You know that new baby smell? The one that makes everyone within a 10-foot radius want to whisper? Well, our Portland studio is practically infused with it, along with a healthy dose of coffee (for the parents, obviously), and pure baby-snuggling magic.
Welcome to Your Baby's First Modeling Gig
Let me paint you a picture of what really happens during a newborn session at LaLa Photography. Picture this: It's 10 AM, and tiny baby Emma has just arrived for her modeling debut. Mom's been up since... well, has she even slept? Dad's carrying roughly three bags of "just in case" items, and Emma? She's living her best life, completely unbothered by all the fuss.
"But she hardly ever sleeps!" Emma's mom whispers anxiously as they walk in. (Spoiler alert: Emma ended up sleeping like a champion once we worked our baby-whispering magic.)
The Real Behind-the-Scenes Scoop
Here's what actually happens during a newborn session, and why it's basically my favorite thing ever:
First up, we crank the heat. Like, "welcome to a cozy day in Hawaii" kind of warm. Parents start peeling off layers while I happily bounce around in my photographer-issued shorts and t-shirt. Trust me, warm babies are happy babies, and happy babies make for magical photos.
Then comes what I like to call the "comfort zone" setup. Mom gets comfy in one of our comfy couches (with snacks within reach – we're not amateurs here), Dad finds his spot on a comfy couch, and baby? Well, baby does what babies do best – either milk drunk snoozes or wide-eyed wonder at this strange new place.
The Great Milk Coma Chronicles
Can we talk about milk comas for a minute? Because they're basically a photographer's best friend. Little Noah from last week's session gave us the most epic milk drunk smile I've ever captured. His mom swears he was dreaming about milk, but I think he was secretly practicing for his future career as a baby model.
And yes, we plan our sessions around feeding times. Because a happy belly equals a happy baby, and I'm pretty sure that's like, the first rule of newborn photography (or life in general).
When Nature Calls (And Oh, It Will)
Let's be real for a second – during any given newborn session, we'll probably deal with at least three diaper changes, two outfit switches (thanks to surprise spit-up), and what I lovingly call the "fountain of youth" moment. You know the one – right when you take the diaper off, and baby decides now's the perfect time to show off their impressive distance skills? Yeah, that one.
But here's the thing – these moments? They're all part of the magic. Because one day, you'll look back at these photos and remember not just how tiny those toes were, but how your heart felt so full it could burst.
The LaLa Photography Baby Guarantee
While I can't guarantee your baby will sleep the whole time (they're tiny bosses, after all), I can guarantee:
A cozy, safe environment that feels like a warm hug
All the time needed for feeding, changing, and comforting
Patient understanding when baby has other plans than what we had in mind
And photos that will make your heart melt every single time you look at them
What Parents Say They'll Bring vs. What They Actually Need
Parents often arrive with enough supplies for a two-week vacation (been there!), but really, all you need is:
You, your baby, and basic feeding supplies. We've got everything else covered, including:
Clean blankets (and backup blankets for the backup blankets)
A variety of sweet little outfits and wraps
Wipes and changing supplies
And yes, tissues for when you get emotional looking at your baby all wrapped up like a tiny burrito
The Magic Moments
Remember baby Sophie who refused to sleep until we discovered she loved Taylor Swift? (Yes, we now have a carefully curated playlist of baby-approved hits.) Or twins Jack and Jill who would only settle when placed cheek to cheek? These are the moments that make each session unique and utterly magical.
Your Baby, Your Session
Every baby who comes through our studio doors becomes part of the LaLa Photography family. We don't do rushed sessions or one-size-fits-all poses. Instead, we follow your baby's lead, sprinkle in some baby-whispering magic, and create images that capture this fleeting, precious time.
Ready to capture your little one's first professional photos? Let's chat about creating some magic together! Click here to book your Portland newborn session, or call us at 971-801-0033. And yes, we promise to send you home with all the digital tips and tricks we used to get those baby smiles!
P.S. Ask us about our "Baby's First Year" package – because the only thing better than one photoshoot is four of them! We love watching our tiny clients grow (just pass us the tissues).
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