If you are breastfeeding, it can help to avoid spicy, acidic or gassy foods (such as broccoli, kale, curry or onions) as well as large amounts of dairy and caffeine for approximately 48 hours before our session, as these can make baby unsettled.

Many babies at this age have dry skin. If your baby does, please avoid putting creams or oils on baby’s skin before the shoot, as these can leave a greasy film which does not photograph well. I have a product called Aquaphor in the studio, which is designed for baby’s skin and does not leave a greasy film. You are very welcome to use this. I can happily also reduce the appearance of any flaky dry skin, or milk spots, when I edit the photos. 

If you wish to have a portrait with your baby, keep the clothing simple. For family photos, neutral coloured clothes or dark clothes always photograph well, though kindly avoid logos, writing, characters and lots of patterns. If you are keen on black and white images, please avoid white and red tops, if possible. As it is always very warm in the studio for newborn sessions, I do recommend that you dress in light layers than can be removed.

I'm a big fan of skin on skin portraits, with you holding your baby against you.  They're so timeless! If this is something that you would like, I recommend wearing a strapless top or vest. Alternatively, I can wrap you in a scarf or other stretchy material I have available at my studio. This can make for some very tender images.

You won't need any specific outfit for the baby, as I will be photographing baby predominantly naked or wrapped, since everyday newborn clothing can tend to swamp babies and look bulky in photos. Newborns really do tend to look best photographed in very little. 

Please let me know ahead of the session if there are any siblings you would like to include in the photos. I tend to take sibling shots either right at the beginning or very end of our session (depending on nap times etc.), so that the siblings are then free to play elsewhere during the rest of the shoot. In terms of their clothing, plain muted colours, without patterns, logos or characters work best for boys' clothing, and jeans are always a timeless choice for trousers. For girls I recommend muted colours, or pretty dresses. Light patterns are fine, as long as no one else in the family has a patterned item on. Texture works well – so laces, frills and knits work are ok. Siblings will be barefoot in photos, so you don’t need to worry about shoes, socks or tights.

*Please do check siblings’ faces before photos for any eye gunk, food smears, or snotty noses. Likewise if they've been running around barefoot, it is wise to give them a quick clean.

*I do have a small selection of toys in the studio, but please also bring some toys / entertainment (e.g, a tablet) to keep older siblings entertained for longer, if they are staying for the duration of session. There is free Wi-Fi available.

Please be sure to bring with you plenty of nappies (7-8), because we tend to spend a lot of time feeding baby and they might need more nappy changes than expected. If you are bottle feeding, please bring along more milk than you think you will need. In addition, please bring the usual items you would have in your change bag – a spare change of clothes for baby, a blanket, a muslin or two, wipes, nappy bags etc. I have some of these items available for you to use too, but you may prefer to have your own favourite brands and products. It is always a good idea to also bring a set of spare clothes for yourself in case of poop or wee explosions. (Usually it is me who gets weed or pooped on, but just in case it is you!) Perhaps also consider bringing a book or iPad etc. for yourself during the shoot so you can relax during the session too.