Newborn Photography in Westfield, IN
Welcome to my newborn photography website. I’m glad you’re here! I’ve been photographing newborns in Westfield for more than 20 years, and I would love to photograph your newborn baby! I’ve been named one of the best newborn photographers in Westfield by the national website “Expertise.” In addition, my newborn photography has been featured in the Indianapolis Star, Fox 59 News, and I’ve been a guest on WIBC to chat about preparing your family for a family photography session. I would love to help you plan your newborn photoshoot!
Frequently Asked Questions about Your Newborn Photography Session in Westfield
Do you have a studio where you take newborn portraits?
Yes! I have a portrait studio in Downtown Noblesville. That’s where all my newborn photoshoots are done.
Will you travel to my home in Westfield for my newborn photoshoot?
At this time, I do not offer in-home newborn portrait sessions. All my newborn photography clients have their pictures taken at my portrait studio.
At what point during my pregnancy should I schedule my newborn photography session?
You should scheduled your newborn photoshoot as soon as you learn you are expecting to ensure you get a spot for your baby on the studio schedule. We will put a tentative date on the schedule that will be based on your due date. Then you’ll contact me as soon as the baby arrives and we will adjust the date of your baby’s photoshoot if he or she arrived a little early or a little late.
I already had my baby. Can I still book a newborn photoshoot with you?
Please don’t hesitate to call me if your baby has already arrived. I do my best to make room for late schedulers, and because the dates and times of my tentatively scheduled newborn photo sessions are always being shifted, it’s quite possible that I can work your newborn into the portrait studio schedule.
What’s the best age to photograph my newborn baby?
I like to photograph newborn babies within three weeks of their birth. However, babies are beautiful no matter the age or stage, so if you missed those first three weeks, call the studio anyway and we’ll get your baby photoshoot scheduled for the very first possible date.
How long will I be in the studio for the newborn photography session?
Most full newborn photoshoots take about 90 minutes. Occasionally one will go a bit more quickly and smoothly. And occasionally a baby will need more soothing, feeding, changing, etc. which can run your baby’s photoshoot longer. I reserve a 3-hour window for each full newborn session, but it rarely takes more than 90 minutes.
My mini newborn photoshoots take about 30 minutes.
Do I need to provide clothing for my baby to wear during his newborn photoshoot?
No. I have an entire wardrobe of newborn photography wraps, tiny outfits, hats, and headbands for your baby’s newborn photoshoot. Most newborn baby outfits do not fit well and look good for portrait sessions so I strongly recommend you leave any purchased outfits at home and let me dress your baby from my wardrobe specifically designed for newborn photographs.
Can I include family member in the newborn baby photoshoot?
Immediate family members can be included in the full session at no additional cost. Our mini newborn session is wrapped baby only and does not include parents or siblings.
How do I prepare my baby for his newborn portrait session?
A sleepy newborn with a full belly is the most cooperative for photographs. Please keep your baby awake for at least an hour before his or her portrait session. A bath is a great way to keep them awake and wear them out. Then right before you leave to come to the studio, feed your baby. Dress your baby in a zip-up sleeper with no onesie beneath it.
There are some things you can do to increase the chances of having a successful newborn portrait session. They are…
- Keep baby awake at least an hour before the session. A bath does the trick usually.
- Feed baby right before you leave to come to the studio.
- Bring a bottle that has a bit of breastmilk or formula in it and a pacifier.
- Dress baby in a sleeper that zips up the front. Nothing underneath but a diaper.
- If we are attempting naked pictures, please let baby lay undressed with diaper only for bits of time throughout the days leading up to the session. This will get her accustomed to being without clothing and will increase the likelihood that she will cooperate for naked pictures.
What should my family wear for their portraits during our newborn photography session?
Mom and dad should wear similar colors and stay away from very dark or very light colored clothing. No white or black. But grays, light blues, and earth tones photograph nicely. Please wear solid-colored clothing. Avoid stripes, patterns, clothing with large logos or text. We want the focus to be on the people, not the clothes, so the simpler the better. For siblings please choose simple clothing. Something that looks nice when they’re sitting on the floor criss-cross-applesauce. Again, try to stick with simple, solid colors. Avoid patterns, stripes, and words on clothing for this session.
I see sleepy babies on your website. What if my baby won’t sleep for her photoshoot?
No worries! Awake babies can be photographed too. As long as your baby is not crying, I can get great photographs of him. Awake babies are more difficult to pose so if your baby isn’t soundly asleep, there may be some poses that we cannot get. My style is baby-lead. I won’t try to force your newborn into a pose that he or she is clearly not comfortable doing. However, a sleepy baby is very poseable, so do everything you can to make sure your baby is sleepy and full when you get to the portrait studio.
Will I have time to feed my baby during her newborn portrait session?
You should definitely be prepared to feed the baby during the newborn photo session. But in most cases, if you have prepped your newborn properly following my new parent prep tips, your baby should make it through the newborn photoshoot without stopping to eat. However, please come prepared with bottle or if you’re breastfeeding, I will step out of the room if your baby needs to eat.
When will I get to view pictures from my newborn portraits?
You will get an online proof gallery with your unedited pictures within two weeks of your newborn portrait session.
When will I get the final digital photographs delivered to me?
Final photo galleries are delivered online within three weeks after you notify me that you are done selecting your favorite portraits from your baby’s photoshoot.
Will my newborn photographs be edited.
Yes. Standard newborn portrait editing includes adjusting color, brightness, and contrast, removing acne, scratches, and flakes from face. The typical newborn baby peeling skin on the rest of the body is not edited out of images. For mom and dad, editing includes softening of wrinkles, removal of undereye bags (hey, I know you’re tired, your pictures certainly don’t need to reflect it), whitening of teeth, etc.
How Can I Prepare Siblings for the Newborn Portrait Session?
Prepare siblings for the portrait session by letting them hold the baby, with assistance. Make holding the baby a big deal. Get excited about it! Tell her “you get to hold the baby now” and make it a fun experience. Make it seem like a special treat. That way she’ll want to do it when you get to the studio. Maybe. If the siblings are too young to hold the baby, I’ll pose the baby in a basket and have the siblings sit next to the basket.
Either way, make sure you talk to them about how much fun we are going to have. And please please please don’t tell them to smile or talk about their smile ahead of time. I will be super goofy and try to work real, natural smiles out of your children, but if you coach them ahead, or stand over my shoulder and command that they “smile” it will make it much harder to get good pictures of your kids.
Also, do not threaten your children about their behavior at the session. This makes it scary. No “if you don’t smile pretty I will…” or “if you don’t behave you’re getting a timeout.” This sets the whole thing up in a negative tone which is exactly what we don’t want.
Please be aware that some siblings do not find it a treat and are a bit out of sorts about this “new baby thing.” I will do everything I can to get a portrait of the siblings together, but please understand that it is not always possible to do so when you have a younger child who just isn’t cooperative.
If we are doing family and sibling shots, we will do these portraits first. After we are done with the siblings, please have someone available who can take the siblings home or somewhere to play for several hours. During the newborn session, it’s important that we have a quiet, stress-free zone of peace for the baby to totally relax.
Can I include extended family in my newborn portrait session?
Extended family can be added for an additional fee. Please contact the studio to inquire.
Can extended family come to watch the newborn portrait session?
I have room in my studio for two adults to sit comfortably during the newborn session. If both parents are not planning to participate, you may certainly bring another adult, like a sister or a grandparent, to the newborn portrait session. However, my studio doesn’t have room to accommodate more than that.
What should I bring to my newborn portrait session?
Please bring a bottle and formula if baby is not breastfed. If your baby takes one, please bring a pacifier. Also bring diapers, wipes, and a burp cloth.
Can I take pictures with my cell phone during the session?
Sorry, but no. The only one allowed to take pictures in my studio is me.
How/When do I pay for my newborn portrait session?
A deposit will be collected when you schedule your portrait session. The balance will be due on the day of your session. I accept all major credit cards, personal checks, and cash. However, I cannot make change. Please keep in mind that I do charge 7% sales tax so if you are bringing cash, be sure to factor that into your balance.
Reviews for Westfield Newborn Photographer Leah Severson
Leah is amazing!! From the time I reached out to inquire scheduling my baby boy pictures which was so close to Christmas. Leah responded quickly and was able to get us in. Which i am so grateful for. She sent me everything I needed to know to prep for my photoshoot day and greeted us with a beautiful smile and voice once we arrived to the studio. She was amazing with my baby boy, he did so well and the pictures turned out WONDERFUL. We will definitely be back to capture more milestone pictures in his first year and ongoing. I recommend you book with Leah immediately you won’t regret it at all.”
-Mesha Burton
“Leah did a wonderful job with our maternity shoot! She exceeded my expectations with incredible quality edited photos and her professionalism. We will treasure our pictures forever.”
-Nerina Disomma
“Absolutely love working with Leah. As a baby photographer her portraits capture moments that are cherish-able. Her experience working with newborns shines through, and her photos display a skill you just don’t find anywhere else.”
-Elki Camacho
“I chose Leah to take my baby’s newborn pictures and was not disappointed. I’m a first time mom and wanted to have someone experienced taking pictures of babies and Leah did not disappoint. Not only did she take quality photos, she made me and my baby so comfortable. Leah was informative and personable. She created lifelong memories for my family. Great experience overall!”
-Shayla Irby
How to Schedule Your Newborn Photoshoot in Westfield
Ready to schedule your newborn portrait session? Or have more questions about the process? I’m happy to chat. Please call me at the studio, 317-867-3723 and we will begin planning the perfect session for your new baby. Or you can visit my Westfield newborn portrait gallery to see some of the best newborn portraits around!