Studio Newborn Session Prep Guide

My goal is for your family to have a calm, relaxing, enjoyable experience during your newborn session. I take care of everything, so that you can just show up with your baby and leave your worries at home.

  • Dress baby in a loose-fitting sleeper or zip-up jammies. Avoid tight fitting socks, hats, etc. (they can leave marks on the skin that will require extra editing.

  • No need to bring any special outfits for baby; I provide all clothing and accessories for the session. (If you do have something special in mind that you want baby to wear, feel free to bring it along!)

  • Try to keep baby awake for awhile before the session. Plan on feeding right before or immediately upon arrival. Full belly = sleepy baby magic!

Before your session

  • All props, outfits, wraps, headbands, hats, etc.

  • Baby wipes and burp rags are available if needed.

  • Water, coffee, and tea are available upon request. I try to have snacks in the studio as well.

  • Toys are available for siblings, as the length of the session can be challenging for them.

  • A bathroom is available, so please don’t hesitate to ask! During your session, my home is your home.

What I provide

  • Soft neutrals photograph beautifully. Textures also look nice.

  • Comfort is key. If you’re not comfortable, it will show in the photos.

  • Avoid: neon colors, busy graphics, harsh logos

  • Don’t stress about being perfectly matched. Coordinating colors + connection = beautiful images.

What to wear (family/sibling photos)

  • The essentials: diapers, wipes, extra milk.

  • A pacifier. Even if baby doesn’t normally take one, this can be a tremendous help in soothing baby into those precious newborn poses.

  • Optional sentimental item(s) to include in photos.

  • A snack and some water. Newborn sessions can take up to several hours, and you may get hungry!

What to bring

  • Sessions are calm and unhurried. They typically last 2-3+ hours. Much of that time is spent soothing, feeding, and settling.

  • We will start with family photos first. Dad and siblings are welcome to leave after this portion, but are of course welcome to stay the entire time.

  • I will have multiple setups for baby, but we may not make it through all of them. I usually start with wrapped poses first and move onto more challenging, unwrapped poses as long as baby tolerates it.

  • Some babies sleep deeply, others need extra soothing. All of this is normal. Try not to worry during your session—baby will pick up on your stress and it can make the session more challenging.

  • Safety always comes first. If baby seems uncomfortable, I will not force a pose. If baby is inconsolable, I may suggest a reschedule.

What to expect during your session

You do not need to have it all together for your newborn session. Come tired. Come emotional. Come in leggings and dry shampoo.

Your only job is loving your baby. I’ll take care of the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Some babies sleep through their session, others are wide awake the whole time. Both are totally normal! We can still create beautiful images while baby is awake, though some poses may be limited.

  • I limit newborn sessions to one per day, so that we will have plenty of time. I know the stresses of having a new baby (and let’s be honest, sometimes I’m running late just because that’s me!) so if you happen to be running behind schedule, just send me a quick message so that I know.

  • I typically edit newborn skin to give a natural but polished portrait look (particularly for studio sessions). If you have a particular question about how I plan to edit your photos, please let me know before or during your session. I’m always happy to answer your questions!

  • As a three-time c-section mama myself, I know exactly what you’re going through. If there is anything I can do to help make it easier for you, please let me know. I’m happy to help carry baby to and from the car, or whatever else you need.

  • Absolutely! You are welcome to feed your baby in the studio, covered or uncovered. Whatever you are comfortable with is okay with me.

  • Within 24 hours of your session, I will provide a couple of sneak peeks for you to view. These will be fully retouched photos from your gallery. Usually within a week, you will receive an online proofing gallery of all your images, so that you can select your favorites for final retouching.