a new session.

Preparing for your Perth newborn photography with these tips will make the whole process go a lot smoother and be a memorable experience for everyone. If you would like to explore some dates and packages, get in touch and let’s chat!