What to Know Before Your Newborn Session

What to Know Before Your Newborn Session

Welcoming a new baby is such a beautiful and emotional time and my goal with every newborn session is to document it in the most natural, relaxed way possible. Here’s a little guide to help you know what to expect and how to prepare.

1. Go About Your Day as Usual

There’s no need to change your routine just because I’m coming over. Feed baby when you normally would, or whenever they need it, there’s absolutely no rush. We follow their lead completely, with the goal of keeping baby happy and cozy throughout.

2. Light Is Everything

We’ll stick close to windows to make the most of the natural light. Think about which rooms in your home get the best light and have the biggest windows - that’s likely where we’ll be hanging out. The background truly doesn’t matter; even a small cleared space is perfect. I’m more than happy to help shift things around if needed!

3. What Baby Will Wear (or Not Wear!)

We usually begin the session with baby in your outfit of choice. From there, we’ll do some diaper-only shots to capture all those fresh, wrinkly details, the ones you’ll want to remember forever.

Loose swaddles are great too - I recommend setting aside one or two of your favorite muslin wraps for us to use.

4. A Relaxed Pace

Newborn sessions typically last about 60–90 minutes. That gives us plenty of time for feedings, cuddles, diaper changes, and breaks. There no need to feel rushed.

5. What You Should Wear

Neutral tones and soft textures photograph beautifully, knit pieces are always a great choice. I suggest no busy patterns or robust colors. If you’re not sure what to wear, feel free to text me a few options beforehand - I’m always happy to help you decide!

6. If There’s an Older Sibling

When older siblings are part of the session, my approach is always less is more.

I never want them to feel pressured to “perform” or get in front of the camera before they’re ready. In fact, I find that the second we stop asking, they usually want to jump in on their own - and those are always the best moments.

To start building a little trust, I’ll often let them press a few buttons on my camera and show me some of their special toys. It’s such a simple way to connect, and it helps them feel involved and important from the start.

The goal is never perfection, it’s capturing real, meaningful connection. If your little one (now not so little!) is running wild or is being shy, that’s totally okay. We’ll work with their energy, not against it.

Still have questions? Just reach out! My goal is to make this an easy, relaxed, and meaningful experience for your family.