Newborn Sessions in a Heatwave? My Derbyshire Studio Has Air-Con
If you’re pregnant and due during the summer months, you might be wondering how on earth a newborn photoshoot is going to work when the temperatures are soaring?! Whether you’re a mum to be in your second or third trimester right now, or you’ve just welcomed your little one, this one’s for you.
After all, newborn photography often involves a lovely warm studio to help your little one stay cosy and sleepy. So what happens when it’s already tipping over 30°C outside??
Well, I’ve got good news…!!
My Derbyshire newborn photography studio has air-conditioning! Oh the relief!!
So even if we’re having a full-on British heatwave outside (which seems to be the norm these days), you and your precious new arrival can enjoy a comfortable, calm and carefully controlled environment inside.
A heatwave doesn’t have to mean cancelling your newborn photoshoot & Me Session?
I get it – so much goes into planning a newborn session. Weeks of prepping during pregnancy (maybe even some of it squeezed in around maternity leave, or paternity leave if you’re the other half!), choosing outfits, dreaming up the shots you want, and then finally your little one is here safe and sound.
The last thing you need is to worry about the weather ruining your plans!! Thankfully, a hot summer’s day (or month!) doesn’t mean your newborn photography session needs to be postponed.
My studio in Draycott in the Clay, near Ashbourne, is fully equipped with air-conditioning, meaning I can keep the room at a comfortable temperature for both baby and parents (and me, I may add!). So while it might feel like you’re melting the second you step out of your front door, inside the studio we can keep things lovely and comfortable!
But don’t newborns need a warm studio?
Yes – but there’s a difference between keeping a studio warm enough for a newborn and making the entire room unbearably hot for everyone! During a newborn session, I carefully consider the temperature throughout the shoot and most importantly, follow baby’s cues.
My newborn sessions are baby-led, which means your baby’s comfort always comes first. If they need feeding, changing, cuddling or simply a little break, we stop.
There is absolutely no rushing.
I’ve photographed hundreds of newborns now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that a happy, settled baby will always beat sticking to a schedule.
What happens if baby gets too warm?
This is exactly why having air-conditioning in the studio is such a bonus during a UK heatwave!! Rather than relying on open windows or fans, I can control the studio environment and keep things comfortable. And because newborn sessions are baby-led and unrushed, I’m constantly watching baby and adjusting what we’re doing as we go. Baby’s safety and comfort come first, always – that’s just how I work.
If baby is unsettled, we’ll take a break.
If baby needs another feed, we’ll stop.
If baby needs a cuddle from Mum or Dad, we’ll have a cuddle.
That’s all completely normal.
What should you wear for a newborn session in summer?
This is another question I often get asked.
You don’t need to arrive in your thickest winter clothes just because it’s a newborn studio!
For parents and siblings, I recommend comfortable, neutral clothing that photographs beautifully and allows you to move easily.
Think about:
- Creams and beiges
- Soft neutrals
- Natural fabrics
- Simple, timeless clothing
- Light layers
You can always bring a spare outfit too – particularly if you’ve got a newborn involved!
Because let’s face it… poonamis don’t check the weather forecast!!
My newborn photography sessions can also include family and sibling photographs, so we’ll make sure everyone is comfortable rather than trying to squeeze the whole family into an overheated outfit.
You don’t need to bring everything but the kitchen sink
If you’re a first-time parent, you might be wondering what on earth you’re supposed to bring to a newborn photoshoot.
The answer is: not as much as you think.
My studio has a huge selection of newborn props, outfits and accessories available for your session, so you don’t need to arrive with a suitcase full of photography equipment! Your job is really just to bring your baby, yourselves and anything particularly special you’d like included in the photographs.
Here’s some images that I shot during the heatwave with freeze pops flowing and no air con at this point this is what made me make improvements to the studio environment but the photographs are so gorgeous and ready to hang wall art ready for their walls at home.
Why summer can actually be a beautiful time for newborn photography
There’s honestly something lovely about having a baby in the summer.
Longer days.
Beautiful light.
The excitement of those first warm-weather walks.
And, of course, those gorgeous newborn photographs documenting your baby at their tiniest.
You don’t need to worry about the weather outside when you have a comfortable studio waiting for you! Whether it’s raining, freezing cold or absolutely roasting, your newborn session can go ahead in a controlled, comfortable environment.
And before you know it, those tiny newborn days give way to life with a toddler – which is exactly why so many of my Derbyshire families come back to see me year after year!
Looking for a newborn photographer in Derbyshire?
If you’re a mum to be, expecting a baby, and searching for a newborn photographer in Derbyshire, I’d love to welcome you to my studio in Draycott in the Clay, near Ashbourne. I photograph expectant mums and dads and their newborns from right across Derbyshire and Ashbourne, all year round.
Whether your baby arrives in the middle of a summer heatwave or on a chilly winter morning, you can relax knowing your session is taken care of, in a studio that’s ready for whatever the weather throws at us.
And yes…
The air-con will be on!
Gemma x
Gemma Yeomans Photography Award-winning newborn and family photographer in Ashbourne, Derbyshire