Chattanooga Newborn Photo Session FAQ’s

If you’ve been following along, you know that I’ve been posting some blogs as part of a series I’m calling “Planning Your Session”. I previously tackled topics such as what to wear to your photography session, how to prepare your kiddos for your session, and when to schedule your newborn session. For this post, I’m continuing the deep dive into preparing for your newborn session by addressing Chattanooga newborn photo session FAQ’s.

(This post contains affiliate links.)

As I write this, I’m in the thick of the newborn phase in my own house for the third time around. It’s such a precious, short season, but it’s an intense one as well. Sleep and brain power can be a little hard to come by. My hope is that addressing some of these FAQ’s will take some of the stress away and help you more smoothly prep for your in-home session.

The two most frequently asked questions are: What do I need to do to my house and what do I need to have on hand? Here are my 7 tips:

1. Your house does not need to be spotless.

I have three little mess-makers at my house and fully recognize that you have to pick your battles and make decisions about where to allocate your minimal free time and energy during those early weeks. You’ll find no judgement here. If something is in the way of my shot, I will let you know!

2. Open your blinds and curtains.

My first choice is always to use natural light (although I always come prepared with artificial light in case it’s needed). So go ahead and open up the curtains and blinds in the rooms you want to use. This helps us get started more quickly. It will also keep me from accidentally pulling down your blinds (sorry, Maggie!).

3. Bump up the temperature.

Because we want your newborn to be as cozy as possible during wardrobe changes and when dressed in only a swaddle, you may want to consider setting the temperature in your house a little warmer than typical. I may break a sweat, but that certainly won’t bother me if it helps that sweet babe of yours stay content while we capture priceless photographs. 

4. Pull out some extra blankets/swaddles.

 I use blanket rolls to assist with positioning newborns on their sides and tummies.  I just need one or two extras. Also, if you have baby blankets or quilts that are special to you (or my favorite- a simple white blanket), I love to use those as backdrops for individual, close up portraits of your sweet babe. Check out TLB Embroidery for sweet, personalized swaddles and blankets in the Chattanooga, TN area!

5. Have a Bobby or nursing pillow handy.

These are certainly not a requirement. However if you have one, these can also be used to achieve different posing. (https://amzn.to/37Q8XZw)

6. Turn on a sound machine.

If you find that white noise is helpful for calming your infant, feel free to turn on a sound machine on. I’ll try not to fall asleep myself. My favorite battery operated sound machine is linked here: (https://amzn.to/3M0BlXs)

7. Round up any special items you wish to use.

If you’ve reviewed my work, you know that I take a ‘lifestyle’ approach; meaning I don’t typically bring props, bean bags or backdrops for positioning or decorating.  I use the furniture and elements of your home, showcasing your family in their natural environment. If you have special, sentimental items that you want incorporated, I’m happy to work with those!

There you have it! I hope these tips will answer your Chattanooga newborn photo session FAQ’s. If you have additional questions you would like addressed, feel free to leave them down in the comment section.

More details about sessions with me can be found here. To schedule a newborn session with me, find my contact form here.