Olivia Gaston Photography

Congratulations on the birth of your new baby! I’m so excited to meet you and your new arrival and I am thrilled that you have chosen me to capture these precious moments for you. Newborn photography is my passion and I’m truly honoured that I get to photograph these little miracles for my job every day.

I am a newborn certified photographer with 6+ years of experience in newborn photography as well as first aid and CPR training, so you know that your baby is in safe hands. I have undergone training with one of the best newborn photographers across the country to learn how to safely wrap and pose babies and I have photographed many newborns over the years.

Please continue to read my helpful guide on how to prep for your newborn session as this will help things go much more smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns at all, please get in touch. See you soon!

Preparing for your Studio Newborn Session

Please feed your baby 2-3 hours before the session, and plan on feeding them as soon as you arrive at the studio. I always advise parents to try their absolute best to keep their baby awake for 2 hours prior to the shoot and do anything they can to keep them awake. It’s going to be really hard, but trust me, it will be so worth it! It’s so important to follow this step as this will help me capture those adorable, sleepy newborn pictures.

Top Tips To Keep Baby Awake:

• Give them a bath
• Lots of talking/singing upbeat nursery rhymes
• Tickle their toes or cheek
• Play with toys/peekaboo

If possible, please bring a pacifier with you. Even if you don’t allow your baby to use one, they usually really help to keep them calm and sleepy during posing and wrapping. Newborn sessions typically last 1-3 hours, sometimes longer if baby is hungry or was asleep during those 2 hours before the session. Please bring a tablet or toys for siblings (if siblings are included in session) as sessions can last a long time and they may get bored. A family member is welcome to come and take them after their images, if preferred. We do parent/sibling shots at the very beginning which last around 30-45 minutes.

What to Wear - Parents/Siblings

This is completely optional, but I always encourage parents and siblings to take part in newborn shoots as these are fleeting moments that you will never get back. You’ll be so glad you had these photos taken when they are older...I promise!

Here are some general guidelines on outfits:

• Opt for soft, neutral colors such as cream, beige, grey, or pastel shades. These colors won't distract from the main focus of the photos, which is the baby.
• While you don't need to match exactly, it's a good idea for parents and siblings to coordinate their outfits.
• Since newborn sessions can take some time, it's important to wear comfortable clothing. Choose fabrics that are soft and breathable, especially if you'll be holding or snuggling with the baby during the shoot. The studio is going to be warm for baby so keep this in mind when planning your outfits too.
• Steer clear of clothing with busy patterns or large logos, as these can be distracting in photos.
• Stick to classic, timeless styles that won't look dated in the photos years down the road. Avoid overly trendy clothing that may not stand the test of time.
• Ultimately, the most important thing is for parents to feel comfortable and confident in their outfits so they can focus on enjoying the special moment with their newborn during the session.

What to Wear - Baby

I have outfits, bonnets, wraps and headbands in the studio. These are all beautiful, handpicked pieces that I’ve collected specifically for my newborn sessions, so you don’t have to worry about bringing any special clothing.

It doesn’t really matter what outfit your baby wears on their journey to the studio as I will be changing and wrapping them throughout the session. I would just suggest dressing them comfortably and also bringing a change of clothes and a burp cloth, just in case there are any accidents or spills during the feed when you first arrive.

The Experience - What to Expect

Once you arrive at the studio, the outfits, backdrops and wraps that I have chosen for your preferred color schemes will already be set up and ready to use, but you are more than welcome to take a look at my collection and choose something else that you might like. I’ll then ask you to feed your baby and undress them, ready to be wrapped/dressed in their outfits.

I’m sure you’ll be feeling exhausted, so this is your time to sit back, relax and let me do all of the work. I want you to feel as comfortable and at home as possible, so try to enjoy a little bit of freedom for the next couple of hours. I have a variety of drinks and snacks that I’ll get ready for you while you’re feeding your baby. The studio is going to be warm and very quiet whilst your baby is sleeping, so you might get a bit sleepy too. You are more than welcome to have a snooze on the comfy studio couch.

It is advised that your baby doesn’t wear a onesie during the session as this will affect the look of the photos. Please don’t worry if there are any accidents, it happens all the time! Everything is washed after each session and I have lots of wipes on hand.

I will be playing white noise sounds throughout the session, this sometimes helps settle babies and makes them feel sleepy. If you are bottle-feeding your baby, please ensure that you bring enough bottles/formula with you.

You will receive your unedited, watermarked gallery via email approximately one week after the session. From here, you can choose your favorite images. The images that you will receive are nowhere near the final result and I assure you that they will be beautifully edited to my signature style.

Once you have selected your images, I will begin editing your photos. Editing is a lengthy process, so I ask my clients to allow up to 3 weeks from the gallery selection day to receive their final images. Once the editing process is complete, you will also be sent a link via email to access them online. Your online gallery will be active for 8 weeks, giving you plenty of time to download the images and share them with your family and friends.

FAQ

I've never experienced a photoshoot before and I'm feeling nervous, could you give me some reassurance?

I understand that leading up to the day can be overwhelming, but I'm just a message away if you're feeling anxious or have any questions or concerns.

How long will it take for me to receive my final images?

Editing takes a long time, so I ask my clients to allow up to 4 weeks to receive their final images.

What if my baby is ill on the day of the shoot?

No worries at all, please let me know as soon as possible if you or your baby are ill and we can arrange another date that is suitable for you. Newborns are typically scheduled on weekday mornings/early afternoons.

What if my baby is fussy or won’t cooperate?

Don’t worry! I am experienced in soothing and working with babies and we will take breaks as needed. I have many techniques to calm babies for the best possible photos.

Can we request specific poses or themes for the photoshoot?

Absolutely! We will discuss your preferences and ideas before the session so that I can plan accordingly and ensure your vision is captured.