I want to make your newborn session as easy as possible. I know new parents are usually running on less sleep and adjusting to being home with your sweet baby. My goal is to do anything I can to make this session as smooth and enjoyable as possible! All you have to do is pose, smile, and snuggle that sweet new baby.
When it comes to newborn sessions, many parents start to stress over various factors like location, weather, and what the family will wear. However, when you hire me as your photographer, I aim to make things as easy as possible. That’s why I offer both in-home and studio sessions. You don’t have to worry about taking family photos in the freezing cold or extreme heat. This session is catered to you, the parents, so you can capture these precious moments before they’re gone, with the flexibility you need.
There are many perks to both in-home and studio sessions. In-home sessions save you gas and commute time, and allow you to take photos in the comfort of your own home. This way, you can look back and see exactly how the nursery looked when your baby first arrived, preserving all the small details that might be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of daily life.
On the other hand, studio sessions are perfect if you’re not feeling like your home is photo-ready. I work with studios that I absolutely love, offering a great space to capture those everlasting memories. Plus, a studio session gives you a chance to get out of the house for a few hours while still creating beautiful photos.
It really depends on what YOU want. If you have a nursery set up, great! We can utilize that. If you didn’t get around to finishing the nursery, no worries—we can rent a studio. There are also plenty of options inside your home, like using your bedroom or living room. Don’t stress about doing any crazy cleaning. If there’s a spot I want to shoot at, I’ll move stuff around. Your house doesn’t need to be spotless, I promise!
As for lighting and “the perfect backdrop,” leave that to me. If your home doesn’t get the best lighting, that’s fine—I have tools for that. I’ll bring my lighting system to ensure your photos are of the best quality. When it comes to the backdrop, people often overthink the simple things. Trust me, I can find a space that will suit you, your family, and your photos perfectly.
When should you schedule your newborn session? I usually recommend scheduling your newborn session within the first 1 to 2 weeks after your baby is born. The earlier, the better! Those little facial features change quickly, and babies are usually easier to get to sleep during the early days. It’s also a lot easier to pose them when they’re younger. If you’re not feeling up to it that early, that’s totally okay. We can still do newborn photos after that time; just know they might be more awake during the session. Whenever you decide is best for you and your family to get newborn photos, just know I’m always down to snuggle your sweet baby.
How much time should you set aside? When planning for a newborn session, it’s usually best to set aside a bit more time than you would for a regular family session. I typically recommend at least 2 hours. Sometimes the session doesn’t last that long, but it’s better to have extra time than to feel rushed. This allows for breaks to feed the baby, change them, or just take a little rest.
When you choose me as your newborn photographer, you’ll find that I focus on a “lifestyle” and “natural” type of posing. While some photographers like to place babies in buckets or unnatural poses, that’s not my style. I specialize in more natural posing, like laying in their crib or being held by mom and dad. I also bring a newborn posing bean bag for some individual pictures of the baby, usually just laying on their side sleeping. There’s something truly special about being authentic in these photos, and the simplicity they bring is absolutely stunning. My goal is to highlight your newborn and all of their tiny features during the session.
What should you have ready? Start by figuring out Mom’s outfit. Something comfortable like a pair of leggings and a sweater or a cute lounge set would work well! It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Next, decide on the baby’s outfit for the photos with mom and dad. I also suggest having another outfit for individual photos of the baby, and a swaddle that you like. When planning outfits, it’s always better to coordinate colors rather than completely match. Having a backup outfit for the baby is also recommended. Unexpected things like spit-up or blowouts can happen, and you’ll want to have an outfit you like ready as a backup.
Here are some tips that will help ease any nerves you may have and make this session smooth.
Before the session, try to keep your sweet baby awake for about 30 minutes. This will help us get them to sleep when I arrive, making it easier to capture those adorable sleepy photos.
If we’re doing the session at your house, feed the baby right before I arrive. It’s totally fine if you’re still feeding when I get there. I’ll use that time to set up my equipment and adjust my camera based on the lighting in your home.
If we’re shooting at a studio, try to feed the baby right before you leave the house or arrive a bit early to feed them before the session starts. This way, we can make the most of our studio time.
For older siblings, pack snacks and give them one before I arrive. Be mindful of brightly colored foods and drinks to avoid any accidents. Having their favorite movie or show playing can keep them entertained while we capture individual photos of the newborn and shots with both mom and dad.
Remember to keep the room a little warmer to help the baby sleep comfortably. We want to keep your baby warm and happy throughout the session.
Most importantly, be patient. We’re on the baby’s schedule during the session, and I understand that children don’t always follow a set routine. Be patient with older siblings too, as they’re adjusting to the new addition and learning to be big siblings. If you have older kids, they can be a big help, so don’t forget to thank them after the session for all of their help as well.
If you decide to do a studio session, please make sure to arrive on time. We need to stick to our scheduled time slot, so it’s important to be punctual. To make the process smoother, have everything you need packed and ready to go a few hours before. This way, when it’s time to leave, you can simply grab your diaper bag and any other essentials and head out the door.
I hope this blog has helped you understand how my newborn sessions work and gives you insight into how I will be photographing your sweet baby. They say the days are long but the years are short, so remember to cherish this time while you have it. Be present in the moment and don’t take it for granted. Your sweet babies will grow right before your eyes, and before you know it, 18 years will have passed in the blink of an eye. My biggest priority is to capture a moment in time so that when you look back at these baby pictures, they’ll bring you right back to this special session. May you remember just how tiny they were in your arms, that newborn smell, that sweet little cry, and most importantly, the love you felt when you first brought them into this world.
Interested in having me as your photographer?
