As a Huntsville, AL newborn photographer, I love having the opportunity to document your baby from a maternity session all the way up into the transition to toddlerhood.  When it’s time for your baby’s one year photoshoot, there are a few things that will help your baby look their best (and for their first Baby Plan session too!).

1. Nap in a loose onesie

I always try to take pictures of babies when they are at their happiest, so that usually means in the morning, and past the newborn stage that means I am timing a session to be just after their morning nap.

Wearing a loose onesie will help prevent indentations on your baby’s skin from laying on a seam of their clothing during naptime.  Just before their session is the time to put their special outfit on.

2. Limit these foods for a few days

Flamingos turn pink from their diet, and we can turn a bit orange from our diet.

A lot of foods are carotenoids:

• Carrots

• Sweet potatoes

• Apricots

• Cantaloupes

• Oranges

• Green beans

• Broccoli

• Spinach

• Kale

• Tomatoes

• Squash

These foods can contain beta-carotene, carotene, lycopene, or lutein.  All of which are good for you and should be included in your diet. However, when your baby eats them as the main part of their diet for an extended period of time, it can make their skin look a bit yellow or orange.  

Do what you can to limit these foods for a few days before your session.

Note: If diet is not the cause of your baby turning yellow, that is something your doctor needs to evaluate!

3. Trim fingernails often

As a newborn and on, trimming fingernails is a challenging task, but very worthwhile to prevent your baby from scratching himself.

When your baby is a newborn, I love using outfits that have sleeves that fold over their hands to create a complete mitten-like enclosure to prevent fingernail scratches to your baby’s face.

As your baby gets older, mittens are impractical and your baby needs to be able to use their hands to play and learn new things!  So, clipping and/or filing their nails is a must-do weekly activity.

Distraction has been my key with both of my children.  If they are completely engaged with something or someone other than you across the room, you can sneak a finger or two in for trimming.  If you’re lucky you might even be able to get all of them done in one sitting. I know some parents use a special dessert as a distraction, and sometimes a special toy will do the trick.

Best of luck to you!  I know it can be very difficult, but you can do it!

4. Use rubbing alcohol

If you have a little boy, and he is getting his first haircut, go ahead and use some rubbing alcohol on his neck and the entire hairline that the barber uses his trimmer on.

It’s always a good idea to do what you can to prevent razor burn and infection.

The series collage above is an exclusive product offered to my Baby Plan clients.  It captures the spirit of your child in multiple frames, but composited into one image!  

Charming and unique, the series collage is perfect at one year when your growing toddler proudly holds each letter of his name.

It makes for the perfect update for baby’s nursery, and a special first birthday present.