Preparing For A Newborn Session

 

Is there such a thing as? After all, newborns are unpredictable with needs changing daily. So, how do you prepare?

 

• Be Open-Minded
  Every baby is different, and flexibility is key. While it's helpful to know your top priorities, try to limit specific requests—some poses simply may not be possible if your baby is uncomfortable. I won’t force or repeat a pose if baby is upset. My goal is to keep the session calm and respectful of your little one’s limits.
• Trust the Process
  This guidance comes from years of experience and over 2,000 newborns. I continuously refine my approach to make each session smoother, more efficient, and enjoyable for everyone involved.
• Preparation is the most important part of your newborn session, and the outcome is often a reflection of what happens prior to arriving at the studio.
• Here to Help
  Everything I share is meant to support you—not overwhelm you. Newborn sessions involve a lot of gentle movement and handling, and my goal is to help make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible for both you and your baby.
• Sleepy at Home ≠ Sleepy Here
  I often hear, “My baby sleeps all the time at home!”—and that’s wonderful! But during a session, babies are swaddled, unswaddled, changed, and gently posed over 45–90 minutes. Even the calmest babies can get overstimulated, which is why preparing them for a sleepy stretch is key to a successful session.

 

CLOTHING:

I do not recommend bringing outfits for your newborn—most sessions are done with wraps or prop clothing designed for comfort and posing and fit. However, if you have a special item (like a coming home outfit or a gift), I’m happy to include one clothing option. If so, please arrive with baby already dressed in it to avoid unnecessary disturbance.

FRIENDS/FAMILY:

The studio is kept warm (around 78°) to help baby stay sleepy, so dress lightly and feel free to bring a cold drink.

Seating is limited, as most of the space is used for shooting. Currently, there is room for approximately three people to sit and observe.

Please keep children off props—while tempting, they aren’t designed to support extra weight and could pose a safety risk to your baby or someone else's.

Although I love pets, they are not allowed in the studio due to allergy concerns. Many babies (and some family members) I photograph have sensitivities, and I cannot risk compromising future sessions. Thank you for understanding.

 

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS:
 

I absolutely love capturing the special bond between your new baby and their family! To make the most of everyone’s energy and cooperation, if we are shooting the Baby + Family session, we will begin your session with family and sibling portraits.

Once we’ve finished this portion, I kindly ask that older siblings head out or make arrangements to leave the studio. This helps maintain the calm, quiet environment that is essential for soothing and safely posing your newborn.

That said, I completely understand that sometimes it’s not possible to have someone take siblings home after their photos. If they need to stay for the duration of the session, we have a small play area and sitting space available. However, please supervise them at all times and ensure they remain out of the shooting spaces.

Over the years, I’ve found that little ones—understandably curious—can unintentionally disrupt sets, equipment, or the peaceful flow needed for your baby’s portraits. For everyone’s safety and to preserve the relaxing atmosphere, your cooperation is truly appreciated.

Please plan to arrive dressed and ready for your family portraits.

 

STYLING: 

Neutral and earthy color clothing photographs best for newborn and family photos with our lifestyle/natural family posing area. Any neutral or soft color works great: white, grey, tan, cream, khaki, light blues and pinks/, etc. Mixing and matching with colors, textures and patterns within the same color scheme is more flattering versus matching wardrobe. If you have preplanned a matching color palette, no worries! Both will photograph nicely. 

Along these same lines, our family set is very simple and natural and less formal clothing is ideal. Think "at home casual".

To ensure your wardrobe remains complimentary to the set, I find it best to avoid bright or super dark colors as well as bold, distracting patterns. 

For my moms: over the years of styling and posing, I have found that hair with curl or slight wave photographs better than super straight hair. You will spend a lot of your time looking at and snuggling your precious newborn. Straight hair tends to fall in the face. 

Dads: again, casual is best!
 

POSING: 

Sibling posing is based on the age of the older sibling, for safety reasons. If you have a specific pose request, please let me know prior to your session. With toddlers, it is a good idea to plan to be incorporated into photos with big brother or sister, as it is very common that they do not want to sit on the set without Mom or Dad. 

While family photos are an addition to the newborn session, the majority of your proof gallery will be dedicated to baby. You can expect 30-35 proofs in your gallery, whether the gallery consists of baby only or baby + family. I am happy to include parents and siblings in your newborn session, but please remember the focus remains on baby. If you’re hoping for more extensive family portraits than what’s included, a separate mini session can be scheduled at a later date. 

Family photographs are extended to parents and siblings of baby. 

 

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PROPS:

Props and accessories are what make the newborn session fun and unique to you and your baby! Part of your all-inclusive session is a customized and styled session by me! Styling the session takes quite a bit of time and effort (it typically takes longer to properly style the session than it does to shoot it!) to make sure the session flows and is consistent, while making sure different types of poses and props are being used. While every opportunity is given for input into your session via our detailed questionnaire, please understand this takes place prior to the session, not during. I occasionally get requests to pick out props during the appointment. Restyling of sets, prop change requests, etc. create confusion and stress during the course of the appointment. 

If you wish to include any of your own items, this will be done in a way that is consistent with my simple and classic style. Please let me know if you will be bringing anything prior to the session. 

How Long Will the Session Take:

Your appointment covers up to one and a half hours of studio time. Some sessions are completed much sooner, some do take the entire time frame. 

What to expect from your session:

Each session is styled for a maximum of five different sets prior to arrival. While there is an alternative posing option available for each set, if baby is struggling with a particular one, it may be skipped. In the event this happens, do not worry, it will not compromise your gallery! You will have beautiful photos no matter how baby decides they are feeling during the session.

Within those five sets, you can expect to see 30-35 proofs in your photo gallery during your viewing appointment. The session will conclude at the end of the five sets, pending baby's cooperation within each setup. Extended sessions and/or additional set ups are not available for newborn sessions. 

 

Sets and styling are consistent with my brand and the sample photos you see on my online portfolio and social media accounts. Please keep in mind that while all photographers have a different style of newborn photography, different prop collection, different editing style, different lighting scenarios, I also have mine. What you will receive from you session is a look and style consistent with the photos you see advertised in my work. Hopefully when you booked your session, you loved what it was that I offered! 

 

With all sessions, it is imperative to start on time. 

As mentioned above, some newborns need the entire appointment time frame to complete the intended poses. The one-and-a-half-hour window will begin at the time you are scheduled to arrive. I have to honor my schedule to accommodate other appointments that are also planning around their newborn. Timeliness is extremely important and late arrivals do result in loss of session time. 

The studio door will open 15 minutes prior to your appointment time in the event that you are early. As we are not open to the public, but scheduled appointments only, the studio will not open prior to this time.  
 

 

How you can help baby have a wonderful session: 

• The most important thing you can do to prepare for your session is make sure baby has a very full tummy when we start. I realize the importance for getting and keeping baby on a feeding schedule and many moms are not comfortable adjusting a scheduled feeding for a photo session, however, I cannot stress how important this first tip is. I have seen sessions that were unnecessarily difficult for baby because they were not prepared and content.
• Please try to avoid feeding immediately prior to entering the studio. Many newborns have periods of wakefulness immediately following a feeding and while a full tummy is ideal, wakefulness can be just as counterproductive as fussiness. Yes, I realize these first two tips are somewhat contrary to each other! Typically, as long as you do not plan to feed outside before coming in, or feed in the studio before we begin, baby should be just fine! If you are traveling long distances for your session, the best and most successful plans I have seen is to feed immediately before walking out the door and most of the time the car ride will put baby to sleep, and they will arrive ready to go! Even if the start time encroaches on their next feeding. 
• Breast milk vs. formula- Statistically, formula fed babies do much better during their sessions. They get a fuller tummy, are content for longer periods of time and sleep a bit harder during the session. If you are breast feeding but occasionally supplementing with formula, you may want to consider using formula for the feeding immediately before your session. 
• When you arrive, please do not take baby out of their car seat. This makes the most seamless beginning to the session for baby. My methods for removing baby in a slow and easy manner help to set the tone for the session. 
• Do not worry if baby arrives with a dirty diaper. Changing a dirty diaper immediately before a session can awaken baby, make them irritable, and create a rather difficult beginning to your session.
• PLEASE dress baby in an outfit that buttons, zips or magnetized down the front, nothing that has to be pulled over overhead or pulled down the body. If you can avoid short sleeved options this is most ideal, as these are much harder and disruptive to remove. 
• A bath the morning of the session is another good idea. This can help soothe and calm baby and make them extra sleepy. Bonus points for lavender scented baby bath!
• Alert Newborns- If your newborn has proven to be an exceptionally alert baby, you may want to consider trying to keep them awake for two hours prior to the start of your session. If your child is not normally alert, I do not recommend this. 

• Please Bring a Pacifier- I understand this can be a sensitive topic, especially for breastfeeding families or those avoiding pacifiers early on. As a mother of three, I respect those concerns. However, during a session, babies are gently moved, posed, wrapped, and unwrapped—more than they are at home. Even the sleepiest newborns can become unsettled.

  A pacifier can make the difference in soothing them without interrupting the flow of the session or needing to skip a setup entirely. Some babies simply need that extra comfort, even briefly. Whether your baby regularly takes one or not, I kindly ask that you bring a pacifier just in case—it's often essential to keeping your session smooth and successful.

• Soothing fussiness- If you own either gas drops or gripe water, please consider bringing your own to the session. You would be surprised how many times these have been needed!  
• Expect to be potentially utilized during your session. I will usually attempt my own soothing techniques, as there are several that work best in position as opposed to picking the baby up. If my techniques do not work, you will then be asked to assist. You may also be asked to help spot, hold, or support baby during some of the poses. 
   
• And as always, your newborn's safety is my number one priority. Please note that I will never attempt a pose or prop that is not safe for the baby or safely supported. For this reason, I do only use items that are provided and previously tested by me. 
• You can expect to receive full service from your session. I will be handling, changing, soothing, feeding (unless nursing is required) and cleaning baby in the event of a potty accident. You will have a front row seat to watch and rest. You are welcome to bring a pillow and snack if you wish!
   

Please note that while all of these preparation tips are recommendations, they are all strongly encouraged. 

 

After your session:

 

• On the day of your session, we will schedule a time the following week for you to view your proof gallery and make your image selection. These appointments also take place during office hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am-1pm. You will be given the option to attend the viewing in person, or virtually. So that you can see your images clearly, I do recommend in person viewing if you do not have a device larger than a phone screen to view them. 
• As a reminder, newborn galleries typically contain between 30-35 images. 
• If you purchased the Baby only package, you will choose 20 images. If you chose Baby + Family, you will choose 25 images. Additional images will be available for purchase, if you wish. Add on digital images are $20 per image + tax. A 30% discount will be available if you choose to purchase your entire gallery.  
• A Facebook sneak peek of one photo from your session will be provided, if you wish! Please share these photos! I love shares! You may also use any photo that I have posted to Facebook as your profile photo, but please leave the logo visible. 

 

 

 

Now that you have all of this information....it is photo time!!! I do realize this is a lot of information, but my hope and goal is for everyone to have a wonderful experience. The success of the session, the quality of the photos you receive, and the overall experience is a combination of what happens before you arrive AND what takes place during the session. Neither one is successful without the other. I completely understand that not every day goes as planned and sometimes you are rushing out the door just to make it to an appointment.

In the event that nothing goes as planned on session day, the following have the MOST impact on your session: 

Please dress baby in an outfit that comes off easily-a button down or zip up gown 

Please feed baby immediately before leaving your home-regardless of how long your drive to the studio is

Please do not remove baby from their car seat when you arrive

PLEASE bring a pacifier

 

Do your very best to set you and baby up for a wonderful, happy day! I cannot wait to see you and meet your little ones. I do recommend sharing some of this information with whomever might be attending the session with you. I occasionally have helpful family members attempt to assist in removing or unstrapping baby from the car seat upon entering the studio.