Welcoming a new life into the world is one of the most precious moments a family can experience. Booking a Charlotte newborn photoshoot is the perfect way to capture this moment. At NicSo Studio, located in Charlotte, NC, we are experts in capturing the beauty of newborn photography. Our specialized skills allow us to create timeless art that showcases all of your sweet baby’s details, making your newborn’s early days unforgettable.
What happens during a Charlotte newborn photoshoot? From safety protocols to session prep, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a NicSo Studio experience so special.
Preparation for Your Charlotte Newborn Photoshoot
The process begins before you even step into the studio. At NicSo Studio, we work with you to customize the session to match your vision and style preferences. We pay attention to every detail, from colors to props, and poses you love. Ensuring the final results fit seamlessly with your home décor for wall art and look beautiful in your custom album. Many of our clients do one album between their maternity session and newborn session. We make sure all of the looks from maternity flow nicely into their newborn session as well.
We recommend scheduling the session within the first two weeks of life. Ensurng your newborn is comfortable and as tiny as possible to capture those first moments. Babies are sleepiest and most flexible between one to two weeks. Scheduling at this time allows us to gently pose them in those sweet curled-up positions, just like they were in mama’s womb. We can do newborn sessions past the 2-week mark; however, we cannot guarantee all poses past that point.
Before your session, we’ll also send a prep guide covering tips to ensure your session is as smooth as possible. We recommend feeding your baby right before arriving and keeping them awake for a bit beforehand. One of our top tips is to give the baby a bath the morning of the session. Having a bath day keeps the baby awake for a bit and makes sure they are clean for the photos! Following the prep guide helps create the perfect conditions for a smooth and successful shoot.
Safety First: How We Protect Your Baby
Your baby’s safety is our top priority. At NicSo Studio, every pose, prop, and setup is designed with your newborn’s well-being in mind. Here are a few key steps we take to ensure a safe newborn session:
- Trained in Newborn Safety: We’ve undergone specialized training to handle newborns safely during photoshoots. In addition to CPR training, we know how to properly hold, wrap, and pose babies in the cute poses you know and love.
- Spotters and Support: Many poses in the final images are created using composite techniques. This means that while a parent or assistant may support the baby by holding it during the photo shoot. Their hands are removed in post-production to achieve a flawless look. This method ensures that the babies are kept safe at all times. We take every precaution to ensure your baby’s safety during the session, including using composite techniques to create stunning, safe images.
- Sanitized Props, Studio, and Photographer: All wraps, blankets, and props are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after each session. During newborn sessions, we always wear masks and sanitize our hands to ensure the baby is protected from germs. We come in contact with many children, and we know they don’t know how to keep the germs away! We are also up to date on all vaccines, including our TDAP.
- Comfortable Charlotte Newborn Studio Environment: Our studio is kept warm, between 70 and 80 degrees, to mimic the womb environment, helping your baby relax during the session. This warm environment can help keep your baby calm and comfortable, making the session more enjoyable for everyone. We recommend arriving at the studio for your Charlotte newborn photoshoot in comfy clothes and not wearing the clothes parents will be photographed in. This is to prevent any wrinkling or sweating. Mom will be getting her hair and makeup done at the beginning of the session. Having her wear something else prevents any makeup from getting on the clothes she will be photographed in. We will also have fresh pastries and drinks for you to enjoy while we photograph your sweet baby.
When you see the final images, you may not realize how much behind-the-scenes work goes into ensuring your little one is supported and secure.
The Newborn Session: A Stress-Free Experience
On the day of the session, we encourage parents to sit back, relax, and watch the magic unfold. NicSo Studio has created a seating area and studio environment that allows parents and babies to feel like they are at a peaceful retreat. While the parents relax, we focus on capturing the sweetest details of their baby. Many of our parents fall asleep during the session, allowing for a nice break from the baby, all while fantastic art is created!
Here’s what typically happens during a charlotte newborn session:
- Settling and Feeding the Baby: One of the reasons newborn sessions take so long is that we prioritize the baby’s comfort and needs. We understand that babies can be unpredictable. I am committed to ensuring your baby is comfortable and happy throughout the newborn session. That means we will take as many breaks as necessary to feed, soothe, and change the baby. I always say your baby is my boss! To ensure the baby is all settled and ready for posing, we wrap the baby to make them feel snug and secure. This helps the baby drift into a deep sleep and gets us ready to start photographing.
- Posing and Prop Work: Depending on how sleepy your baby is at the time of your arrival, we may start with props or table posing. These are two of the three looks you will receive during the newborn session. We gently pose your baby using props like baskets, bowls, and plain-colored backdrops. Each setup aligns with the color scheme and themes we previously discussed. All while showcasing their tiny features; we capture it all, from full baby shots to delicate fingers to adorable toes.
- Parent and Sibling Shots: We encourage the whole family to participate in your Charlotte newborn photoshoot. One thing that sets us apart at NicSo Studio is that we don’t charge extra to include parents and/or siblings in your session. We provide professional hair and makeup for moms to ensure they look and feel their best at no extra cost! We’ll include parents and siblings in the session for heartwarming family portraits if desired. This makes everyone feel included and provides beautiful art showcasing your growing family. If you don’t love the images, including parents, you don’t have to buy them! However, one of the things I hear most from my clients is they regret not getting in the photos.
- Creative Setups: Our studio has everything you need for an amazing newborn session. This baby photoshoot is about more than just taking photos of your baby. Our beautiful backdrops, props, and accessories elevate every shot into a piece of art. Your baby photo session is more than just photos of your family; it is art to cherish forever.
Expect the baby session to last 3-4 hours, allowing plenty of time for feeding, changing, and soothing your baby as needed. Please sit back and relax as our full-service newborn photography studio takes care of everything.
Behind the Scenes at NicSo Studio
As you’ll see in our exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photos, every shot requires thought and care. From adjusting the lighting to styling props, every detail is meticulously handled to create stunning images. You will also see some of our safety procedures, such as making sure my camera strap is around my neck when posing and photographing the babies. I hold my camera with two hands or between my knees when fixing the baby to ensure it does not hit them. I use padding and wraps to ensure baby is always protected and their airways are clear, resulting in beautiful images.
In the video at the beginning of this blog, you’ll see me gently posing the twin baby girls and their family, using wraps and supports to keep them safe and cozy. You’ll also catch a glimpse of the studio setup, including how I ensure everything is within arm’s reach and all props are spread throughout the studio for seamless transitions between props and poses. Everything being planned out ahead of your session, and my years of experience as a newborn photographer create a smooth session for everyone involved.
These behind-the-scenes moments showcase the love and dedication that goes into each newborn session.
Why Choose NicSo Studio for Your Charlotte Newborn Photoshoot
As the leading newborn photographer in Charlotte, NC, NicSo Studio is passionate about creating heirloom-quality portraits and unforgettable experiences for families. From safety-first practices to a fully customized experience, we take pride in offering a service that goes above and beyond.
Here is a review from a recent maternity and newborn client.” I don’t even know where to begin…Sofia is absolutely amazing! When I first saw her website, I could tell she was a step above everyone else I had looked at. Then, once I spoke with her, I knew I had the right person! Her passion for photography shines through in everything she does. You can tell it’s more than a job for her… it’s her calling.
I originally booked Sofia for my maternity shoot and she made me feel so confident and comfortable throughout the entire process. Communication was clear from the beginning about what I could expect, what I needed to do to prepare, and how the day would go. She knew exactly how to pose and direct me so that we got the best pictures…and did we ever!!! My husband and I were blown away at the finished product.
We knew right away she had to do our newborn photos. If you’re a new parent, you know how scary it can be to have someone else taking care of your baby. Especially putting them in positions to capture photos…again, Sofia knew exactly what to do to capture the best moments. She was amazing with our daughter the entire time from comforting her to keep her calm, swaddling for photos, transferring between pictures, helping us pose…literally everything. It came so natural to her. Again, I felt so secure during the entire shoot and the pictures are pure perfection!
I could go on and on, but the bottom line is if you’re looking for a maternity or newborn photographer, you don’t need to look any further. Sofia is a master of her craft and you will NOT be disappointed!!!”
If you’re ready to document your newborn’s first days with stunning photography and custom art, I’d love to chat with you! Visit NicSo Studio to learn more about what we offer with our Charlotte newborn photoshoot, and let’s book your dream newborn session today. Ready to create memories you won’t forget?
