For newborn photography sessions I allocate enough time so there is no pressure on the new mom. The photography session can be paused for changing, feeding or setting. I will most likely be on time so aim to have your baby finishing up a feed when I am due to arrive (don't worry if this doesn't work out - this is just the ideal scenario. I work well in every situation!).

I like when your baby is dressed when I arrive (in something that you are happy for him to be photographed in). I usually do family photographs first and I think it's nice to have clothes on the newborn for those pics. It's easy for me to undress a baby without waking and disturbing her but dressing the baby is a different story!

Have the house warm too so if the baby is in bare skin it will be warm enough.

I bring a beanbag and neutral blankets with me for positioning your baby. I don't bring other props with me and there are a few reasons for this (see FAQ section). However, feel free to gather a selection of blankets, soft toys, hats or anything else you think might be nice to use. If nothing comes to mind though don't worry, props are not necessary and sometimes the simpler the better with newborn photographs.

This stage can be a little tricky. It is a nice age to photograph as their eyes are bright and wide. They don't always smile during the sessions but that's ok. I love big wide eyes at this stage and a beautiful portrait is guaranteed. The only thing to keep in mind for this age is that you may not get as wide a variety of shots.

They are not as responsive as the next stage below and are unlikely to get in to a deep sleep for curled up baby pics. They can be a little fussy at times and a bit less predictable but once you are aware of this the session will be lovely.

I love working with babies between four and nine months. They are usually in top form for 45 minutes. In fact, I can set my watch to them! This is a great age for parents to be involved in the sessions. This age group are particularly responsive to faces and expressions.

They like short bursts of stimulation but then are exhausted after 45 minutes...ready for a nap. It is so easy and fun to make babies of this developmental stage laugh and smile EXCEPT if he or she is sick or under the weather in any way. If this is the case, even if it's last minute, please consider postponing. Your baby will not be able for the session if he or she is not feeling well. 

This age can make strange. That's ok. I take it slowly at this stage and they usually warm up after 20 minutes. Active sessions are best with this age. Plenty of distraction, toys and parent interaction. At this age I find that babies are less interested in new faces and really engaged by action, toys, exploring. Sometimes with this stage I take a more passive, observing role and I rely more on parent interactions to catch the shots. 

Please don't worry about how your toddler will behave on the day. I am used to working with all ages and adopt a different approach with each age group. The most important thing to remember is for you to stay relaxed. Even if the session seems to you like it's not going well, please trust me and know that I will get great shots for you.

What I can see is different to how you might experience the session. It's usually great fun but sometimes with toddlers it can be tricky. 

I absolutely love working with older children too. Very little preparation is needed and they usually have a great time during the session. Just make sure everyone is ready for when I arrive. Some children can get a bit giddy during the sessions. Please allow this to happen and don't worry about "best behaviour". Giddy children make wonderful photographs.

I love working with newborns and their sisters and brothers. I will always include the older children and take as many pictures as them as their new sibling. I usually get great pictures of the older child with the new baby and I have lots of tips and tricks to achieve this.

Toddlers of 18months- 2years however usually have very little interest in the new baby and it can be tricky to get the shot of the two together. I usually achieve it but just so you are aware that it's not always easy! 

Please try not to be nervous or self-conscious with me. I love photographing families and I really will be mostly focused on the children. During the session, especially for toddlers and older kids, I will try and surprise them or make them laugh. It's often a natural reaction of grownups to respond too with "surprise faces"!

Try your best to not react yourselves if I am trying to get a reaction out of the kids. You just be ready for the photograph and allow me to interact with the kids. This is especially true for larger group shots. It's actually more difficult than it sounds but try your best to allow me to get the reactions out of the children in groups shots. I will let you know if I need help.

When I am photographing your children on their own without you in the shot, please allow me to keep their attention. Too many instructions and voices can be distracting for the kids. It's important that I can connect with them during the session. My invitation to you is to allow me to take charge for an hour and for you to relax and enjoy the session. 

Keep it simple and don't worry too much about it. I suggest avoiding logos or distracting writing on clothes. Make sure everyone is comfortable in what they are wearing and that the children feel like their usual selves.

Little girls always look gorgeous in summer dresses but only if they are happy to wear them. Leggings are a good idea under dresses. Try to avoid sports clothes for boys. It can date pretty quickly. Shoes are not necessary for children...or adults if you don't want to wear them.

For family shots, it is often a good idea to wear similar style clothing and colours that compliment each other. For example, it would not look good to have one family member dressed in formal gear and the others in casual clothes. I find soft tones photograph beautifully. Blues, pinks (particularly gorgeous in photos), creams, soft greens etc. Floral patterns can photograph well too. Black and navy are ok but can show every speck of fluff and dust. Make sure you are not too warm. Very strong colours (like cerise pink or tangerine) can often reflect on baby skin so it's best to avoid very bright block colours for newborn sessions.

All that said, the most important aspect is that everyone is comfortable, at ease and happy in themselves so that expression and personality can really shine through.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Location: Dublin, Ireland. Sinéad Feeney Photography LTD. Newborn, baby and family professional photographer.