What Happens If My Baby Won't Sleep During Newborn Photos?
Let's talk about one of the biggest concerns new parents have before their newborn photography session:
"What if my baby won't sleep?"
First, take a deep breath.
Your baby does not have to sleep the entire session.
Actually, your baby doesn't even have to sleep for most of the session.
After photographing newborns for many years, I've learned that some of the most beautiful images happen when babies are awake, stretching, looking around, making little faces, or simply snuggling with their parents.
There is no need to panic if your baby arrives at my studio wide awake.
Newborns don't follow a schedule
Wouldn't it be convenient if we could simply tell your baby, "Okay, it's time for photos. Please sleep for the next two hours"?
Unfortunately, newborns haven't mastered that skill yet.
Some babies arrive sleepy.
Some arrive hungry.
Some are wide awake and taking in absolutely everything around them.
Some sleep beautifully for twenty minutes and then decide they're done.
All of that is completely normal.
A newborn photography session needs to have room for those moments.
We can take our time
One of the biggest benefits of a professional newborn session is that we aren't rushing from one pose to the next.
If your baby needs to eat, we stop.
If your baby needs to be changed, we stop.
If your baby needs to be held, we stop.
If your baby wakes up and wants to look around for a while, that's okay too.
Your baby is in charge of the pace.
My job is to work with your baby rather than trying to force your baby into a schedule.
Awake newborn photos can be beautiful
Some of my favorite newborn images are the ones where babies are wide awake.
Those tiny eyes.
That serious little expression.
The way they look directly at Mom or Dad.
The tiny stretch with their arms above their head.
Those moments show a little bit of your baby's personality right from the beginning.
And unlike a sleepy posed image, an awake portrait can give you a beautiful reminder of what your baby looked like when they were just beginning to take in the world.
What if my baby cries?
Babies cry.
It's their way of communicating.
A newborn session isn't going to be ruined because your baby cries.
We simply figure out what your baby needs.
Sometimes that's food. Sometimes it's a clean diaper. Sometimes it's being held. Sometimes they just need a few minutes.
And sometimes, after all of that, they're perfectly happy again.
There's no expectation that your baby needs to be perfectly content every minute of the session.
What if my baby needs to be fed?
Feed your baby!
Seriously.
A hungry baby is not going to make beautiful photos just because we're trying to stick to a timeline.
Your baby can be fed whenever they need to be.
Those quiet moments of feeding and cuddling are also part of your newborn experience, and sometimes we can even capture a few of those moments for you.
You don't have to make your baby "perfect" for photos
Newborns have flaky skin.
They make funny faces.
They scrunch up their noses.
They stretch.
They yawn.
They sneeze.
They cry.
They have tiny fingers that don't always cooperate.
That's what makes them newborns.
I'm not looking for a perfectly posed little mannequin. I'm looking for the tiny details and connections that make this particular stage of your baby's life so special. And also, I edit out that flaky skin. ;)
And sometimes the best photos aren't of the baby alone
Even if your baby doesn't sleep, we can photograph your family.
Mom holding baby.
Dad holding baby.
Baby snuggled against both parents.
Sibling cuddles.
Tiny details.
Little hands.
Those images don't require your baby to sleep.
In fact, some of the most meaningful photographs from your session may simply be the ones where you're holding your baby exactly as you naturally would.
So what should you do before your session?
Don't spend the night before worrying about how to make your baby sleep.
Instead, come rested as much as possible, bring what your baby needs, and trust the process.
I'll take care of the photography.
You take care of your baby.
That's the way it should be.
Your newborn session doesn't need to be perfect.
It just needs to capture your baby, your family, and this incredibly short season of your life.
I hope this reassures you so you don’t stress over your sweet baby’s photo session! Your baby will be perfectly photographed awake or asleep. Feel free to contact me here to chat about your baby’s pictures.
Talk soon,
Chelsie