Preparing for your newborn session

Hi and welcome! I am Tauni Joy, the all things tiny toed photography specialist and traveling photojunkie. Newborns are such a miracle, I love capturing and working with them, as well as babies and kiddos! My passion for photography and capturing sweet little ones came alive five years ago, however my love for photography started about 10 years back. Our babies are not babies for long, they change and grow every day and I want to capture the moment. My goal each and every session is to capture a light, unique and lovable image just for you and your family. I travel to the comfort of your home!

Newborn  photography is incredibly challenging, but it’s so amazing to be a part of baby’s life when they are just days old. There’s a bit of prep and planning for each session. I spend the time thinking of something creative just for you. Each session goes differently and I strive to go with the flow when it comes to your little one so we can get something beautiful!

I recommend that you schedule your newborn session PRIOR to your baby’s birth to ensure a spot on our calendar. Contact me during your second trimester and I’ll pencil you in! Then, shoot an email or text ,the  phone is always on me, soon after you deliver so we can arrange a time for the session.

(And I always feel super special when dad’s put me on the official “baby is here!” call list!  Just sayin’…) BIRTH DAY!

Newborn sessions MUST be scheduled within the first 14 days of life. However, the BEST time is between 3-7 days after their arrival.

I will be moving them around and scrunching them into those sweet sleepy newborn images, so we want to make sure they’re sleepy enough to allow us to handle them.

Plus, babies just tend to do a lot better with the session within their first 7 days! 

Somewhere around day 8 they discover the joy that is stretching! Once that happens…they’re not about to let us get them into those curly poses without a fight!

After day 14, it’s almost impossible to get baby into that deep sleep that came so easily in their first few days…so it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to get them into any of the more bendy newborn poses, don`t worry though I can still adapt and create something beautiful for you!

Where ...

Newborn sessions happen in the comfort of your own home! If the weather is warm enough and you’re comfortable with the idea, we can take the session outdoors. (Baby being all pose-y and cute in a big, open field or a big grassy hill maybe? SWOON!)

Worried to do the session at home because your house is a mess? Don’t even stress out! You just had a BABY! If you didn’t have dishes piled in the sink, dirty clothes and baby items strewn all about, I`d think you were weird and want to know your secret! Clutter is definitely expected! I’ve shot in-home sessions in the middle of moving in/renovating and in some very tiny spaces…and they rocked! I really don’t need much space and can shoot around any problem areas.

I'll also probably be moving furniture around if I need to make room, but don’t worry – I’ll put it all back when we’re through!

Lovely light ...

I ask that you open all of the blinds and curtains in your home prior to our arrival. This lets me find the best source of natural light in your home, so that I can set up our “mini studio” in the best possible location. Nothing flatters like natural light, so I prefer to use it whenever possible!

For this reason, sessions are normally done mid-morning to late-afternoon when window lighting is as its best.

When I arrive, I’ll walk through your home looking for the best light and that is where I’ll do a majority of the shoot

CRANK THE HEAT!

For in home sessions I recommend that you keep your home a bit warmer than normal during the session. (Like a toasty 80 degrees or so.)

Newborns are used to being all bundled up, warm + cozy…and then we come in and yank off all their clothes for those adorable naked baby shots. They tend not to like that too much!

Pushing up the thermostat is guaranteed to make the session flow more smoothly and help them sleep better. We may be sweating, but baby will be nice and warm…and that’s really all that matters!

Crank the heat 30 minutes before our session to ensure that it’s warm enough in time for the clothes yanking…and I’ll bring along a space heater to help keep baby in steady warmth.

RELAX!

I will say it again… Relaxxx!!!!

I am very comfortable holding and posing newborns. Your baby is in safe hands, I promise! So yes! Feel free to rest and leave the room for a bit if you’d like. If I have a question or need you for feeding, I’ll come and track you down :)     

Trust me mama take this time to sit and relax !

Have that coffee, wine , whatever you desire .

IN CASE YOU MISSED THAT: RELAX!

This is newborn photography...

I know you see your baby being fussy or having a difficult time getting settled and panic.

“This is a disaster! They aren’t going to get ANY good photos!”

It isn’t, and I will!

 I would say that a good 50% of your session will involve feeding, diaper changes, and cuddling to get baby comfortable. If that doesn’t work, we’ll take a break or we’ll work with what baby is giving us. Sometimes the best photos happen when baby isn’t doing what we want.

Just remember: Babies can sense stress and anxiety (especially from their mommy!) It’s super important that EVERYONE remain calm and relaxed during this session. Keeping the environment as mellow as possible is pretty much the only way we’re going to get the shots we’re looking for

POOP HAPPENS!

Your baby is going to be in the buff for the majority of this shoot. Please don’t panic if your baby decides to use my blankets (or ME) as his/her own personal potty.

This is natural and I expect it! Please don’t feel embarrassed or worry when this happens, because they all do it. 

I wash all of our baby props and blankets between each session with non-scented baby detergent. (This is why I only schedule one newborn session per day!)

It would definitely be helpful if you had a stack of old towels, extra wipes and blankets available for when things get messy though.

*If you would like shots in a diaper, it’s a good idea to have a cloth diaper, diaper cover in a solid color, bloomers, or something to put over the diaper. Diapers on their own tend to look a little messy and distracting in photos, but throwing a cover over it cleans things up. I have some to choose from as well!

PROPS

I have tons of little props from crates and baskets to knits and beanies. If you have something you want in a picture let me know! I know grandma wants to see her knits on your little one!

I OFFER SESSIONS FOR BABIES OF ALL AGES!

My growth chart is very popular most parents tend to choose newborn, one month, three months, 6 months and one year!

It is amazing to have the growth chart, you will love having such special images to display of your little ones first year! AND it makes beautiful gifts for loved ones!! 

WHEN DO I GET MY IMAGES

Newborn images can take LONGER to develop! However I always strive to have them to you in just TWO-THREE  weeks time! I spend a lot of time making sure you get something back beautiful! They will be uploaded to your own personal gallery where you can choose your favorite images that come with your package, feel free to share your gallery with your friends and family. They can order prints and digital images of your little one as well! 

THANK YOU for taking the time to read (or skim!) through my page! I look forward to meeting you and your little one or ones !

Have a beautiful day!  

-Tauni Joy        

PRICES

The Session Fee is $200 and due at time of booking.
The session fee includes time, talent, professional editing and an online viewing gallery. Packages and products are not included in the session fee.

Packages start at $399

Maternity and First Year packages are also available!