Newborn Session Preparation

Thank you for booking your newborn session with me, in this page there will be lots of information to help you prepare for the session and to help it run as smoothly as possible this information will apply to babies up to 12 weeks, however older babies will be in a more firmly established routine so for babies over 4/6 weeks treat this as guidelines.

If you have seen specific shots of mine you would like me to replicate or something simlar you MUST request these at least 24 hours prior to the shoot as I set up the studio the night before asking me to do certain things at the shoot if not mentioned before can be very dificult as I shoot the session using flow posing, and having to alter this to shoot something additional can disturb the baby and the shoot and wont have the best sucess, if I know in advance I can ensure your requests are added into my plan for your shoot

Before your newborn session:

Before the shoot, please try to plan feeds so that baby is fed shortly before you leave home, for around 2/3 hours before you leave try not let baby sleep, babys are normally the most sleepy in the morning, let baby lay in just a nappy and tickle toes/feet to try to keep awake, this will help baby sleep on route and be in a deep sleep for when you arrive.

If you cant feed baby before you leave we can start the shoot with a feed, however as a lot of babies can take 20-40mins to feed this will eat into your shoot time.

The studio gets WARM so wear layers you can remove this is for babys comfort, I do have an outdoor seating area if it gets to uncomfortable.

Arriving on time is very important I have sessions all day and cant extend the session please allow plenty of time to leave and get ready, learning to leave the house on time with a brand new baby is a skill and I understand that you can get held up, especially if it is your first outing with baby, any time you are late will have to be deducted from your session time and may effect the amount of images you have in your viewing gallery.

Family shoots - For these I usually shoot them at the end of the shoot, if you have a young sibling with you you may want to either bring something with you to occupy them for a couple of hours or plan for a partner friend or relative to take them out for a couple of hours till we are ready for them, I will usually have baby wrapped in a swaddle for sibling shots as they are easier to handle but if you choose we can have baby unwrapped for parent/family shots, or you can bring an outfit for baby to wear for this, please bring something thats a snug fit rather than too big otherwise it may bunch up around babys face.

What to bring with you:

If you bottle feed bring extra as baby may feed more as they will be hot and thirsty and as I disturb their normal sleep pattern by moving and posing they may need more to help them relax.

If baby uses a pacifier please bring it, even if baby doesn't and you have one, please bring it, these are very useful during the session to help sooth a restless baby.

Please bring with you a smooth/fleecy blanket (not cellular as these leave patterns on the skin)

If you have anything you would like to include in the images you are welcome to bring this along, I will only use items that are safe to be used near baby and in keeping with my style, please email me to show me abything you would like to include.

Refreshments - since Covid I have asked that you please bring any food and drinks with you, I sadly will not be able to provide anything it gets very warm in the studio so plenty to drink.

Anything to keep an older child occupied and plenty of snacks.

I do have wi-fi in the studio so if you have a little one that needs occupying you can bring a tablet for them to watch anything on it (maybe bring a charger)

Who to bring with you:

The studio is not a huge space and due to the equipment and props that do take over the space I ask that only the babys parents and siblings attend the session, if one parent can't attend clients are more than welcome to bring someone in place to help especially if you have had a c-section and need someone to drive you here.

Older Siblings:

If you are bringing other children to the studio it can get boring for them, if they can be easily occupied (tablets/phones are good for this) then they are fine to wait for baby to finish, however if you other children/child is easily upset or playful this can be very distracting or can wake baby up so sometimes if a partner or grandparent is available they can take them out till they are needed or while we finish the session.

IMPORTANT - If any member of the party behaves in any way which puts me, my equipment or props at risk the shoot ends with no refund immediately. Damages will be charged at full replacement value there and then. Unfortunatley I have had young children run round the studio playing with props and whilst I totally understand that young children get very bored at a long shoot they are not allowed in the studio if they cant be supervised properly as it is a working environment, I have electrical wires, Lights on stands and very hot heaters, not to mention very valuable props, my focus is entirely on your newborn so siblings must be kept quiet and away from the posing area.

Bring any food, drinks and snacks that will help keep little ones happy.

I have WI-Fi in the studio for little one to watch anything on phones or tablets (Bring a charger for that, I have USB sockets in the seating area)

During your session:

If you breastfeed the studio is private and not overlooked and I breastfed my children too so I would like you to feel comfortable to feed your baby.

The session can take anything from 1 to 3 hours this is to allow plenty of time for your baby to feed, for me to clean up messes and settle your baby if needed, but allow plenty of time if you do have to be somewhere afterwards in case we do need a little bit longer.

I will ask that during the session you allow me to take over. Babies can smell their parents and may not sleep well. You will be able to watch me mold your baby into different positions, and I may even ask for your help in supporting baby, you may feel the need to comfort your baby when he/she seems unsettled or starts crying but please do not worry. I have been photographing newborns for a long time now and have techniques to settle your baby back to sleep. Many parents refer to me as the baby whisperer as I am often asked to move in for those sleepless nights.

What to wear:

For your family shots the best things to wear are plain clothes, usually lighter tops and darker trousers.

Avoid anything with logos, or hats, NO WATCHES or hairbands on wrists.

For sibling shots simple and light coloured works best and no socks.

I can swaddle baby for your parent shots but if you have an outfit for baby please bring that too.

For my parent images gallery for ideas on what to wear visit this page: http://www.claireosbornephotography.co.uk/parent--sibling.html

Additional Information:

SMOKING! I am not a smoker and do not allow smoking inside the studio, however I understand clients may smoke, I have an area outside for you to go if you need to smoke.

I politely ask that for the duration of your session that you do not video or take photos with your phones or camera, this can hold me up and interfere with my shooting process, not to mention can be very distracting at a time where I need my full attention to be on your baby.

The safety of your baby is the most important thing to me and I will only use safe poses that I have used many times before and have trained in, please do not be offended if you show me a pose you would like and I won’t attempt it.

Every item I use on or near baby is washed or cleaned with anti-bacterial soap, spray or detergent before every shoot and between every client.

I will wear a mask and use hand gel while working with all clients

I ask that outdoor footwear is removed on entry to the studio

After the Session:

Depending on how busy I am at the time, the images could take anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks to be edited, you will recieve an email shortly after the shoot letting you know this.

When the images are edited they will be uploaded to a viewing gallery and a link sent to you to view them.

I know how tempting it is to chase to an ETA or update, please trust that I am working as fast as I can and will have your images back as soon as possible.