What to Expect at Your Newborn Session (and How to Prepare)

Bringing a newborn home is a lot. The last thing you need is to show up to your photo session stressed out and unprepared. This post walks you through exactly what to expect and how to set your session up for success, so you can just relax and enjoy it.

When to book

The sweet spot for newborn photos is within the first two weeks of life. Babies are sleepier, more curled up, and generally easier to photograph in those early days. After two weeks they start to become more alert, which is lovely, but it does make the session a little less predictable.

Here's the thing though. Don't wait until after your baby arrives to reach out. Book your session while you're still pregnant and keep in communication with your photographer as your due date approaches. Once baby arrives, you'll send a quick update and we'll lock in the timing from there. It takes the pressure completely off those first hazy days at home.

Warming up the room

Before I arrive, get the room warm, ideally around 75 degrees. This might feel a little toasty for you, but it's perfect for a newborn. Warm babies are sleepy babies, and sleepy babies make for the best photos. If you can, have the heat running for at least 30 minutes before the session so the room is fully at temperature when we start.

Swaddles

Have a few extra swaddles on hand. If you have options, go for a cloth material rather than a stretchy fabric. Cloth wraps hold their shape better and give a cleaner look in photos. I'll bring some of my own as well, but having yours available gives us more to work with.

Feeding before the session

You don't need to time a full meal perfectly, but try to feed your baby 10 to 15 minutes before we start shooting. A baby who isn't hungry is a baby who's ready to settle in and sleep. If the timing doesn't line up perfectly, don't stress. We'll work around it. There's always flexibility built into the session.

What the session actually looks like

Newborn sessions are slow and unhurried by design. We're working around your baby's pace, not the other way around. If they need to eat again, we stop. If they need a few extra minutes to settle, we wait. There's no rushing. I'll move through different setups gradually, keeping everything calm and gentle throughout.

Sessions take place in your home, where your baby is most comfortable. You don't need to clean or stage anything. Just have the room warm and ready.

What happens after

Once the session is done, I'll edit your full gallery and deliver it within two weeks. You'll receive a proof gallery of fully edited images and choose your favorites from there.

Ready to book?

If you're expecting, the best time to reach out is now. We'll get everything lined up in advance so that when your baby arrives, photos are one less thing to think about.