Newborn Session Flow | Keeping Baby Content during Your Portraits

Specializing in the art of of newborn photography for Houston babies, Sarah Borchgrevink offers beautiful collections that practice newborn safety.

The Importance of Studio session flow

The session flow is one of the most important parts of your newborn session. Session flow is how we move from set up to set up. During our time together, we will be accomplishing a lot! Even my mini session, with is the entry level newborn collection, is full of variety. By using a flow that is successful, I am able to move effortlessly through the set ups, keep baby safe, calm and happy. I also am able to provide you with gorgeous images of your precious baby! 

Newborn sessions typically begin at 11 AM and last around 1-2 hours, depending on your session type. My wrapped minis are usually done in less than an hour while a full session is closer to two. 

Sometimes moms tell me they're nervous before the session. They worry baby may be fussy or will not sleep. Don't worry: you're given a prep guide full of great information. I am also formally trained in the custom art of posed newborn photography. I have taken workshops on safety, handling, wrapping, posing, lighting and also post processing of your images. I am extremely comfortable working with new babies and pride myself on patience, safety, and ensuring everyone has a great experience! I am excited to work with you!

White Noise Machine

Once you enter my studio and become seated, I turn on a white noise machine. The white noise mimics the noise baby hears when inside the womb. The perks of the white noise are that it settles baby, it reminds her of a calm place, and also helps her stay asleep as we move through set ups. We want her to be in a deep sleep so she does not startle or jolt suddenly. Newborn safety is of the utmost importance during your session. White noise is the backbone to keeping her content.

Full, Sleepy Baby

Upon arriving to my studio, you'll be seated and we'll begin feeding baby in whichever manner you're most comfortable doing. Some moms formula feed, some pump, and some nurse. If you're comfortable pumping, this is usually the 'easist' way to get the session started, but there's no pressure. I have three little girls myself, and am pregnant with a boy (ha!) so I am well versed in doing what's best for your family. You've also been given a newborn prep guide, so before coming to my studio you know what's going to happen. Once baby is fed, burped, and her diaper is changed so she's clean, we start the session.

A Warm Environment

My studio is kept at around 80 degrees. When you first arrive, I have the air on 77 degrees since family photos take first. This temperature is what keeps baby happy and calm. When she's growing in the womb, she's used to your body temperature, which is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The more your studio emulated a womb-like environment, the better baby does. She will be molded into super curly, squishy poses. After family photos take place, however, feel free to put on a pair of yoga pants and put your hair up into a messy bun - I know it's warm but the photos are well worth it! Also: bring a snack, book, or just hang out. You're welcome to ask any questions and of course, I am excited to chat with you!

Cozy, Secure Wrapping

As soon as you feed and burp baby (I can also help you with this, too!) I'll begin wrapping baby for family photos. I always implement three unique styles of adorable newborn session wrapping. The wrapping immediately gets baby into a deep sleep and makes her easier for you to hold. She also looks like a perfect package!

Baby is now the star

After family photos take place, baby is the focus. I will move through many poses and set ups, so be prepared to see how stunning your little one is! For instance, we go from family into a bean bag set up seen here:

Potato pose & flokati rug

Your potato sack pose and flokati rug set up are next. Baby is super snugly and love this part! Don't forget: all styling is provided by me so you just hang back and watch. No pressure.

Let's Move iT TO THE FLOOR

Squishy, Mold-able and Precious posing

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.

 

Muted Mauve For a Perfectly Petite Princess | Meet Rory

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in custom posed studio sessions for your precious cherub baby.

Welcome To The World Sweet Rory

Hi, there! Welcome to my blog! I'm so excited you've found your way here. Chances are you may be interested in seeing a super sweet baby girl session. You're in luck - I have all the newborn cuteness you need! 

Rory Grace and her family visited my Houston Newborn Portrait Studio when she was 9 days fresh and new. Posed newborn sessions do take place when baby is 14 days or newer; I do, however, make exceptions and will sometimes take them up to 18 days if needed. Rory weighed just over 6 pounds at birth. She has a head full of soft blond hair, a fair complexion, and full cherub lips. What a little beauty! She visited for a full newborn collection so this post will show the highlights from my time with her.

Her parents visited from lovely Spring, TX - just north of Houston. My studio is convienetly located so thanks to the 99 toll road, clients from The Woodlands, Spring, Magnolia, Conroe, Montgomery or any suburb in the Northern Houston areas are able to quickly travel to me, typically in about half an hour.

White, Sage Green, Plum Purple and Muted Mauve Color Scheme

When booking a posed newborn session with Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, your sessions are custom designed. Often, parents are unsure what that means. It's simple,  promise! Everything is provided for your session. Each bow, tie back, fabric, wrap, head band, bonnet, hat, crate, bowl, box, etc - you have full access to all props. I style each and every session around a few colors you may like, but also pull inspiration from the colors that I most enjoy using. I am consistently adding new items to my prop stash and coming up with new combinations. That's where the custom aspect comes into play: new combinations, new set ups, and creative and unique wrapping allows me to showcase the beauty of your newborn baby.

Here's what Rory Grace's parents relayed about their experience at Sarah's studio:

We found Sarah by searching through Instagram. Immediately I feel in love & knew it would be an investment well spent. As soon as we showed up she made us feel at home & her set up was so personal & professional. She was so welcoming & got to know us which meant a lot. I have never seen anyone handle a baby like she did. We kept giggling b/c we were in awe over her & our baby! If only we could put Sarah in our pocket and carry her around with us at all times it would help the first time parents out quite a bit lol! Our prints turned out amazing, she got them to us sooner than expected & overall the experience was phenomenal. HIGHLY recommend.

This set up is especially sweet because it's a soft mint and safe green. This is one of my favorite colors for newborn girls - it's timeless, classic and also adds a pop of color to your walls. This wooden crate is one of my favorites, too, because it's rustic and adds character to your portraits. The vintage quilt is a great find I found at an antique store; it needed a bit of cleaning up, but afterwards it's been a beautiful addition to my studio. I also like using this quilt in my outdoor, natural light family sessions, so you may have seen this exact quilt on my blog before, ha! 

After all three floor props, we move to bean bag posing. These poses are super sweet, curly, and show off the womb like nature of a new baby who is fresh and recently earth side. These types of poses are included in my petite and full newborn collections; the wrapped mini, however, is for parents seeking a smaller number of more modest images, so keep that in mind when booking. The full newborn collection comes with 5 poses, however. You may also be interested in reading more about my favorite posing and how I utilize newborn safety during our time together. 

For the naked posing, I used a muted mauve. Mom specifically requested pink; while pink is not always my favorite color since it's used by virtually everyone, it can be styled in more unique aspects such as the hue you use, the type of wrap you use to add a layering piece, the tie back or bonnet, and of course the texture of the drop. I like this drop, shown below, because it's not 100 percent smooth; there are little checkers which are so cute; they add the most adorable nurance to the photos!

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I hope you have a great Thursday and upcoming weekend! Wishing you all my joy and warmth today.

-Sarah

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.