TIPS:

NEWBORNS: Please don't be worried about the umbilical cord stump. Even if you hate the look of it (many people love it because it shows how new the baby is), we can creatively pose the baby to avoid photographing it. Peeling skin on newborns is like the sprinkles on birthday cake! It's such a tender little reminder of how new these babies are, and it should be left alone. If it's near the eyes where it is distracting, it will be removed in Photoshop. But please don't attempt to remove it with your fingers or apply excessive amounts of lotion; embrace it! 

Cradle cap is clearly visible in the images I produce, so here's how to get rid of it in one week: Give baby a bath as usual, but apply olive oil to the affected area at the beginning of the bath. Let soak for ten minutes, and then scrub lightly with a baby hairbrush. You may have to repeat this two to three times for more severe cases (do not repeat more often than every other day), but it should resolve within one week or so. 

Clogged tear ducts can be easy to fix if you're nursing; breastmilk is full of antibodies, so just squirt it into baby's eye two to three times daily. Seriously. It works.

HELPERS (A.K.A. DISTRACTIONS):  I understand you may feel the need to bring Grandma or another helper on the day of the session. They can be extremely helpful in the preparation for and travel to the session, and it's very valuable to have photos of your children with their grandparents, which we can absolutely do during your session. I do find, though, that babies and children take much better photos if there are fewer people in the actual studio. You don't want someone competing with my camera for the child's attention (even YOU, mom or dad!). For this reason, helpers may be asked to hang back during the session.

NO-BRAINER TIPS WE MOMS SOMETIMES FORGET:  Wash and brush your child's hair. Really. You might be surprised how easy this one is to forget if it's not a daily occurrence for whatever reason. Feed your kid before the session. I know this can be really challenging with busy schedules. But children don't take good photos while chewing food, and while taking a snack break is definitely doable and sometimes absolutely necessary, it does take some time away from taking photos, which is why you're here! Not to mention the fact that it can leave remnants in the teeth (really hard to retouch). If you bring a security blanket, because you think your child might need it at some point, please know that, from the moment you bring it out, it will be a part of the photo shoot. That's fine! It's part of your life. On the other hand, there's a really good chance that your child won't need it at all, no matter how big a part of his or her life it is on a regular basis. Moms: wear makeup. Even if you hardly ever wear makeup, at least some powder, blush, mascara, and lip color (lighter lips and subtle eyeshadow usually read best on-camera) will make you feel more beautiful and confident, and you'll be pleased when you see the photos.

A NOTE ABOUT DISCIPLINE:  I am a silly person. I want kids' true personalities to come out at my studio. I don't want these little effervescent people to be on their “best behavior.” When you're here, there's no need to fuss over manners or anything like that. We want to have fun and laugh, so let your kid be wild, gross, silly, or whatever. In fact, I'm a mom of two boys, so fart jokes (and the like) are where I'm comfortable.  If fart jokes are not off-limits, let me know during the session!  This is definitely one place where you can let your kid be a kid! Tell your kids that I'll be the one giving them direction. Then, once you walk in the door, let me take over. That way, you don't have to stress yourselves out trying to keep them “in line.”