HENLEY DESIGN STUDIO

Simple Preparation Checklist For Your Upcoming Newborn Session

Newborn photography captures the precious first moments of your baby’s life, creating lasting memories for your family. At Henley Design Studio, we specialize in high-fashion fine art newborn sessions with a modern minimalist approach. Proper preparation can help ensure a smooth and successful photoshoot, allowing us to highlight the natural beauty of your newborn.

Table of Contents:

Why Choose Henley Design Studio

Henley Design Studio is the preferred choice for many families because of our commitment to excellence and the unique services we offer.

Our studio provides a relaxing and fully equipped environment, complete with professional hair and makeup artists (HMUA) to ensure you are completely comfortable and ready for your session. Our extensive wardrobe includes over 250 garments, luxurious fabrics, and trendy looks that perfectly complement our modern minimalist aesthetic.

With a variety of elegant scenes and backdrops, our studio creates a comfortable and personalized experience for every client.

Our experienced team is dedicated to capturing the unique beauty of your newborn, creating timeless images that you will cherish forever.

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Scheduling The Session

The ideal time for a newborn photoshoot is within the first two weeks of birth, typically between days 7 and 14. During this period, babies are still very sleepy and can be easily posed, resulting in those adorable curled-up shots. Schedule your session in advance to secure a spot during this critical timeframe. We will set a tentative date around your due date adjust as needed when baby arrives. 

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Baby Preparation

To ensure your baby is content and comfortable during the photoshoot, follow these tips:

Feed Your Baby: Make sure your baby is well-fed before the session to keep them calm and sleepy. This helps in achieving those peaceful, serene shots we’re known for.
Keep Them Warm: Dress your baby in loose, easy-to-remove clothing to avoid waking them when changing outfits. We keep the studio warm to ensure your baby stays cozy, as seen in our behind-the-scenes videos.
Soothing Items: Bring a pacifier, favorite blanket, or any items that help soothe your baby. A happy baby makes for a smooth session.

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Choosing The Perfect outfits

Newborns look best in simple, snug outfits or just a diaper. Our studio provides a variety of wraps, blankets, and accessories in soft, neutral tones that complement our minimalist aesthetic. Feel free to bring any special outfits or heirlooms you’d like to include in the photos. Our extensive studio wardrobe ensures you have plenty of options to choose from, helping you find the perfect look for your baby.

For moms, we offer a selection of luxury gowns that are both comfortable and flattering. With over 250 garments available, including flowing dresses and form-fitting gowns, you can choose an outfit that complements your style and enhances the overall aesthetic of your photos. Our gowns come in various soft, neutral tones, which photograph beautifully and blend seamlessly with our studio’s minimalist backdrops.

We also cater to dads by providing a variety of shirts that match our studio’s aesthetic. From classic button-ups to casual tops, our selection ensures that dads can feel comfortable and look great in the family photos. The coordinated outfits create a harmonious and elegant look, making your newborn photos truly special.

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What To Expect

Newborn sessions at Henley Design Studio typically last 2-3 hours, allowing plenty of time for feeding, soothing, and posing. Our experienced photographers will guide you through the process, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable experience. We prioritize your baby’s comfort and safety throughout the session. Our studio is designed with your comfort in mind, featuring a cozy feeding area, comfortable seating, and a warm environment to keep your baby happy and relaxed. We also provide refreshments and snacks to ensure you and your family are comfortable throughout the session. 

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Simple And Powerful Poses

We specialize in a variety of poses that highlight your newborn’s delicate features. Some popular poses include:

The Curled-Up Pose: Captures your baby in a fetal position, emphasizing their tiny size.
The Froggy Pose: Showcases your baby’s flexibility and cute facial expressions.
Wrapped Shots: Features your baby snugly wrapped in soft fabrics, highlighting their peacefulness.

In addition to individual newborn poses, we also offer beautiful and intimate poses that include mom and baby together, dad and baby together, and family shots. These poses capture the deep bonds and connections within your family. Our minimalist approach using neutral tones creates timeless and elegant images. Whether it’s a tender moment of mom cradling the baby, dad gently holding his newborn, or the whole family together, these poses highlight the love and joy of your growing family.

Gina is truly a next level expert at posing and will guide you through every step to ensure you and your baby are comfortable and positioned perfectly. So, don’t be nervous if you’re unsure – we’re here to help you create beautiful, natural-looking photos. Our extensive portfolio offers hundreds of pose ideas to inspire your session and ensure you have a variety of beautiful images to cherish.

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Props & Themes

Props and themes can add a personal touch to your newborn photos. We have a selection of minimalist props that complement our studio’s aesthetic. You can also bring personal items like a special blanket, a family heirloom, or a favorite toy. Discuss your ideas with us to create unique and meaningful images. Our props and themes enhance the natural beauty of your newborn, creating timeless photographs.

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Clear Communication

Clear communication with your photographer is key to a successful session. Share your vision, any specific poses or themes you want, and any concerns you might have. Gina and our staff will listen to your ideas and offer suggestions to create a session tailored to your preferences. Building a good rapport ensures a smooth and enjoyable photoshoot experience, and our team is here to make that happen.

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Photoshoot Essentials (packing list)

Prepare a small bag with essentials for your newborn photoshoot to ensure you and your baby are comfortable throughout the session:

• Diapers and Wipes: Bring extra diapers and wipes for any necessary changes.
• Extra Milk or Formula: If you are bottle-feeding, bring extra milk or formula to keep your baby content.
• Pacifiers and Soothing Items: Bring pacifiers, favorite blankets, or toys to help soothe your baby.
• Personal Props: Bring any personal items you want to include in the photos, such as special outfits or heirlooms.
• Extra Clothes for Parents: Having an extra set of clothes for yourself and your partner can be helpful in case of spills or accidents.
• Comfortable Shoes: Wear comfortable shoes for moving around the studio, and bring an extra pair if needed.
• Snacks and Water: Staying hydrated and having light snacks on hand can help you maintain energy throughout the session.
• Relaxation Items: Consider bringing items that help you relax, such as a favorite essential oil or a small handheld fan.
• Entertainment for Siblings: If you have older children joining the session, bring toys or books to keep them entertained.

Our studio is equipped with everything you need to feel at home, including a comfortable feeding area, refreshments, and a cozy environment for you and your baby. We strive to make your experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

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Conclusion

Preparing for your newborn photoshoot involves thoughtful planning and clear communication. By scheduling the session at the right time, preparing your baby, and choosing the perfect outfits and props, you can ensure your photos capture the special early days beautifully. At Henley Design Studio, our modern minimalist approach will highlight your newborn’s natural beauty, creating timeless images you’ll cherish forever. Remember to relax and enjoy the experience – your love and joy will shine through in every shot. We are here for you with any questions you have prior to your session and will stay in constant contact leading up to the photoshoot to ensure it is a success.

limited availability

Newborn
Highlights

We offer behind the scenes and session luxury highlight videos to capture the intricate details and special moments of your preferred portrait session.

We are currently only accepting a limited number of sessions for Maternity, Newborns, and Milestones sessions.  

If you are considering booking a session with our studio, please contact us at your earliest convenience to ensure availability. 

@henleydesignstudio my clients bring me the coolest things to use. This family of avid hunters brought this back from Africa. we also captured large elk antlers and even a hippo 😂 #newbornprops #newbornphotoshoot #babyphotoshoot #babyposingchallenge ♬ original sound - JessieMarieVilla

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“My experience with Henley Design Studio was absolutely beautiful! Her communication with everything leading up all the way to the shoot and photo selection was fantastic! The studio experience was something I’ve never experienced and I would not have be happier with anyone else! The atmosphere during the entire shoot felt like I was this movie star and I felt so special and beautiful! I recommend everyone book with Henley Design Studio! Her work is outstanding!”

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In-Studio Session FAQ

1. Can family members be included in the newborn photoshoot?

Yes, family members can definitely be included in the newborn photoshoot! Here are some tips for including them:

• Coordinated Outfits: Choose outfits for family members that complement each other and the overall aesthetic of the session. Neutral tones and soft colors work best to keep the focus on the baby.
• Preparedness: Make sure everyone is ready and on time for the session. This helps the photoshoot go smoothly and reduces any stress.
• Special Moments: We encourage capturing special moments between the baby and each family member, such as parents holding the baby, siblings interacting with the baby, and group family shots. These interactions create beautiful, heartfelt images.
• Communication: Discuss with us in advance how you’d like to include family members in the session. This helps us plan and ensure we capture all the important moments you envision.

Including family members in the session adds depth and emotion to your newborn photos, making them even more meaningful and cherished.

2. How can I keep my baby calm and comfortable during the session?

Keeping your baby calm and comfortable is key to a successful newborn session:

• Warm Environment: Babies are often happiest when warm. Our studio is kept at a comfortable temperature, but if you’re at home, consider using a space heater to keep the area warm.
• Full Stomach: Feed your baby right before the session to ensure they are full and sleepy.
• White Noise: Bringing a white noise machine or using a white noise app can help soothe your baby and keep them calm during the session.
• Comforting Items: Bring items that comfort your baby, like a pacifier or their favorite blanket, to help them feel secure.

3. What should I do if my baby becomes fussy during the session?

It’s perfectly normal for babies to become fussy during a photoshoot. Here’s how we handle it:

• Patience: We take breaks as needed to feed, change, or soothe your baby. Our sessions are designed to be flexible and allow plenty of time for these moments.
• Soothing Techniques: Our photographers are experienced in calming newborns and have a variety of techniques to help soothe your baby, such as gentle rocking and swaddling.
• Stay Relaxed: Babies can sense stress, so try to stay calm and relaxed. Trust that we will capture beautiful moments, even if your baby needs extra time to settle.