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table of contents
The Newborn Guide
Welcome
I’m so excited for your newborn session! I’m so honored to help you capture some fresh, timeless, classic images of your new baby as you welcome him or her home and into your family. I’ve created this guide to help you get the most out of your photos, and by the time you’ve read through this, you should have most of your questions answered and feel prepared for your session. So grab a warm cup of coffee and get cozy. In the pages ahead, I will help you prepare for your own baby’s newborn session, then I’ll take care of the rest! Your only job is to be yourself, smile and let me create photos you’ll love. I can’t wait to get you and your growing family in front of the camera!
I'm Married
My hubby, Arturo, is my best friend, biggest encourager, and the love of my life. We were married on September 1, 2017 (which also happens to be my birthday!) and it was one of the best day of our lives. We had our dream wedding in Vail, Colorado at Vail Chapel and The 10th where we had dreamy mountain views at 10,000ft on a sunny Colorado day! I love doing life with him and having him by my side. Him and I are VERY different from one another, but we love that this has helped each other become better versions of ourselves. Marriage is such a beautiful gift and I love growing in our marriage every day and watching how he adores our two kids.
I'm a Mom
(& a dog mom!)
My husband and I are lucky enough to be parents to our two babies- Mia (3) and Leo (just a newborn!) We love watching them grow into their own little personalities and soaking up these chaotic yet precious days with them so little, knowing it's going to fly by in an instant! We also have two sweet labradoodles, Luna and Milo! We added them to our family pre-baby and they have slowly been accepting their move down the totem poll since we've had kids.
get to know Kaitlin
Before we jump right in, here are three things you NEED to know:
A Few of My Favorite Things
A few of my favorite things include training for my next race on the Monon, daily trips to Starbucks, play dates at the park with my kids, date nights with my husband, a glass of Cabernet after the kids go to bed, our trips to Colorado and the fresh mountain air, and snuggling our pups on the couch while watching out latest Netflix binge. Do we have anything in common?
My Why
Newborn photography has captured my heart since becoming a mom! After my daughter Mia was born, the pandemic had just begun and the work shut down. Sadly, the newborn photographer that we had hired had to cancel her session with us indefinitely and my husband were left taking lifestyle newborn photos of each other. I'm so grateful for these photos and that I'm a photographer myself, but it just wasn't the same not being able to have all of us in front of the camera together soaking in these sweet newborn days. Over the next few months, I finally realized what everyone meant when they told me "it goes by SO fast". I find myself often looking back at our pictures and videos of Mia, and SO wish I could slow down time! Despite the craziness and tiredness of the newborn days, there truly is so much beauty in your baby's first days of life, and I am honored to help you capture it. I let your baby take the lead during the session, and work to capture the details and love in the purest form, right in your home! Newborn sessions are stress free - we allow plenty of breaks for feeding, diaper (and outfit) changes. Your only job will be to cuddle and smile lovingly at your sweet new addition (pretty easy to do, right?!) and I will handle the rest!
Scheduling Your Session
I recommend booking your newborn session date for 1-2 weeks after your due date. While babies are unpredictable and often come earlier or later than your due date, it is important to have a tentative date on the calendar since I only take 2 newborn sessions a month. We can always move your date up or push it back, but I’ve rarely had to do this when we schedule within this time frame. As you begin thinking about your session date, consider whether your partner will be home, or if you will need to do your session on a weekend. Also, if you know you will be having a C-section, you might want to schedule closer to that 2 week mark so you have a little more time to recover before having pictures. Or maybe you are just so excited for your new addition that you know you will want pictures right away, while everything is still fresh! Whatever you decide, I am flexible but love to get something on the schedule right away. I begin all sessions late morning or early afternoon when the sun is highest in the sky, and can stream beautiful lighting into your home. Our start time is also flexible if you need to adjust it based on feeding times or sleep schedules.
What is Newborn Lifestyle Photography?
Lifestyle newborn photography is about the connection and love that family members have for this new life. This is a snapshot of what life was like when your baby was born. I’ll capture special moments with each family members (even your fur babies), as well as family pictures of you all together. There will also be time for photos of your baby alone. These are usually done when your baby is sleepiest and while I’ll pose her a little while keeping it very natural. I take photos of babies swaddled, undressed or in a neutral onesie.
PREPPING YOUR HOME
One of the most beautiful things about lifestyle photography is that we are able to focus your images around truth. I will document special moments in your life as they naturally happen. After all, that is why your newborn session is taking place in your home instead of a studio. Preparing your home for your session does not mean redecorating. I want to photograph your true life, not a life that was designed for a photo session. Preparing you home isn’t about changing your style, it’s about simplifying your space.
I will focus your session in the nursery and your master bedroom, and possibly in your living room. Decluttering these spaces is key to getting beautiful lifestyle photos. Prior to your session, your job is to remove items that aren’t necessary for your photos, or items that you don’t want in your photos. For the nursery, this means putting baby wipes in a drawer, taking down baby monitor cameras (if able), and putting away newborn accessories such as swings, bouncers, and other baby gear that may be laying around.
For your master bedroom, this means clearing off nightstands, removing phone chargers, taking laundry hampers out of the room, removing tissue boxes etc. In other words, preparing your home means tidying up. If you forget an item or two, don’t worry! I’ll make sure to take a look around to see if I find anything that might be distracting in your photos. The only other thing I ask you do is to have your bed made with a neutral quilt or comforter on top. White or lighter solid colors always works really well. Your bed is a great place for cuddly family photos!
Overwhelmed and don't have the time for Option 1 & 2? Simply give me everyone's sizes, and I'll create a custom mood board for you! I do this day in and day out, and sometimes it's helpful to have a professional just do the work for you. You may want to switch out a few things which is fine, but having a color palette and seeing how patterns and clothing textures work together can give you lots of ideas you may not have thought of.
let me do it for you!
Click here to see the dress options that I currently have in my client closet! Most of these are maternity, postpartum AND non-pregnancy friendly! You can choose up to three dresses for me to bring to your session, and I will bring them steamed and ready for you to try on before we begin. (I have a pop up "changing room" that I bring to sessions for outdoor sessions) You can then utilize Style & Select (see Option 2) to help you build your outfits for your family around that to successfully coordinate without being too 90's "matchy matchy"
utilize the client closet for mom's dress & build around that
need help choosing outfits?
What is Style and Select? It is a online software I've subscribed to specifically for my clients. If you wish to use this option, use the code KMPSTYLED to create your own family outfit mood board. You will select the color palette you're most interested in, input everyone's sizes and it will give you several outfit options to choose from to build each family members outfits. At the end it with provide links for each product so you can easily order it to your doorstep. Easy peezy!
utilize style & Select to coordinate outfits + links
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Check out the KMP Client Closet
Click here to start the process using code KMPSTYLED
Email me to let me know you'd like me to do this for you!
CHOOSING COLORs
When choosing colors for your outfits, I recommend selecting softer, lighter tones and more muted shades. Avoiding ultra bright, bold colors will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about your new baby. The camera loves shades of soft pink, muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. That softer color palette fits beautifully into most nurseries and master bedrooms.
style tips for baby
Comfort comes first. The purpose of a newborn photoshoot is to capture your newborn and all of his incredibly tiny features, and to showcase the relationships between this new baby and the members of your family. We will take some pictures of him in his crib, on the master bed, and cuddled in your arms, so keeping him cozy and happy is one of our priorities.
Keeping your baby’s wardrobe simple is key to a successful newborn session. While frilly dresses on girls and collared shirts on boys are absolutely darling, they are way too much for a newborn session. The best look for your baby is a simple white onesie that fits well. Not only is this look easy and low maintenance, but it helps to showcase the small body of your newborn. You can even try having your baby wear a onesie one size down, to ensure it fits really well. Because babies are so tiny, it is important that their clothing is simple and fits well or it will look like they are being swallowed by fabric. You will be absolutely amazed at how well a baby photographs in a basic onesie and how its simplicity helps to keep the focus on the baby and not his clothing.
A basic onesie is a classic and timeless look for your baby, and looks perfect all on its own. However, you can absolutely incorporate some flourish into your pictures if you would like to by choosing well- placed accessories. A sweet look for a baby girl is a basic onesie with a fitted and delicate bow. Just be sure hair accessories fit properly and are comfortable for her. A bow can be subtle and a classic way to dress up a newborn. By keeping it simple with a basic onesie, the bow can be a statement.
Prints are something that tend to be a fad, and should be avoided when selecting a newborn wardrobe. However, if you love the idea of incorporating some kind of print into your images, a swaddle is a beautiful addition that can be used in some photos and then removed for others. There are so many adorable swaddles with endearing prints and patterns. If the rest of the family is dressed in neutral colors, your baby will shine in a sweet swaddle.
style tips for Mom
Keep your outfits simple and comfortable! In my experience, I find that soft neutrals photograph beautifully. I recommend basing your wardrobe around soft whites, creams, grays, or colors that are on the pale side of the spectrum. For moms, I recommend a soft flow dress or pair of light colored pants with a neutral colored top. Avoid bright colors and black. Although everyone says that black is the most slimming colors to wear, it’s really the least flattering option when doing newborn portraits. Because you’ll be holding your baby on your chest, a dark color is going to make your baby’s skin appear rough, red, and shadowy. Stick to light colors that bounce lots of light back on your baby to really illuminate his complexion and yours. Also skip the busy patterns for this type of session; you want the viewers eye to be drawn right to your sweet little baby. Classic styles will allow your photos to feel soft and fresh.
Long dresses are very flattering on new moms. They elongate your body and are very elegant and classic in portraits. Choose a maternal, classic dress with a beautiful flow to help give your images movement. Avoid maternity dresses that are tight around the waist and emphasize your belly. Or choose to wear light colored pants and a soft, neutral top. Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve. You could also wear a sweater or cardigan to add extra texture and visual interest to your images. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so I recommend avoiding those whenever possible.
Lightweight cardigans and kimono tops also look amazing on new moms with a tank underneath, plus they’re super comfy! Choose a neutral color, or one with a soft pretty floral pattern. Consider having your nails manicured or painted for your session (or at least remove nail polish that might have been there since before you went into labor!) I will photograph everything from close-up photos to full body shots, so this can help you be prepared for those close shots of you snuggling your new baby.
As for footwear, I recommend going barefoot! Your lifestyle session is about you being cozy at home with your newborn, and barefoot is natural and looks more relaxed.
Worth Collective
Baltic Born
PinkBlush
Madewell
IvyCity Co
Nothing Fits But
Morning Lavender
outfits for mom
Hey Little Diddle
Kyte Baby
Oat and Co
Wild Ivy
Aden + Anais
Lou Lou & Company
outfits for baby
where to shop
style tips for DAD
Long fitted pants and a button-up shirt or sweater is the most sophisticated and masculine look for men. Roll the cuffs on his sleeves to be a little more casual. If he wants something even more laid back, a solid gray t-shirt looks really nice in photos too. Solid tops and light colors pants work best. Stay away from dark clothing, patterns and prominent logos or writing on clothing. And go barefoot! We want to keep this session cozy and comfortable. Keeping his clothes simple and neutral helps draw the attention to his face as he holds the sweet baby in his arms.
Follow the same color guidelines. Select soft, light tones and more muted shades. Muted blues and light neutrals like heather gray, creams, and white all look amazing on camera.
PReparing your family
Older children are often so excited to introduce me to their new baby brother or sister! When I arrive for your session, I will often ask siblings to take me on a tour of your home to show me the baby’s nursery. Then, we generally start with sibling pictures and family pictures so that siblings can go and play during the rest of the session.
I love helping with outfits for big brothers and sisters! I always recommend sticking with the soft neutrals we’ve mentioned. Clothing can have soft patterns to it, but avoid anything too loud or anything with words or characters/cartoons. The most classic pictures are the ones where outfits don’t compete for your attention, but they are subtle enough that you can focus on the sweet moments between the new sibling. And again, I recommend barefoot for kids!
IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS!
DOGS
Yes, we can absolutely include your dog (or other pet) in your newborn photo session! Dogs are just as much a part of your family as your new baby, and I am always willing to incorporate a few family pictures with your sweet pup. I love dogs and enjoy having them join in the fun. Just make sure to have some treats on hand so we can get him into the perfect position for your family photo, and I’ll handle the rest! Newborn pictures are even sweeter when the whole family, including your furry friend is involved.
The beauty of being in your own home is you have the chance to incorporate bits and pieces of yourself. Whether that is your favorite knitted blanket from Grandma, artwork you have created in the nursery or a special gift you received at your baby shower, you have control over what is captured. Feel free to incorporate any special family quilts, heirlooms, or baby blankets that you would like to use in your pictures.
preparing for your session
All of these little details can seem like a lot to focus on prior to your session day. But I promise you, taking the time to focus on the details will make your session that much more successful. As always, I am available during the planning process of your session in case any questions pop up. Some moms love sending me photos of their wardrobe options so they can get some help deciding what to wear, and I am always more than happy to give my opinion about what would look best on camera.
Prepping Your Newborn
This is such a special time in your family’s life, and I am so honored to help you capture it. There will be so many emotions during the shoot- love, excitement, wonder, amazement. It will be tough, but try to relax! Moms tend to stress out because they want things to be “perfect”. I will take your baby’s lead and allow him to be the focus of the shoot. If your baby cries, or poops, it’s okay. I promise!
Newborns are unpredictable, and this photo shoot is all about them. Please don’t worry about your baby’s crying or needing to eat during our time together- it’s okay! Newborn sessions are purposely longer to allow for plenty of breaks, feedings, diaper and outfit changes. I always recommend feeding your baby right before we begin our session so that he or she is sleepy and content when we start. After that, your only job is to cuddle and smile lovingly at your sweet new addition (pretty easy to do, right?) And I will create images that you will cherish forever.
PHOTO DELIVERY TIMELINE
2-3 Days: sneak peek with a few of my favorite photos
2-3 Weeks: Online gallery with all of your final, retouched, high-resolution images.
DOWNLOADING YOUR PHOTOS
When downloading your photos, we recommend downloading the ENTIRE gallery all at once, so you immediately have a copy of all your images! After downloading your gallery, be sure to save it to multiple places. You can also download individual images as you want them!
ACCESSING YOUR PHOTOS ON YOUR PHONE
The online gallery system that we use is extremely mobile friendly! To access, just go to your phone’s web browser and navigate to your gallery’s webpage link. It works seamlessly just like it would on a computer! You can download individual photos onto your phone for crisp and clear Instagrams and having access to your memories at all times.
ORDERING PRINTS
You can actually order professional and affordable prints from within your online gallery and have them shipped directly to your house! Prints are printed in a professional lab to ensure color and contrast accuracy. You are more than welcome to print images on your own. However, we would warn you to avoid Walmart, Target and Costco. We cannot promise that the colors will print true-to-life if you choose to print at those stores!
GALLERY EXPIRATION
Your gallery is guaranteed to remain open for one year after your session. Therefore, we highly recommend backing up your images in more than one place, on multiple devices, flash drives, hard drives, and even in online cloud storage systems like Dropbox or iCloud. You can't have enough copies!
SHARING YOUR IMAGES
You are completely free to share your images wherever you would like! Whether it's on social media, printing them for your home, or sending to your friends, share away! We want you to treat your images like they're yours. Just keep in mind not to add filters or re-edit them in any way. Watermarking is not necessary, but we just ask that you credit us in the caption! Feel free to share your gallery link with your friends and family!
Online gallery
HEIRLOOM Albums
Heirloom albums are the perfect way to put your newborn and family photos to use. These make perfect Mother's Day, Birthday or Christmas gifts!**
We will email you after your full gallery is delivered with more information on how to begin the design process.
The Empowered Pelvis PT and Wellness, LLC
Restore Your Core PT
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Pelvic floor therapits
Cooper Family Chiropractic
Sacred Spines LLC
Chiropractic care (mom + baby)
Indy Lactation Consultants
Lactation consultants
Postpartum Recommendations
Postpartum Care USA
optimizing postpartum health
hair
Drybar Keystone (hair only)
Black Swan Beauty (makeup also)
Something Blue Stylists (makeup also)
cleaning services
Glorious Cleaning
The Cleaning Authority
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Thank you for allowing us to photograph your sweet family in the newborn stage!
I know I just gave you a lot to think about. I created this guide to help you make your newborn session experience something you’ll look back fondly on for years and years to come. At the end of the day, though, the outfits you select and the design of your nursery won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make with your new baby. Your future memories are the most important thing to me, and I want your session to be a time for you to just soak it all in and enjoy your newborn. Have fun together. Smile a lot. Cuddle your new baby. And I’ll take care of the rest!
With love, Kaitlin
One Final Note!
