There is no doubt that being a new parent can be overwhelming, especially those first few weeks. I totally understand and being a parent myself I can relate. It will all be worth it. There is no other time that your precious baby will look quite like he/she does now. The peaceful, curled up babies seen throughout my website all have one thing in common...their parents all did the same thing before their sessions.

A peaceful state of sleepy bliss is the ultimate goal of our newborn session. To ensure this, I'm asking a little bit of prep from you! A sleeping baby is critical to the success of your newborn session so please follow all of my instructions. I've photographed many babies and have come up with the perfect sleep equation. The better prepped your newborn is, the more variety you will have in the images you receive.


The Night Before - PACK THE CAR (this will save time in the morning!)

• Diapers
• Pacifier [even if your baby doesn't take one, it's only used if needed and for a very short time to help with soothing]
• If bottle feeding bring 1-2 extra feedings than you expect to need
• Extra parent outfit; if you are planning on a family portrait you'll need to bring a change of clothes in case your outfit gets soiled. 
• Book, Magazine, iPad
• Toys for older siblings

Awake Time: It's very important to keep your baby awake 2-3 hours before your session. I understand that it can be difficult to keep your newborn awake, but I strongly advise that you try your best. The goal is to have your baby sleep throughout most of their session, so keeping them up beforehand will help attain that goal.

Bathe Your Baby: The purpose of the bath is not just to clean your baby and ensure their hair is fabulously soft & fuzzy...the real reason for the bath is to keep baby awake and tire them out. If your baby's umbilical cord is off, please give a full bath. Otherwise use a wash cloth and give a sponge bath as instructed by your doctor. The key is to linger during the bath, draw it out longer than you normally would. You want your baby AWAKE so dilly dally and take your time

Feed Your Baby: Give your baby a FULL feeding right before getting in the car. This is not a 'snack' feeding...tickled feet, change the diaper, do anything you can to keep baby awake and ensure a full feeding. A full tummy equals a sleepy, content baby.

Undress Your Baby: After the feeding, I prefer for your baby to only be dressed in a diaper. Secure the diaper loosely so it is easily removed. Line the car seat with a burp cloth or diaper pad to protect against leaks. Depending on the time of year or if you feel uncomfortable with leaving baby undressed, you should dress baby in a wrap-style tee (one from the hospital). Please do not dress baby in anything that is tightly fitted, pulls over the head, or use tight socks or mitts with elastic. You can tuck the baby in the seat with extra blankets for added warmth.

Load Up: You are all set so hop in the car and head to the studio! The ride should put your little one into a deep sleep. Cover baby when you get out of the car so that the sun & wind doesn't startle them awake. If upon arrival your baby is hungry or stirring awake, I will have you feed baby again to help soothe them back to sleep.


As soon as you arrive, I’ll show you around the studio and explain how the session will go. I will take your baby out of the car seat and slowly undress them and gently rock them back to sleep if they've stirred from being moved. I immediately begin posing if they are asleep. Once you arrive, I assume the care of your baby until they need mom for a feeding. I do all of the soothing and have mom and dad relax on the couch. Be sure to bring something to pass the time; magazine, book, iPad…or feel free to catch a quick nap.

Please remember that props are an addition to the session and not the main focus. My studio is bursting at the seams with a variety of props, so there is no need to bring anything. If you have an heirloom you'd like to incorporate or something specific in mind as far as a setup, please discuss this with me before the session. I will be happy to give my input on whether or not it’s safe or will work for your portrait session.

Let me know of any medical conditions or birthing complications before the session. During birth, things happen that I will need to know about (ie. dislocated shoulder, broken clavicle) in order to pose baby safely. If your baby is sick or has recently required oxygen, I will need to know that as well. We may opt to reschedule the session at a later date outside of the two week window. Health issues always trump my age requirement. Remember that I am here to provide you with beautiful, quality images of your newborn, and as a nurse safety is my top priority. I want you to feel confident in your decision to hire me as Kentuckiana’s trusted newborn photographer.

My studio has separate sitting area that is cool and large enough for older siblings to play, so feel free to bring them some toys to keep them entertained. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to meeting you and creating memories!



Stephanie Smith
Stephanie Viricki Photography

142 I Buffalo Run Rd
Shepherdsville, KY 40165