How to Prepare for Your Luxury Newborn Photoshoot: Tips From Your Michiana Newborn Photographer
Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most beautiful and rewarding milestones. Capturing those first days with a luxurious newborn photography session is a priceless investment. If you're located in Northwest Indiana, any of the Chicago suburbs, Michiana, or surrounding areas—choosing me ensures an unforgettable, laid-back, and luxurious experience. With a little preparation, your session will feel relaxed, enjoyable, and filled with precious moments. Here’s how to get ready.
1. Feed Baby Before You Arrive
To set the stage for a calm and peaceful session, fully feed your little one right before leaving for the studio. A content and sleepy baby is ideal for those adorable curled-up poses. If you're traveling to my Michigan City studio from more than 30 minutes away, don’t fret—we’ll make plenty of time for a full feeding upon arrival!
To help minimize the stress of this important day, I do ask that all clients arrive 5-10 minutes early for your session. This helps reduce stress and fear of being late or caught in traffic! If you are traveling from more than 30 minutes away, you are welcome to arrive as early as you need for comfort. I do set up the studio the night prior to our session, so I am ready for you whenever you arrive!
2. Dress Baby for Comfort
Keep it simple. Dress your little one in a loose-fitting outfit that zips or snaps up the front, avoiding anything that needs to be pulled over their head like a onesie/bodysuit. Skip putting baby in any tight socks, and put baby’s diaper on loosely as these items are notorious for leaving marks on their delicate skin.
Remove any diaper cream from baby’s skin the morning of your session. If using petroleum jelly for circumsized boys, please apply as normal. Just let me know at our session so I can place down a small absorbent pad for baby’s comfort!
3. Bring a Pacifier
Even if your baby isn’t using one regularly, or you are not planning to use one going forward, a pacifier can be incredibly helpful for soothing baby and using it as a distraction while posing and transitioning between poses. Opt for a soft, simple pacifier without any stuffed animals attached to minimize facial marks.
4. Keep it Calm and Relaxing
My studio is kept at a cozy 75-80 degrees to ensure your baby stays warm and comfortable. Since newborns have less body fat, they aren’t able to regulate their temperature as well as we can. Many poses feature your baby in delicate wraps, knit outfits, or even bare skin, so the warm environment helps them stay calm, content, and sleepy throughout our session.
Expect a session length of about 3-4 hours, to allow ample time for feeding as needed, diaper changes, and plenty of snuggles. The more relaxed we all are, the smoother the session will go.
5. Family Wardrobe Tips
For timeless family portraits, I recommend wearing solid black clothing and bringing along a cream colored change of shirt for any sibling only photos.
Moms, opt for simple and neutral makeup. Trim and remove any old nail polish, or repaint with a neutral color polish. Many mom’s opt to wear a comfy pair of plain black yoga pants with their black tee shirt. No need to fret about shoes, as my family photos are from the hips up!
Dads, ensure your facial hair is freshly groomed, trim and clean your nails too! Iron any clothing ahead of time—even if it’s a brand new plain black tee. Pick a plain black pair of pants. These can be jeans or just some plain black comfy sweat pants, no slacks required today! Please refrain from wearing pants with holes in them for our session as these can be a distraction in family newborn photos!
For siblings, stick to plain black outfits as well to keep the focus on your family’s love and connection. For girls, keep hair accessories small, simple, and black or cream color.
6. Prepare Older Siblings
Sibling shots are a beautiful way to capture the growing bond between your children. If young siblings are joining the session, consider bringing a grandparent or a separate vehicle with your partner to take them home once their photos are finished. Keeping young ones entertained with snacks and toys works wonders if it is not an option to have someone take them home.
For sibling only photos, I do recommend a change of outfit to a white or cream color. For girls, avoid dresses with puffy sleeves as these often get in the child’s face during photos, coving either them or their new baby sibling!
7. Trust the Process
Newborn photography is an art, and one that requires an immense amount of patience from all of us. Every pose is carefully adjusted, fingers are delicately arranged, and each backdrop is smoothed to perfection. This is a time to slow down and be patient, to give baby reassurance and snuggles as they need, and listening to every cue they give me. While I work to respond to your baby’s every need and perfect each image I curate, I encourage you to sit back, relax, and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I know it’s been a long and tiring first few days, this is time for you to zone out—scroll TikTok, nod off next to your partner, but, most importantly, relax knowing your baby is in trusted and safe hands.
Why a Luxury Newborn Session is Worth It
I know it may not feel like it when we are in the thick of it, but this time is so short. These first weeks fly by so fast, and your baby will grow faster than you could ever imagine. Investing in a luxury newborn photography session means capturing their delicate features, sleepy smiles, and those precious details through timeless artistry. Each portrait will serve as a cherished memory for years to come. Whether that’s in a museum quality piece of wall art, or a timeless album that you will hold close and cherish as the decades pass.
If you’re expecting in the Chicagoland region, NWI, or Michiana—now is the time to schedule your newborn session with Patricia Nicole Photography, reach out today! Let’s create lasting memories that you will pass down to your sweet baby one day!
