Newborn Photography

Central Virginia newborn baby portrait studio
serving Chesterfield, Petersburg, Richmond, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Prince George, and beyond.

Jennifer Traylor Photography is a Central Virginia newborn baby portrait studio serving Chesterfield, Petersburg, Richmond, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Prince George, and beyond. Our clients often remark that they love the scenic countryside drive that takes them away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Newborns are my absolute favorite subjects to capture. I love everything about these tiny treasures from their tiny fingers and toes to their beautiful new eyelashes. I would absolutely love to capture every special detail for you.

What to bring?

Also start now, by looking into family treasures and heirlooms for blankets, quilts, bonnets, baskets, and containers that can be used to customize your session. Look to my page for inspiration. You may also want to visit etsy.com (or some of the vendors linked near the bottom of the page)  if you would like to purchase custom items for your session.  Many parents arrive trusting in my expertise, knowing my studio is well-equipped with everything for the session.   Please bring an extra change of clothing for yourself, extra milk, and plenty of diapers. Many parents are more comfortable dressing in layers as the studio is kept warm for the baby.

Studio Location:

The studio is surrounded by
the very quiet countryside in 
Dinwiddie County, located at: 
6995 Claiborne Road
Sutherland, Virginia 23885
NEED DIRECTIONS? CLICK HERE!

When to book?

There are a few things to keep in mind when scheduling your newborn session. The absolute number one thing to consider is time.  Newborns have a very short window of time in which they stay curled up in those beautiful, squishy, curled-up poses.  Take time to schedule your appointment well before you deliver.  I will pencil you in around the week of your due date and we will finalize the date and time, once the baby has arrived.  The preschedule will ensure that you have an appointment. It is best to book that appointment well in advance because these appointments require more time than a standard session and as such I am currently only able to book a handful of these appointments per month.

Most Asked Questions & Answers

Q:  Does my baby need clothes or special outfits for the session?
A: No. I have many props including wraps, hats, and headbands. If you would like to have pictures of your baby in a onesie or clothes, we will save those pictures for the end of the session to ensure that the baby does not have elastic marks for the other poses. Some of my favorite poses have the baby in nothing but a birthday suit and a carefully positioned cloth or scarf. Please loosen the baby’s diaper about an hour before the session, to prevent marks from the tabs.

Q:  I would like to provide a custom outfit so that I can save it for a keepsake.  Do you have vendors that you recommend purchasing from so that I get a great fit?
A:  Yes.  There are many vendors that I recommend.  Some of them may take quite a while to get, depending on location and if they have items that are ready to ship.  Please give yourself ample time to order.

https://dede-props.myshopify.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhimsicalLoveDesign

http://prettypinkruffles.bigcartel.com/

http://www.lemonandpearldesign.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGoldenStitchProps

Q:  I am nursing, does what I eat affect the baby?
A:  There are certain things that the new mom should avoid to prevent gassiness and promote sleepiness in her newborn. Please do your best to avoid the following foods for two days before your session. We want to do everything we can to ensure the baby is feeling his/her best at the time of the session.

AVOID:

• Coffee and other caffeinated beverages including Sweet Tea
• Chocolate
• Broccoli, Cauliflower, Beans, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, and any foods that normally give mommy gas.
• Energy Drinks/supplements that are meant to wake you up or keep you awake, including herbal supplements that are marketed for energy.

Q:  Will my baby stay on schedule?
A:  While it is highly unlikely that the baby has been trainable to a schedule this early, you may be working on one.  Session days are hectic, even for a very calm baby.  You will be doing many things that aren’t on your typical schedule, like getting ready, putting on makeup, bathing the baby at a different time, etc. The baby may not appear to notice and some look like they sleep right thru all of this and their session. But, being moved around, dressed and undressed, and dressed again, will tire them out more than usual. They may need to eat more often, and they may even have to be coaxed into eating.  All are completely normal.  Bring ample milk or be ready to nurse more often than you typically do.

Q: Will my baby cry?
A: Some babies make it through the entire session without a peep. Some babies do not. All babies are different. If your baby gets fussy, I have tricks to get them back to sleep. If your baby gets hungry, we will have time for you to stop and feed them. This is normal. Feed your baby right before the session, but expect that you may have to feed again, especially if you are breastfeeding.

Q: If my baby is nude, will they pee or poop on me?
A: Possibly, lol. At this age, babies have zero control. Make sure that you have extra clothes for yourself on hand. I will have plenty of cloth diapers with me for any messes that may occur. Keeping calm is very important. Babies are very good at sensing your feelings. Expect it to happen and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn’t.

Q: Can I be in some of the pictures with my baby?
A: Absolutely.  If you would like pictures with the baby please let me know before the session and choose the coordinating session that includes family on your questionnaire.   Most likely we will do those pictures first.  I have heaters to set up that will keep the picture area very warm, so we want to make sure we do those before you have gotten sweaty.  Keeping the baby warm ensures they are comfortable and sleepy. 🙂

Q: Can my other children be posed with the baby?
A: Yes.  Keep in mind that children sometimes have a difficult time with the transition into siblinghood.  If your child is having difficulty with that, the portrait session will not be the best time to work on that.  If you have someone that can take the children outside to play, or maybe to the park, for the remainder of the session, that is even better.  Babies can startle very easily at this stage.  Some siblings also feel very protective over the new baby and the (stranger) that is holding their new baby, may not go over well with them.

Q: Can my dog be in a picture with the baby?
A: If you are absolutely comfortable with your dog being that close to the baby and your dog is calm, yes.  You must have two adults present if that is the case.  One will be strictly in charge of the dog, and handling him/her for that picture.

Jennifer Traylor Photography is a central Virginia custom artistic baby portrait studio.  Capturing both posed and candid moments in the studio and on location in the beautiful scenic areas of the Tri-Cities area.  JTP serves Richmond and the surrounding areas including Amelia, Blackstone, Chesterfield, City of Petersburg, City of Richmond, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Midlothian, and beyond. Custom portraits are more than a click of a shutter, They involve vision, creation, and collaboration between the artist and the client. From the moment you contact JTP, you will be part of the process of choosing colors, ideas, and gorgeous products to display our collective creation. You will look back on these images and remember the flutter of little kicks inside your growing belly, the smell of your precious newborn baby, and the giggle of your bubbling baby. Would you like to chat about your session or reserve your session date? Reach Jennifer by phone or text at 804-399-3872 or email jennifertraylorphotography@gmail.com Let’s get started today!