Session Styling Questionnaire | Best Houston Newborn Photos

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography shares the newborn styling questionnaire and how she creates stunning baby portraiture sessions by keeping your preferences in mind.

Designing Gorgeous & Unique Photography for New Babies

Hi, gang! Good morning to you! Today's blog post is all about what you can expect when it comes to newborn styling and session design. If you've ever taken a quick peek at my Houston Newborn Photography Studio, you'll see that I have a huge array of props and items on hand just for you. Part of booking a newborn collection with me includes having full access to all of the amazing, custom and handmade items for new babies.

However, sometimes it can be overwhelming to parents when they try to consider all the different options. They see the buckets, bowls, crates, headbands, wraps, backdrops, etc., and it becomes what I call "analysis paralysis" where it's just too much and overwhelming. Since most parents do one newborn session and these truly are once in a lifetime photos, I have developed a great newborn styling and stat questionnaire tailored to each baby to ensure you have the most beautiful, breathtaking and gorgeous photos possible!

For example, the questionnaire covers things like skin tone, baby's weight, and your feeding preferences. These type of questions are really important to ask because it helps me know what colors will look good against baby's skin, which props they'll fit best into, and also if I should bring you in earlier since a formula fed baby eats quicker than a breastfed baby. It helps with scheduling and planning. 

Moreover, your questionnaire covers things like the type of colors in your home or baby's nursery or if there is a prop you love on my website and you'd like to make sure it makes your way into the nursery.

What You May Expect from the newborn questionnaire

• What is baby's birthday?

• How much does baby weigh?

• Is baby jaundice?

• Is baby bottle fed or breastfed?

• Does baby take a pacifier?

• What colors are found in your nursery?

• What are a few colors you would like to avoid?

• Is there a prop you love?

• What are your favorite poses?

• Is there a pose you'd like to avoid?

• Do you have any concerns I may assist with?

These questions are a fantastic starting point for me so I know how to design something you're sure to love, treasure and adore for generations to come. Remember: these photos will be passed down as heirlooms and you're not just taking these for yourself, but for your little one, who will then show them to his or her own children (many years from now, ha).

Creating the Best Houston Newborn Photography

Each session is an individual - just like your family and baby. I take your answers to the styling questionnaire and creating a unique session just for you. It removes the guesswork for you and takes stress away from parents. Everything is provided by me. Please do not feel like you must bring any props from home. :-) 

For example, for this session I am going to preview, Mom relayed answers to all of these questions listed above. She explained baby weighs just under 8 pounds, is not jaundice, is breast fed, does not take a paci, and that she really would like to see only mint, sage, pink, blush, neutrals and purples in baby girl's session. She was also open to all sorts of props. Mom and Dad did not want any naked bean bag posing - just simple, cozy and sweet newborn styles of wrapping for a more modest session.

Here's what I came up with for Baby girl R. 

I am so excited to have worked with this family again, too! They're some of my favorite clients and we've had a wonderful time getting to know one another. :-) 

Girl Newborn Photography Session Color Scheme Ideas

Baby R's session was filled with all things girly, sweet, timeless and classic. Soft, muted colors such as lilac and blush pink; sage and mint also made an appearance as well as organic neutrals. Check out some of my favorite images. She is truly one of the most stunning newborn baby girl's I've had the honor of photographing!

As always, thank you for visiting my little creative corner of the earth in which I share fun details about my professional Houston newborn photography! If you enjoyed reading about the newborn styling questionnaire, you may like reading about these topics, too:

• Favorite newborn poses during baby's first photo shoot

• Cozy & unique styles of newborn wrapping

• Why Sarah is the Best Houston Newborn Photography Choice for You

Posing Ideas & Color Scheme for Newborn Boy Photography | Jayce

Houston Newborn & Baby Portrait Photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, shares timeless and classic posing + color scheme ideas for your next baby boy in studio!

Jayce's First Portrait Session ~ Earth side at 3 weeks new

Good morning to you! Today's blog post is all about some fun posing ideas and color scheme inspiration for your next baby boy you have in studio. This is also a great post for parents to check out since it talks about how we select colors for your own posed newborn session. 

When baby's sweet Mom first contacted me to book the session, baby was a little older than I normally take, however, she was so kind and easy to correspond with that I decided to add him to the calendar. After the booking process, Mom and I chatted about colors she would like to see in his session. Her favorites were grey, mint, burgundy, ivory and also a neutral set up, too.  I like for you to share color preferences with me because it's a great way to know where to begin on session set up, styling and design. You should love each and every photo so by starting with your favorite colors, I'm able to ensure you'll adore the gallery. 

GRAY

For little newborn baby boys, I truly adore a gray set up to make its way into your session because gray is extremely classic, timeless and lovely. 30 years from now, the color will still look fantastic! It also is a wonderful choice no matter the skin tone. 

As you can see above, I posed handsome Jayce in many sweet poses, with froggy (also known as chin in hands) being one of his mom's must have poses. :-) Afterwards, I moved baby to tootsie wrap, seen below, so we could not only capture him in a cozy style of newborn wrapping but also have the opportunity to have a macro image of his toes.  

Ivory, White and Cream

Each newborn session can totally benefit from having a soft, pure and fresh set up that falls into the lighter, cleaner tones like ivory, white or cream. This style of wrapping, seen below, is called "potato sack" and I love all the different textures. Texture is a wonderful way to create timeless yet unique newborn photography galleries because the options are endless. Instead of using one type of fabric when posing the baby, as the newborn artist, you have the option to use perhaps a fluffy flokati rug, chunky knit wrap, or a classic hand crafted bonnet. I also pulled a fantastic vintage quilt pillow that's navy and white; such a sweet touch. Vintage props are a favorite of mine and you'll find them weaved throughout all of my colors and posing ideas since they're timeless, classic and perfect for sweet cherub babies. :-) 

When posing baby in potato sack pose, my favorite part of this pose is when each hand is perfectly placed beneath baby's chin. Take the time to look at the details as whole; don't rush. Taking your time makes sure the posing looks excellent and that each color you've selected for the session is arranged in a thoughtful way. It also makes for less editing time. 

Burgundy 

When in studio with a new baby, I like to pull a darker, more rich or vibrant tone for baby because it adds much soul to you final gallery. :-) Burgundy is a favorite newborn boy color of mine because it can be used in a variety of ways; in this particular set up, I wrapped baby and used back lit studio lighting to illimuniate him from behind with a heavenly, soft glow. 

Mint, Sea Foam or Light Green

A rustic and natural wooden bucket is a must have for any newborn photographer. In this particular set up, Mom requested this light green color, previewed below. The color looks fantastic here because the baby in a bucket pose is truly a standard for any newborn session. Each baby who visits has a bucket shot included in their gallery. 

The sea foam and mint are particularly favorites of mine because they match the wood wall you see in my studio and also contrast with the wooden bucket. 

Neutrals + Knits

Ahhhh, neutrals and knits! When I first began newborn photography, I did not use any knits because I had yet to discover them. However, a few months ago I started perusing more variety and started purchasing all sorts of knitted wraps and layers, blankets, etc. I have them in every color typically, however, for a neutral set up I like a soft oatmeal color, muted thistle or taupe, even. This pose is in potato sack wrap and the color works well here because the wooden, antique crate is distressed and when used with my custom wood wall, it has all the warmth you need for a unique baby portrait.

Thanks for stopping by the blog to see a few posing ideas and color schemes you may want to try with your next newborn session. If you're a parent, this post may also have been fun for you to read since it might cover colors or poses you have not considered before. Wishing you a great rest of your evening!

Before you go, however, you may like seeing what's new on instagram:

You may also like reading more about the following topics:

• Check out Sarah's Houston Newborn Portrait Studio
• Newborn Styling and Props: Vintage meets Classic for Timeless Results
• Compare a boy to girl newborn gallery

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. 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 Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

Sarah's Studio is located here:

Vintage Meets Classic for Timeless Results | Newborn Studio Props

Full Time Newborn Portrait Artist, Sarah Borchgrevink, shares her favorite studio props that are vintage, classic and timeless. Check out the list for parents to view for session styling!

The Cutest Baby Props for Houston Newborn Portraits

Good morning, gang, and welcome to my blog! This post is a preview of my studio space so potential clients may see the sort of props I have on hand. If this is your first time here, welcome! As a professional photographer, I exclusively photograph precious newborn babies in the first 14 days of life. I take 15-18 due dates per month with most of my clients booking in the second trimester. My preference to have you in studio is between 5-8 days, however, for the most squishy, darling posing. The earlier the better! This is when baby is most curly and still flexible enough to move  through many poses.

Let's get started, shall we?

My studio serves the Greater Houston Area and is located in Northwest Harris County. Many parents travel to me from locations such as The Woodlands, Galveston, Sugar Land, College Station and Brenham, as well as West University or Montrose.

In my experience, clients select me based on the type of newborn photography work I offer and the unique style I provide. I am fully vaccinated and insured while running a completely legal and tax paying business. Unfortunately, there are many "photographers" who are not running legal businesses, so this is why you see the rates you see on my pricing guide. My newborn profession is how I feed my little ones and take care of my family. 

I'm often asked if I offer in home newborn sessions. Many parents do not understand that I would have to close my studio for the day and would be unable to take any other sessions, ordering appointments or consultations. I do not offer in home photography sessions, however, because as you can see in the photos below, the type of equipment I use is huge. My lights, for example, are 86" and I have three of them. My wood wall is 8'x10' - it is not able to travel as it is mounted into the studs on my studio wall for baby safety. Moreover, I do not like natural light or use any natural light in my baby portraiture, so this is why they all take place in studio.

My studio is extremely cozy and is around 400 square feet. I've done by best to utilize the small space. I've even watched episodes of "Tiny House" for ideas and inspiration on how to use my square footage and make the most of what I have. Inside my space, you'll find everything you need for the best Houston newborn photography. I have every color of wrap, backdrop, numerous antique floor props, a custom wood wall, classic white bed, and lovely light just for you. :-) I also have a huge array of hand made headbands and newborn baby accessories likes caps, bonnets, hats, tiebacks and the most dainty little items to adorn your precious baby! 

I provide everything for your session. I request parents do not bring props, however, I will add 1 personal item into your session if you wish. :-) 

Organic Wraps | Inspired by Texture and Color

Wrapping newborn babies is a huge cornerstone to the type of work I do with my most petite and precious little clients. I pull inspiration from an array of color and hues as well as textures. I like to use organic and wispy items for a soft, feminine look but also chunky knits for a more robust session tone. Babies loved to be wrapped - it's cozy and sweet. The wrapping keeps little one content and allows us to come up with a variety of gorgeous newborn images in a short time. My typical session lasts around 1-2 hours, very rarely do I go to three hours.

I also use the wraps for lovely layering pieces during naked bean bag posing, too. 

Antique Floor Props for a Classic and Timeless Baby Session| Inspired by a love for all things vintage

All of my floor props are hand picked and selected so they're classic, timeless and inspired by my love of vintage newborn photos. I have everything you could possibly need for our floor prop session from buckets, pails, baskets, crates, boxes, etc. If there is a certain prop you love, be sure to let me know so I may pull the item for you. :-) 

Precious Classic Knit Bonnets for Your Cherub plus dainty, feminine and girly newborn girl accessories such as headbands and tieback pieces 

Below is just a small sample of the type of newborn hats, bonnets, caps and other accessories I have on hand for your little one. I also have a huge stash of newborn girl tiebacks and headbands to adorn your sweet little girl! I have nearly 100 bonnets and close to 200 headbands so I assure you there is something for every taste and preference. Whether you like muted pastels, vibrant jewel tones, or laid back neutrals there is the perfect piece to style your baby's first professional portraiture session with Sarah Borchgrevink Photography.

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. 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 Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.