Newborn Guide | laneandmistie.com

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Newborn Session Preparation Guide

Our studio is located in Midland at 306 W Wall St., Suite 817. There are visitor parking spots located near the front of the building (see image below where circled vehicles are parked). The front of the building faces Wall St. and you will see Pristine Organic Dry Cleaners Signs on the front corner of the building near the visitor parking. You can walk to the front of the building right past the Dry Cleaner's to the first door you see to enter the building. The elevators will be straight ahead to your right. When you get off the elevator on the 8th floor, we will be to your RIGHT. We will be the first door you come to as you walk down the hallway. Moms, please let me know when you arrive and I would love to come down to meet you and help you up to the studio. (Mistie 432-934-3701) Please see additional suggestions for feeding baby and what to wear below.

This preparation guide will help your session go more smoothly. If you are unable to follow any of the guidelines, please don’t worry. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that I’m able to capture those timeless images you are envisioning. If that means patiently rocking your little one or taking several feeding or cuddling breaks, that is ok!

Before the session

• If you are breast-feeding, try to avoid eating anything spicy or gas inducing (i.e.   pizza, spicy sauces, garlic, broccoli, thai/indian food, etc.) that might upset baby’s tummy for 24 hours preceding your scheduled session. It’s best to stick to a relatively bland diet the 24 hours before your session.

Day of the session

• We suggest that babies feed IMMEDIATELY before their session AT THE STUDIO. Please arrive a little before your session starts to allow time to feed in the studio (or in your vehicle, if preferred). This is probably the most important tip we can give you! A newborn session generally takes about 2 hours and, since babies generally feed every 2-3 hours, feeding right before a session can sometimes guarantee an uninterrupted session. In the event that the baby seems hungry during the session, we can take a break and let them feed again. We suggest giving your baby their normal morning feeding around 3 hours before your session. Of course, if baby gets hungry we totally understand if you need to feed before then. Feel free to follow their normal sleeping schedule if they are on one. We know it can be hard to keep them awake, especially if you have to drive for more than a few minutes to get to the studio and we do not want them to be overly tired and unable to sleep. Some babies do not sleep through their session. Some are wide awake the entire time!! We will still achieve amazing images!

• If possible, please have a bottle of breast milk or formula ready for the session, along with a pacifier should we need it. This is especially important with twins and maintaining the flow of the session. I understand that many mothers are trying to avoid a pacifier during this critical time of learning to breastfeed. But I hope you’ll consider that pacifiers are so useful in soothing fussy babies back to sleep during the couple of hours that we are together. If you are not comfortable with the use of a pacifier, we are absolutely on board with whatever you choose!

• Dress baby in loose fitting clothes to avoid any lines on skin. A onesie that opens in the front is best, as this avoids having to lift anything tight over baby’s head.

During the session

• The studio will be warm during the session so that your baby remains comfortable. There will also be a small space heater, if needed, to keep your little one warm. Please dress in layers so that you can remain comfortable during the session.

• Newborn sessions generally take 2 hours. If a toddler is involved, a session may take up to 3 hours.

• Please take advantage of this time to relax.

• I recommend having no more than yourself, your spouse/partner, children and one guest if necessary. Too many extra people in the studio make for somewhat challenging creative conditions and can be distracting.

Newborn Session Clothing Guide

Colors for the studio

We will have wraps and outfits for baby. If you have a certain outfit, blanket or other keepsake you want to incorporate, please feel free to bring it. If mom, dad and/or siblings will be included in portraits, these are tips for their clothing choices. Ultimately, these are your portraits and we want you to wear what is comfortable and represents you. These are merely suggestions of what we think works best for those that want ideas. Earth tones like beige, khaki, olive green, taupe, cream and brown are all great colors for the studio. You will be photographed on a cream, white or gray colored backdrop, so choose colors that will complement one of these tones.

Moms

• Please choose a simple dress or blouse.  Solid cream/neutral/jewel/earth tones work really well.

Dads

• Choose a coordinating solid colored long or short-sleeve shirt, solid colored button-up, or knit sweater in the earth tones mentioned above.

Siblings

• For boys, jeans or khaki pants paired with a solid neutral shirt/sweater that complements mom and dad’s clothing choices. No logos, preferably. Or he can go shirtless for a natural look and feel.

• For girls, a simple dress with no pattern or a subtle pattern looks best. Soft pinks also work nicely with a cream backdrop. We have a small selection of girls dresses In the studio, ranging from size 18 months to 6 years.

Newborn Packing List