We recommend that you schedule your newborn session PRIOR to your baby’s birth to ensure a spot on our calendar. Contact us during your second trimester and we’ll pencil in your due date. We will contact you the day after your due date to schedule a time for your session. If there are any changes to your delivery, please let us know!

If you’ve missed that window and Baby has already been born, don’t worry. We understand life happens. We will photograph newborn styled sessions up to 6 weeks of age.

scheduling

For newborn sessions, we schedule at least two hours but it may take up to three hours depending on Baby’s cooperation. We like to provide ample time in case the baby needs to be fed, hushed, or lulled to sleep.

session length

Newborn sessions are best scheduled in the morning. Babies tend to sleep better first thing in the morning, and this helps achieve those sleepy photos we love.

SESSION TIMING

We strongly recommend scheduling newborn sessions within the first 14 days of life. (Within the first 7 days is even better!) During the first two weeks, the baby is more likely to achieve traditional newborn poses comfortably and is more likely to sleep through the session. Babies over two weeks tend to be more awake and active, and we cannot guarantee sleepy poses for babies older than 14 days. 

Around 8 days, babies begin to develop more mobility, which includes a lot of stretching and pushing with the legs! Getting them into curly newborn poses is possible but it becomes more difficult at day eight.

In addition, newborn acne is likely to flare up after day 14. While we can easily edit problem areas, we prefer to do as little retouching to the skin as possible.

We are happy to photograph children in newborn styling up to six weeks old, but if this is the case and you child falls outside the 14 day window, please either come prepared for photos or schedule a shorter session with us. Sessions that involve babies of this age or older typically work better if they include parents since posing baby in bendy poses becomes difficult to impossible.

A NOTE ON BABY'S AGE + POSING

At Adelaide Street, we believe comfort comes first. When I used to work at a newborn studio, I was always so amazed when new mothers would arrive five or six days after birth for their session. That's why the majority of our newborn sessions take place in your home. If the weather is warm enough and you're comfortable (and feeling up to it!), we can take the session outdoors.

Don't worry about a mess in your house! You just had a BABY! Dishes in the sink and clothes on the floor are expected. We really don't need that much space and can shoot around any problem areas. We will move any furniture or clutter that we need to, and will move everything back at the end of the session.

LOCATION

Sessions run most smoothly if you wait to feed the baby until the photographer arrives. A full belly helps the baby fall asleep easier and more comfortably.

We also recommend keeping the baby awake for 1-2 hours prior to the session. One great way to do this is by giving them a bath. They'll get to exercise their lungs and tire themselves out a little bit before the photographer arrives. Also, they'll be clean and fluffy for their photos!

FEEDING + SLEEP

All of our photographers have done hours of training in newborn safety and photography so you can rest assured that your little one will be in good hands. We also have an aide present during all newborn sessions to help the photographer keep the space tidy and the baby comfortable.

Our photographers always start as aides on newborn shoots under our lead photographer, Tessa, so they can become accustomed to the newborn session environment, learn how to best handle the baby, and see first hand how the training they've received can be actively applied.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding child safety during our sessions, please shoot us an email at info@adelaidestreetmedia.com.

SAFETY + EXPERIENCE

Look, we know you just had a baby and aren't feeling 100%, but maybe now is the perfect time to pamper yourself! Schedule a manicure, get a massage, splurge on a new outfit, or have your hair and makeup done for you! Remember to take care of yourself a little, too!

Simple colors and patterns are best. You don't need anything busy to make you look beautiful. There's also no need to go too matchy-matchy during a family session. (There's definitely a difference between matching and color coordinating!) Camis, knit tops, and even simple dresses work great! 

Your hands, and possibly even your feet, may be included in some shots during the session, so please be sure to give them some TLC prior to your session date.  Trim and tidy your nails and apply lotion to any dry spots. A little moisturizer on your face can also help you look and feel a little more refreshed!

Make sure the sleeves are not too baggy and the shirts are free of busy text, big logos, or too much pattern. WRINKLES DO SHOW UP IN PHOTOS, so please be sure to iron or steam all clothing prior to your session!

If you have any questions regarding styling or need outfit advice from the pros, take a photo of the outfits you're considering and send them to us via email (info@adelaidestreetmedia.com). Or you can always give us a call and we can talk through it!

STYLING + GROOMING FOR PARENTS

We LOVE natural light! The first thing we'll do when we arrive is scout your home for the place with the most flattering light. We will open blinds and curtains to let all that great sunshine in! Usually we supplement this natural light with a little bit of flash. The flash will be bounced off the ceiling or wall and is safe for Baby’s eyes.

We ask that you please turn the heat up in your home at least 30 minutes prior to our arrival. The best temperature is around 75 degrees (We know! So hot, we're sorry!) The warmth will help the baby get to sleep quickly and comfortably, and helps the session run so much more smoothly. We will probably be sweating for sure, but Baby will be comfy, and that's what matters most to me. That being said, dress coolly!

LIGHTING + TEMPURATURE

Please do whatever you can to keep the noise level to a minimum during our session. If you have other children that might create noise, try to find a sitter or family member to take them away from the home for a few hours. If you have a noisy pet, you may want to do the same. We’ll bring a white noise machine, but it doesn’t always block out tantrums and playtime.

If you have other children and would like them to be included in some photos, we recommend bringing them in at the beginning or end of a session and then having someone take them. Only those being photographed should be present to help maintain a calm environment.

NOISE LEVELS

We have a collection of swaddles, bowls, baskets, blankets, knit hats and headbands that we’ll be bringing to your session. You are also, of course, welcome to use any of your own props. Look for items with texture and color to help make your images unique.

If you have any family heirlooms, toys, hats, props, etc. that you would like to use in your session, please gather them before we arrive. We may not get the chance to use ALL of the items, but we’ll look through them with you to determine what will work best.

We also STRONGLY recommend that you discuss any ideas, props or poses you have in mind at least a week prior to your session.

We start planning out your session weeks in advance, so dropping a huge idea on us mid-session (that requires an unavailable prop) can cause stress on everyone! So talk to us early on and let us know what you have in mind!

PROPS

Images are typically delivered within 3-4 weeks of the session date. We use online galleries through Pixieset to deliver our images. 

IMAGE DELIVERY

Images are typically delivered within 3-4 weeks of the session date. We use online galleries through Pixieset to deliver our images. 

Investment & Options

Newborn session: $500

2-3 Hours In-home Session
All the best images delivered in color and B&W
Convenient online delivery and print ordering

Baby's First Year: $750

2-3 Hours In-home Newborn Session
30 Minute 6 Month Session
30 Minute 1 Year Session
10 page Baby's First Year Book
All the best images delivered in color and B&W
Convenient online delivery and print ordering

• 2-3 Hours In-home Session
• All the best images delivered in color and B&W
• Convenient online delivery and print ordering

• 2-3 Hours In-home Newborn Session
• 30 Minute 6 Month Session
• 30 Minute 1 Year Session
• 10 page Baby's First Year Book
• All the best images delivered in color and B&W
• Convenient online delivery and print ordering