6 Month Session Guide
Six months old is such a fun time. By now, your baby is probably laughing (or at least giving an amused chuckle here and there), and their personality is starting to show more and more each day. This session will be simple, fun, and age-appropriate.
What to Expect
Lifestyle sessions are very relaxed and include the whole family (parents, siblings, and babies). When I first get there I will walk around your home to get our plan for the session. Plan on me being there 1-2 hours.
Feel free to have your clothes out if you would like help deciding what to wear. Please make sure your home is warm enough for baby so that we can get some photos that show off baby’s rolls!
Babies are welcome to feed at any time during our session.
What to Prepare
Activities: simple, age-appropriate activities include things you do in your regular life: playing with specific toys, reading board books, snack time, singing songs, etc.
Clutter removed: The main rooms we will photograph in are usually baby’s room, the master bedroom, and the living room. Please have clutter put away or hidden under the bed or in closets before I get there (at the very least in the aforementioned rooms). Clutter includes things like breast pumps, water cups by the side of the bed, papers on counters, etc. This just helps to not distract the eye from the main subject of the photos - you and your baby!
Blankets/Quilts: If you have a particular favorite blanket or a knitted gift from grandma, have it out so that we can incorporate it in our session. If we go outside, you will also need a blanket to sit on, and possibly an additional blanket for warmth in the colder months.
Books: Reading to baby is a simple activity that can include the whole family.
Snacks: Especially for families with young children, snacks prepared ahead of time are a huge time saver!
Please note that I often move furniture around so we can get shots with the best light. I’ll try to put it back before I leave! :)
Fresh flowers are a great way to add a pretty accent or touch of color in the background.
Location
Most six month sessions take place at home and in the backyard. The most common rooms we will photograph in are:
Your bedroom - with a focus on the master bed.
Baby’s Room / Nursery - crib photos, nursing chair, etc.
Living Room
The room with the best light. If you know which one that is already, feel free to let me know before our session!
Backyard
Time
Sessions are usually between 1-2 hours and most sessions take place in the morning when babies are most alert. Depending on the time of year, I try to schedule the session right after a nap so that we have the longest window of time to work with, and so that baby is happiest. This will vary depending on your baby’s nap routine.
What to Wear
Consider the weather! If you or your baby are cold and we’re doing an outdoor session, we might have some pink noses!
General guidelines: Textures photograph really beautifully! Avoid logos, clashing patterns, and neon.
For mom: Wear what you feel beautiful in. Personally I love chiffon or maxi dresses for summer, and knit sweaters for fall/winter. If you plan to breastfeed in your photos, make sure that’s easily accessible in your outfit.
For dad: Jeans and a nice shirt (without logos!). Knit sweaters look great over button ups as well in the winter time.
For baby: A simple, solid onesie is great (you can never go wrong with a simple white or gray onesie), and anything that is important to you that you would like photographed. Carters makes really adorable fall/winter knit onesies. H&M also has really cute outfits. Avoid clothing with characters or words on them (ex. Mickey Mouse saying hello).
For siblings or grandparents: Follow the same guidelines above for mom and dad (neutral colors that won’t distract from baby or create a color cast on baby’s skin). Avoid neon colors, loud patterns, and logos.
Fun clothing test: Imagine that all of the clothing from your outfits is put on one person, does it look cohesive or are some pieces clashing? That’s a great way to determine if your outfits will go well together!
Seasonal Colors: If your session is in the fall, it is totally fine to coordinate in fall colors/outfits. My main request is that you avoid neon colors - this shows up most in the spring and summer.
Holiday Outfits: For Halloween, Christmas, and other holidays, I recommend having additional outfits picked out so that you your entire session isn’t holiday specific (unless that is something you are looking for).
Siblings & Pets
If you have older children, they can definitely be in the photos too! I always try to start with siblings first so that they can go off to do something else once their patience level runs out. Mom or dad can take older children into another room to play, however I do ask that one parent is always present with the baby for safety and comfort.
Pets are also welcome at the session! Please note that safety is my main concern when it comes to pet involvement, and I cannot be responsible for your pet’s actions.
COVID-19 Protocol
I am fully vaccinated.
I will always bring hand sanitizer and/or wash my hands throughout our session.
If you or any of your family members are sick within 48 hours of the photo session, or if you or your household members have come in contact with someone who has tested positive with COVID-19 within two weeks of our session date, please let me know so that we can reschedule your session. Likewise, I will contact you should that happen to me.
You can always contact me with any questions: alice@alicemaliaphotography.com