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What are your favorite newborn props? And what would you consider the essentials, minus camera and lighting equipment, to bring on a shoot??
My fave props include my flokati rug, arsenal of wraps/headbands and antique store finds. My favorite props are the one-of-a-kind props I have found while shopping antique stores. As for newborn shoot essentials, my list includes my iPhone and iPad equipped with my aSleep app for white noise, my Newborn Nest posing bag, a space heater, wipes, hand sanitizer, one good neutral beanbag fabric and a more colorful one, 2-3 wraps with coordinating hats and headbands and 2-3 baskets/buckets/bowls.

What’s the best way to transition babies from different poses?
I recommend starting with beanbag poses to allow baby to get comfortable and fall into that deep sleep. Start with simpler poses then move into the more challenging poses once baby is really sleepy. Transitioning is very important. My goal is to move from pose to pose with as little movement and disruption as possible, so choose a workflow that allows for this. I like to start with wrapped poses because babies are swaddled and able to reach that sleepy state a little quicker.

Which newborn session has been your favorite so far? Could you share an image from it??
Gosh, I don’t know if I can say I have an all time favorite. I have so many that I have really loved. I love different sessions for different reasons. I will share a couple of my favorite images from a recent newborn boy and a newborn girl session.

How do you set your white balance to get the skin tones as right as you can SOOC?
I use a simple grey card to set my white balance in camera. I am all about nailing everything in camera, spending less time in front of the computer and more time with my family. :)

Do you have “staple” poses that you do every session? How many set ups do you prepare for each session?
Yes, absolutely. I love, love, love the tushie up pose and wrapped shots. I do those with every session and they are a client favorite. I am drawn to the simpler, classic newborn poses. I typically plan for 5-7 bean bag poses and three prop set-ups with each session. Not all of my clients request family poses, so those are added upon request. My sessions generally last about three hours and that includes time for feedings.

What do you do when a newborn just does NOT want to sleep at all? Are there any other secrets besides a full belly, hot room, noise machine, etc?
I have been lucky and have always been able to get a good stretch of sleep out of my little clients. On occasion I have had babies that I struggled with, but eventually they will tire out. My most difficult babies have been those with fresh circumcisions, severe diaper rash or tummy issues. In cases like these you just have to work with baby and do poses they are most comfortable in. Wrapped shots are great for babies that just don’t want to settle. Once wrapped nice and tight they generally settle into a sleep. Don’t be afraid to capture awake shots though…parents will always buy them. Aside from a fully belly, white noise and a warm room – scheduling newborn sessions as early as possible is helpful; I suggest 5-10 days after birth.

How many sessions a month do you try to limit yourself to? To balance family and career . What is an average editing time for each newborn?
I try to limit myself to 3-4 sessions a week as a full-time photographer. It generally takes me about three hours to edit a session from start to finish, longer if the baby has more complicated skin.

I would love to know what is under your blankets. I know you use a newborn nest but what else does you use below the background to help pose the babies and keep them where she wants them.
I use receiving blankets and towels to pose my little clients. :)

What do you do when you have more than just the mother in your face throwing suggestions?
Me and the mom of thus little baby had a time trying to get things done with a grandmother and aunt hovering over us.. It was hard to keep the atmosphere calm with the grandparents and such causing so much tension.  I request that my clients bring no more than their spouse and one other person, if necessary, to the session. I believe it’s important to set boundaries and expectations before the session so that parents know what to expect. Let them know you are in control and that you will ask for their assistance if needed. Your session will run more smoothly and you will feel less stressed if you do this before the session.