Ahhhhh yay! You’ve officially booked your photography session with JNP. I am *so* excited to be working with you! Since you’ve already invested in these fresh new photos, let’s make sure YOU are looking fresh too! Whether you are choosing outfits for your whole family or for a couples session read below on some tips of how to best dress for your session.

A few basic things to keep in mind when choosing outfits for your session: 

Where are these photos going to be used? If you’re putting large prints/canvases on the walls of your home, think about the colors in your house. What will match best with your decor? Earth-tones, creams, blues, pastels? 

A little goes a long way! Dressing just a tad bit fancier then you usually do will take your photos to the next level. You’ve already invested in your photos, so you might as well invest some time to plan what you’ll wear! Odds are, you probably won’t even need to shop for new clothes (but also, if you love a good shopping trip, then treat-yo-self!).

Props, accessories, & pets can add so much personality & fun to a session. Hats, sunglasses, bikes, picnics, drinks, footballs, guitars, etc.  Let me photograph you doing real-life things!

Neutrals & Earthen Tones: If you’ve worked with me before, you know that neutrals and earth tones. are. it. The cream of the crop, flower of the flock, tipity top. Seriously the best. They look fantastic with every skin tone, every eye color, and every body type. They also remain classic overtime, essentially making your photos timeless.

If you have a color scheme that your heart is set on, mix in some neutrals with your chosen color scheme. Rather than having everyone in color, break it up with khaki, whites, and browns. For family photo’s, I’ll often have couples or mom & dad standing next to each-other with kids surrounding, so try not to wear a color super similar to your significant other. 

Patterns: A little bit of pattern goes a long way! Try to limit them to no more than 1/3 of your group(or 1/3 of your outfit if it’s just the 2 of you) so that the main focus can be on you and not your clothing.

SHOES & SOCKY SOCKS!! You guys, I have to emphasize this one… I cry a little bit inside when I see everyone’s outfits come together perfectly, and shazam! I look down and see crocks, dirty sneakers, or neon pink socks. Because shoes/socks make their debut into photos too! They are often the most overlooked thing.

If wearing socks, go simple. Either wear clean white socks or socks in a neutral color. Be sure your shoes are squeaky clean and scuff free, and preferably children’s shoes would be free of characters(Elsa and Buzz Lightyear I’m looking at you).

Dudes, if you are wearing dress clothes, I’d highly recommend you either throw on a pair of the “good” dress shoes for your session, or just go barefoot if seasonally appropriate (personally I love the barefoot vibe!).

Accessories are an awesome way to add pops of color. For earthen-toned outfits, explore wood, stone, and metal options. For hat’s, I’d recommend neutrals so they don’t altar your skin-tone.

Hair & Makeup: Use this session as an excuse to get all dolled up! Make a day of it by planning to go out on a date after your session. I can recommend some awesome hair & makeup artists locally(Fade salon is literally next door to us), or just do it yourself! Either way, wearing a little extra makeup & styling your hair makes you look polished and often times, more comfortable in-front of the camera.

For hair, ladies keep it down. If you feel like styling, go for a loose curl or messy braid for a more natural look, no tight ponies. Guys, visit the barber the week of your session for a clean cut. 5 o’clock shadows and burly beards are welcome, just touch them up prior to the session for a clean seamless look.

And if you plan on hopping into the creek/reservoir at the end of your session, wear waterproof mascara & remember to bring towels.

Last but NOT LEAST: Flowy dresses! They are romantic. They are flattering. The way the wind hits them is MAGIC. They make you want to dance. They are the best thing. Literally the perfect occasion to whip out your flowy dress. When in doubt, wear a flowy dress. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

Congratulations! I am so so so excited to be photographing your little one in the coming days. Thank you so very much for choosing me to be a part of these precious memories that will adorn your home for years to come.

This prep guide is meant to help for the success of your newborn session. Newborn sessions are a balancing act that require a lot of preparation. Following this prep guide will aid in the success of your newborn session, as well as the quality of images that we will be able to preserve.

Please follow this guide as closely as you can. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out, we are here to support you.

1. Location and Parking.

We are located at 513 N Buckeye Street in Kokomo, IN 46901, Suite C. We have a large black door with our business name on the bottom corner of the S. Tudor & Co Building. For reference, we are very close to Fade Salon and we share an alley way with Oscars Pizza.

Parking is free and there are no parking time limits, with handicap parking available. The studio is ADA compliant so that anyone may enter the studio with ease. You can park in the front or back of the building, though easiest access is in the front through the black door.

2. Hungry Baby.

Please feed your little one 2 hours prior to their newborn session so that they arrive to the studio hungry. Plan on feeding them as soon as you arrive.

Please also bring along an extra bottle of formula or pumped milk so that we can feed baby as needed throughout the session. If you are breastfeeding and would prefer that no bottles be used, please plan to feed on demand throughout your session, even if baby has just eaten. The studio is “new” to baby with new sounds and smells, and often additional feeding and comforting are needed.

Please also bring a soothie pacifier, the circular bendable pink/blue/orange ones that do not leave marks. They typically provide these at the hospital. We also have unopened ones here if you don’t have any on hand. And if you prefer that we do not use a pacifier, please let us know.

3. Sleepy Baby.

Please “play” with Baby the 1-2 hours prior to your session to ensure that Baby is sleepy upon arrival. I cannot stress enough how important it is to make sure that your Baby stays awake prior to their session.

Sleepy dreamy newborn portraits require a VERY sleepy baby that is freshly full and overdue for a good nap. Even if Baby is normally a heavy sleeper, even if they typically sleep really well this time of day, please please please keep them awake anyway.

Why? Because your baby is SMART. Super smart and they can detect the slightest change in their environment. When Baby arrives to the studio they will be unclothed/unswaddled without blankets and without the calm scent of mom/dad. And they. will. know. it. They will be ready to parrrr-tay if they have been sleeping. If Baby is not kept awake prior to the session, we may need to skip a lot of the dreamy sleepy baby portraits that we all know and love or we may need to reschedule entirely.

To keep baby awake, try giving them a bath, letting them kick with only a diaper on for a bit, setting them on a baby gym mat and showing them crinkly toys or baby books, and tickling their toes and hands. If baby starts getting fussy, move them to a new location, walk around for a bit, and try the above again, avoiding pacifiers if possible. This will ensure those sleepy dreamy newborn portraits.

Note: If you live more than 10 minutes away from the studio, please have someone sit in the backseat with baby to keep them awake during the drive. Try removing their socks/blankets for part of the drive or bringing along those same crinkly toys.

4. Baby Care.

Peely skin is a newborn trademark, especially around their hands, face, and feet. It’s not a worry to us at all, but if you’d prefer, peely skin can be mostly solved with a bath and lotion. We recommend using Aquaphor as it does not leave an oily sheen on Baby’s features.

If your baby has a lot of hair(hello pregnancy heartburn) please bring along a baby brush and let us know how you’d like Baby’s hair styled throughout their session.

Also, Baby will likely be naked at some point during their session with us. Poop happens. All the time. It’s not a big deal to us and we come stocked with diapers and wipes but we recommend bringing along a baby blanket that you don’t mind getting accidentally soiled, just in case.

4. It’s Hot in Here.

We keep the studio at a balmy 82 degrees for Baby’s comfort throughout the session. For this reason, we come dressed for a warm few hours and we suggest that you do as well.

Newborn sessions with parents/siblings are 2-4 hours in length depending on how baby feels. Baby only sessions are typically an hour in length.

If you are having parent/sibling portraits done with baby, we recommend dressing comfortably for the heat and changing into your portrait clothing later.

5. Neutral Outfits.

Parents you are also a big part of the show. Photographing the connection between you and your baby is one of my all time favorite things. Just like in the hospital, skin to skin contact creates the most beautiful images.

Dads: Going shirtless creates timeless skin to skin imagery of you bonding with your baby. If you prefer not to be shirtless, I ask that you bring along a neutral tight fitting shirt with a snug pair of jeans or khakis. Most Dads bring along a new white, beige, or black tshirt. Basic Target Goodfellow tshirts work great for this as well as Uniqulo supima cotton t-shirts. Please avoid shirts with any designs or logos.

Moms: Keep it simple. That new mama glow will be ever present and we only need you and your sweet babe to preserve those sweet cuddly images. Bring along a new, loose fitting tank top that is neutral in color, preferably the same color and tone as your spouses. Target is usually a good bet for basic tanks. Maurices & Free People also have a lot of good options that vary in design if you’d like a little bit of texture. If you prefer more coverage, bring along a neutral blouse or your favorite cardigan. Also, rest assured, that I aim to use flattering angles and light to bring out the natural beauty in your family.

Your hands/nails will make their way into the images. I recommend that you wear no nail polish but if you want to wear something, use this as an excuse for a fresh mani. Visit the salon 2-3 days prior to your session and choose a nude polish.

Lastly, we have a professional hair and makeup artist that visits the studio. While we are working with your little one in the newborn room, you can sit back with a cup of coffee and have your hair and makeup completed. If you’d like to add on hair and makeup services, please let us know as soon as possible and we will make arrangements for you.

6. Sibling Outfits.

Including older brother/sister in your newborn portraits with baby is the perfect way to document this fleeting time in your lives.

Sisters: I will provide a wrap that will act as the perfect top or please bring along a plain neutral fitted tank top. I ask that girls hair be kept natural or in braids and free of bows and headbands. Also just as mom, no nail polish or a fresh nude mani please.

Brothers: A snug pair of jeans/khakis and shirtless are preferred, please take a few moments to talk to your guy about this so that he is prepared for the session. If he prefers not to be shirtless, just like dad a tight fitted white t-shirt with no logos or designs is fine. Natural or lightly gelled hair is great.

7. Additional Info.

If siblings will be joining you for the session, I have some toys and books on hand as well as snacks to keep them busy. If your little one has food allergies, please bring along some safe snack choices. If you plan to bring an iPad or eLearning device, please download games, movies, and books prior to arrival as the studio does not have wifi.

And for ease, here is a helpful packing list:

Spare diapers and wipes
Extra bottle of formula or breastmilk
Soothie Pacifier
Aquaphor
Baby Brush
Baby blanket(that you don’t mind getting dirty)
Spare burp cloth
Comfy clothes
Mom’s Outfit
Dad’s Outfit
Sibling’s Outfit
Sibling’s toys or devices

It is my hope that you come to the studio feeling comfortable and at home. I am truly honored to be documenting this incredible time in your lives and look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby!

Phone: 765-461-3173
Address: 513 N Buckeye Street Kokomo, IN 46901
Email: jessicabnewton@gmail.com

Little ones are our favorite clients. From the first few days, to months, to years, we love to watch them grow. We see them often here at the Downton Kokomo Indiana Photography studio, and we love working with them outdoors at the local Kokomo Parks so they can run and play. If you have any questions, or would like to book, email jessicabnewton@gmail.com for details.

Ohhhhhhhh myyyy goodness. This may be my favorite. session. ever. A SUPRISE PROPOSAL!!!

Sorry, no internet shouting, I’ll stop. But seriously! I’ve been wanting to do a surprise proposal for years and it has finally happened. Evan and Chelsie are engaged!!!!!!!

I’ve know Chelsie for quite sometime. I worked with her and her extended family back in the fall of 2015. Her son Parker was just a little itty bitty guy at the time.

Since then I’ve watched her and her son grow. I’ve seen them ever year since during the Fall season and I’ve been able to document their story together.

This past Fall in 2018 I saw them again, but this time someone new showed up with them. Mr. Evan. I hadn’t met Evan prior to this but it soooooo obvious that they were in love. They were both beaming and a tad nervous, I’m not sure if they had had any professional pictures together prior to this. Evan played with Parker so well during the session and added the perfect smile to their duo, now trio of a family.

A few months ago(January or February I think) I received an email from Evan, which I found very curious when I saw the name pop up in my inbox. I had never talked to Evan directly except for at their session, Chelsie handled all the photo communication up until that point.

Imagine my surprise when Evan tells me that he’s going to propose!!! He had it all planned out. He thought it would be a good idea for me to “fake” a model call and to reach out to Chelsie to see if she and her family would be interested in modeling for me so that I could update my Spring portfolio. Evan doesn’t like doing pictures and Chelsie knows this, so him booking a session with me outright would be suspicious.

We(Evan and myself) decided on a location out near Logansport Indiana. We scouted out the area together early one more and came up with a plan.

We decided to start shooting family pictures first. After a while we would up the trail and head to a cliff overlooking this gorgeous quarry.

I’d simply pull Chelsie aside, asking her if I could get some individual shots of just her, so that I could also have some photos for a headshot portfolio. And while Chelsie was distracted, Evan would pull himself and Park up behind her.

And ta da! She said yes <3

See what you think! This is definitely a favorite of mine so far. Chelsie it’s been so wonderful to meet your family over the years and to watch it change from being just the two of you to now the three. I can’t wait to see where life takes you and I wish you all the happiness in the world!