Newborn Session Preparation Guide

Scheduling Your Session

Once you are headed to the hospital—or before you leave—please text, call, or email Sarah to confirm availability within the 4-week newborn window. Some families choose to assign this task to a trusted family member or friend.

Preparing for Your Newborn Session

The goal is for your baby to be sleepy and comfortable throughout the session. Even the sleepiest babies can wake up once placed in front of the camera. Sarah uses a variety of soothing techniques in the studio, but what you do beforehand makes the biggest difference.

1. Keep Baby Awake

Keep your baby awake for about 2 hours prior to the session (no longer, as overtired babies are harder to settle). A warm bath is a great way to keep them alert. After the bath, keep baby on the cooler side and unwrapped until you leave.

2. Feed Right Before Leaving

Feed baby just before getting in the car. If your drive is longer than an hour, wait and feed upon arrival. The studio is located in Chesterfield, VA 23832, off Ironbridge Rd. 

3. Bring a Pacifier

Bring a Soothie pacifier (commonly provided by hospitals). Please avoid pacifiers with attached stuffed animals, as they interfere with posing. Even if your baby doesn’t normally take a pacifier, consider bringing one for the session—it helps greatly with transitions. Pacifiers are only used if other soothing techniques do not work. If you are opposed, Sarah will respect your wishes.

4. Clothing & Props for Baby

You don’t need to bring anything! Sarah has an extensive collection of wraps, hats, headbands, baskets, buckets, baby beds, and blankets. If you’d like, you’re welcome to bring a few special items from home to include.

5. Gas Drops

Gas is a common reason babies are fussy during posing. Sarah highly recommends bringing Mylicon (or another brand) gas drops. Even if your baby hasn’t shown gas issues yet, it may arise suddenly. Gas drops are safe, available over the counter, and can make a big difference. Please consult your pediatrician if you have concerns.

6. Loose Clothing

Dress baby in loose-fitting clothes (no tight socks, shirts, or pants). Tight clothing leaves red marks that show in photos. Choose something that does not need to be pulled off over the head—ideally a snap-front sleeper. The less baby has on, the easier it is to keep them asleep when undressing.

Family Photos

• Clothing: Choose solid colors and simple, timeless outfits. Avoid busy patterns, logos, or bulky clothing. Neutral tones (white, cream, black, gray, tan, muted reds, blues, greens) photograph beautifully.

• Mom: Wear form-fitting clothing in solid, darker tones if you are self-conscious. Avoid overly loose garments, which may appear bulky on camera. Keep nails clean and polish fresh if you are wearing it. They will show in some photos.  

• Sarah photographs from flattering angles and can do light body contouring during editing if needed.

• Makeup
  If you don’t typically wear much makeup, there’s no need to go overboard for your photos. A few simple touches can make a big difference on camera:

  • Foundation or powder

  • Lip gloss and mascara

  • Blush or bronzer to add a bit of color and highlight your cheekbones

  You’re also welcome to come completely natural. Ask Sarah about virtual makeup, where she can add a natural, polished look during editing.

  If you’d like professional hair and makeup, Sarah highly recommends KK with Whole Life Beauty, who specializes in natural, camera-ready looks.

• Dad: A solid, fitted shirt (t-shirt or button-down) with fitted pants or jeans works best. Please groom facial hair, hairlines, and trim visible hairs (including nose and neck). Keep nails clean and trimmed. They will show in some photos. 

• Siblings: Solid, fitted clothing works best, as your child may be photographed lying down for some images and loose clothing can bunch up. Comfort is key—if a favorite shirt makes your child happy, bring it along. A happy child always makes the best images.

Additional tips:

• Use a lint roller on all outfits (especially dark clothing) - edits could incur extra fees

• Iron or steam outfits to avoid wrinkles—editing them out may incur extra fees.

• Bring outfits on hangers and change at the studio.

• Ask Sarah for feedback on clothing options anytime!

Sibling Cooperation

Children are naturally unpredictable. Before the session, explain to them what to expect: they’ll be visiting Ms. Sarah’s studio for pictures with their new baby, and she will be leading with some rules to follow.

Sarah spends the first few minutes building rapport and setting expectations. Parents stepping back (or even briefly leaving the room) often leads to better cooperation. Trust the process—Sarah os experienced in guiding children through these sessions.

Studio Etiquette: Keep It Clean

Please remove shoes once in the studio. Many newborn props are placed on the floor, so keeping the studio space clean and sterile is very important. Slip-on shoes make this easier.

What to Expect During Your Newborn Session

Punctuality Policy

• Full Posing Experience / Wraps, Props & Family Experience: Arrivals more than 45 minutes late require rescheduling and a new retainer.

• Baby Only Mini Experience: Arrivals more than 25 minutes late require rescheduling and a new retainer.

Session Flow

• Full Posing Session (2.5–3+ hrs): Includes multiple poses, both wrapped and unwrapped. Expect some fussing during transitions. Babies are safe, comfortable, and supported at all times. Poses (such as the Froggy Pose) are composites done with baby fully supported—never forced.

• Wraps, Props & Family Session (1–2 hrs): Baby remains wrapped throughout; no naked posing.

• Baby Only Mini (approx. 1 hr): Baby remains wrapped throughout; no naked posing.

Parent Comfort & Safety

Parents are always welcome to relax in the studio during the session. You’ll be just a few feet away from your baby in the same room at all times. Light snacks and drinks are provided to help you stay comfortable while Sarah works gently and patiently with your baby.  Many parents enjoy reading, listening to music, or simply resting—knowing their baby is safe, secure, and well cared for.

After Your Session

Proofing Gallery: Emailed in about 7 business days. Rush options (1 or 3 days) available for an additional fee.P roofs are not downloadable.

• Final Images: Delivered in about 7 business days after you make selections. 

• Print Products: Order directly through your gallery for the highest quality and guaranteed color accuracy. Outside labs may produce different results.

Please Note: If your session ends after 3:00 p.m., or if you notify Sarah of your final image selections after 3:00 p.m., the business day will begin on the following business day.

Gallery Expiration Policy

Proofing and final galleries include an expiration date.

• Extensions: $50 for one additional year.

• Sarah maintains a copy for up to 3 years but cannot guarantee retrieval once gallery expires. 

Client Responsibility for Digital Images

Back up your files in multiple places and refresh every 6 months.

• Sarah Kane Photography is not responsible for lost, deleted, or damaged files after delivery.

Editing Policy

Final images include adjustments for exposure, color, skin smoothing, blemish removal, and light body contouring (upon request).
Edits that may incur a $50/hour fee include, but are not limited to wrinkled stained or lint filled clothing, removal of temporary children’s tattoos or bandaids,  makeup fixes, etc.) 

A Final Note from Sarah

It is my greatest honor to document this beautiful time in your family’s life!  Thank you for trusting me with your newborn session. I look forward to creating images and an experience that truly beyond beautiful with you. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out via text, call, or email with any questions or concerns.