You’ve booked your newborn photography session, and now the anticipation is building. But as the date approaches, you might be wondering: how do I actually prepare for this? What should I do? What should I bring? And most importantly, how can I make sure my baby cooperates?
Take a deep breath. I’ve photographed hundreds of newborns since 2010, and I promise you, preparation doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, there’s no really much you have to do. When you book a newborn session with me I walk you through and send you emails before the appointment so you can walk into your session feeling confident and relaxed.
Timing Your Session Right
The sweet spot for newborn photography is within the first two weeks after birth. During this window, babies are still naturally curly, sleepy, and easy to settle into those beautiful poses you see in newborn galleries.
That said, this is just a guideline and I know life doesn’t always go to plan. There are different reasons why you might need to postpone this window, from needing extra recovery time after a C-section to staying in hospital for unexpected reasons (hopefully not too serious). Sometimes I have parents who didn’t book in advance, and even though it’s highly recommended, I know how you see your baby growing daily under your eyes and realise that you do want to document this time. If you’ve missed this window, don’t worry. I’ve photographed older babies too, up to 10 weeks, and we can still create stunning images. The session might just require a bit more patience and flexibility, and expectations might be slightly different, with more awake images and fewer posed ones, but still precious in time.
Related article: What’s the Best Age to Photograph Babies?
The Day Before Your Session
I know there are photographers out there suggesting keeping baby awake for longer periods the day before or the morning of. Honestly, I don’t think it’s necessary. Babies are unsettled because they are hungry, tired, gassy, overstimulated, have a dirty nappy… so keeping them awake is not the only solution. We need to read the baby at the moment of discomfort. If mum is breastfeeding, what she eats affects baby’s digestion, and in my email I suggest mum avoiding certain foods before the session. I wrote an article about it, so check it out if interested: 15+ Food best to Avoid when Breastfeeding (And What to Eat Instead)
What you need to prepare the day before is the baby’s bag with the essentials and your outfit. Again, I have plenty of guidelines in my email (and our phone chat), but I suggest something comfortable that makes you feel good. Solid neutral colours work beautifully, while busy patterns or logos are best avoided as they distract from the focus: your beautiful new baby.
For more guidance on what to wear, check out my post Picture-Perfect Outfits: What to Wear for your Newborn Shoot
On the Day of Your Session
I know babies don’t have a routine yet. I suggest feeding the baby before coming to the studio, but with no pressure at all. If that doesn’t fit, you are welcome to feed the baby in the studio. Actually, sometimes I ask to feed in the studio. That will give us some time to chat and, if you would like, to capture the bonding of feeding too, which is a lovely memory to have.
Try to dress baby in loose clothing. Those adorable cute outfits? Leave them at home for today. Dress your baby in loose, stretchy clothing for the journey (the zip ones are perfect!). Tight elastic can leave marks on their delicate skin that take a while to fade, and we want that perfect baby skin in the photos.
Keep baby warm. Newborns lose heat quickly, so make sure they’re nice and cosy on the way to the studio. Bring an extra blanket for the car journey, especially during cooler months.
What to Expect When You Arrive
My studio is kept warm (around 22 to 27 degrees) to keep your baby comfortable and sleepy. It might feel a bit tropical for you, so wear layers you can easily remove.
I know it’s hard to get out of the door with a newborn, and this is probably one of the first trips out for you! So I prepare some croissants and biscuits with tea or coffee so you can have some breakfast if you didn’t manage to do it.
I’ll have soft music playing, white noise ready, and everything prepared to make both you and baby feel at ease. There’s no rush. If baby needs feeding, we feed. If they need changing, we change. If they need soothing, we soothe. This is their session, and we work entirely at their pace.
During the Session: Relax and Trust the Process
Here’s the most important thing I can tell you: there’s no such thing as a “bad” baby during a newborn session. Some babies sleep deeply the entire time. Others wake up frequently and need extra cuddles. Some are gassy. Some need multiple feeds. It’s all completely normal, and I’ve seen it all.
Your baby will sense your energy, so the more relaxed you are, the more relaxed they’ll be. Trust that I know how to work with newborns, even the fussiest ones. Some of my favorite images have come from sessions where baby seemed determined not to cooperate at first.
“From the moment we arrived Valentina was incredibly patient, gentle, and professional, making sure our baby was comfortable and safe the entire time. At no point we felt rushed – we could comfortably settle and feed our baby. Valentina was also great at settling our baby when she was about to cry during the shoot. The studio was warm, calm, and perfectly set up for newborns. The photos turned out stunning.” – D.N.
Other Considerations
If you have older children. Bringing siblings is wonderful, and I love capturing those early family bonds. However, I usually recommend photographing siblings at the beginning of the session when they’re fresh and cooperative. We can then let them play or relax while we focus on baby alone. In the studio I have colouring books, toys, and books they can use, or you can bring their favourite entertainment from home. When the weather is nice, they are welcome to step out in the garden for some fresh air or just to burst their energy! From time to time I ask them to return for family images too.
If you’re still recovering. It’s only been days or weeks since you gave birth. You might be tired, sore, or emotional. That’s completely okay. Let me know how you’re feeling, and we’ll adjust accordingly. If you need to sit for photos rather than stand, we’ll make it work beautifully. If you need breaks, we’ll take them.
This session is meant to celebrate this precious time, not add stress to it.
After Your Session
You’ve done it! Now you can relax knowing that these fleeting newborn days have been captured forever.
Within two weeks, you’ll receive a gallery of images to choose from. We can arrange a Zoom call to look at them together, or you can have three days to go through the gallery and make a decision. I know it’s hard to choose (they’re all adorable!), but that’s a good problem to have.
Making the Most of Your Investment
Newborn photography is an investment in memories you’ll treasure forever. It’s not just a shoot, it’s the beginning of their story. Those tiny fingers and toes, that newborn scrunch, the way they curl up so small, it all passes so quickly and they deserve to have a physical presence in the world. That’s why I focus on printed products, beautiful photo albums and matted prints that can be passed down through generations.
If you want to learn more about the entire process, from booking to receiving your final images, check out my Ultimate Guide to Booking Your Newborn Photographer in London and Richmond. It covers everything in depth, including choosing the right photographer for you, understanding different photography styles, and making the most of your session.
Preparing for your newborn session doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep baby comfortable and well-fed, dress them in loose clothing, bring a few essentials, and most importantly, come ready to relax and enjoy this special time.
I’ll take care of everything else. The props, the poses, the soothing, the patience, that’s all part of what I do. You just need to show up with your beautiful new baby, and together we’ll create images you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
If you have any questions about preparing for your session or want to book your newborn photography in London or Richmond, I’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch here, and let’s start planning your session.
