Psst! This post is prettiest with your phone turned sideways!

Helpful answers to common questions

Check out the super helpful details below! If you're wondering how I make this magic happen without you having to leave home, reach out!

Once you book your session, you'll get a detailed guide to help you prepare, and signature sessions include an in-home styling appointment to get everything perfectly coordinated.

Newborn Session Information

Preparing for your Newborn Photo Session with Sarasota Newborn Photographer, Lisa Bigness

Whether I come to you or you to me, read below for helpful info and a couple of pointers that will help during session day.

For my Signature Newborn Session, baby will be photographed using my full range of props and accessories – I specialize in photographing posed, sleepy newborns. Session times can vary anywhere from 2-4 hours, depending on the baby.

The Lifestyle session is a relaxed-posed family session, with baby wrapped and posed with the family in the home, in a relaxed, casual manner. Some props or baskets for the baby can be brought for additional variety. This session is up to 3 hours.

The Petite Newborn is a baby only wrapped session and lasts about 1 hour.

The ideal age for babies is 6-30 days old, but I photograph posed newborns up to 8 weeks old. Older, larger newborns will typically not be able to do some of the super squishy poses, and generally prefer wrapped posing.

Please be sure to check out my blog post on My Top tips for Soothing Baby – you’ll find the super helpful wake times tip that will help for an older newborn’s session.

The easiest way to ensure a sleepy, settled baby is to keep the baby warm, and be willing to offer a pacifier and/or feed them as needed.

Burping is also very important, as any gas buildup in baby’s tummy can cause them to be upset when being positioned and moved during posing. Many parents keep gas drops on hand with pediatrician approval for older newborns.

I’ll have you start feeding your baby after I arrive, while I am setting up for our session. A fed and warm baby is a sleepy baby!

During the session, the shooting area will need to be kept quite warm for baby’s comfort. Typically, around 85 degrees. I will bring a space heater with me to help achieve this temperature.

Remember – baby just came from 98.6, so no matter how hot we are, they prefer it – especially when they’re not wrapped.

Dress comfy while you’re not being photographed – I will!

While your new baby may not take a pacifier, please keep one on hand as it will be helpful in keeping the session moving along when baby might otherwise be unsettled.

Lastly, I bring a lot of equipment and things for the session and it all takes up a bit of space. I will set up either in the dining room (or kitchen table), or a bed room – whichever has the most space and is most accessible.

At my location, older siblings must absolutely have another adult present for their care, or be brought in just for their portion of the photos.

Parent and family posing is done in front of a backdrop, space permitting, or blank wall. This will be determined during your consultation ahead of time so you get perfect photos of your newly expanded family♥