Welcoming a newborn into your family is a beautiful and fleeting moment, and capturing these early days with portraits ensures you’ll have timeless memories to cherish. If you’re expecting and considering a newborn portrait session, you may have some questions about how to prepare. Here’s everything you need to know about booking your newborn session, what to wear, how to prepare, and more.
What to Wear for Your Newborn Portrait Session
Choosing the right outfits for your newborn session is an important part of achieving a soft, timeless look in your photos. To make it easier for you, I provide a detailed guide on what to wear before your session, but here are a few key tips:
- Stick to Neutrals & Keep It Simple – Soft, neutral tones like whites, creams, grays, and pastels work beautifully in newborn portraits. Avoid bold patterns or logos that can distract from the moment.
- Coordinate, But Don’t Match – Think of colors and textures that complement each other rather than matching exactly. A mix of soft textures like knits, linen, or cotton creates a cohesive look without being overly uniform.
- Mom’s Outfit – I have a carefully curated client closet with a few dresses that are perfect for postpartum comfort and photographs beautifully. You can check out my client closet here: [Insert Link to Client Closet].
- For Baby – The focus should be on your little one, so I provide wraps, blankets, and simple outfits. If you have a sentimental outfit you’d like to include, we can incorporate it into the session.
When Should I Book My Newborn Session?
The best time to book your newborn session is during your second trimester. I use your due date as a placeholder in my calendar, ensuring that I can accommodate your session once your baby arrives. Since newborn sessions are best scheduled within the first 5-14 days after birth, we’ll finalize a date once your baby is here and ready for their first photoshoot.
How Do I Prepare for My Newborn Portrait Session?
To make the experience stress-free, I send a detailed prep guide ahead of your session. This guide covers everything you need to know, including:
- How to prepare your newborn – Keeping baby warm, feeding tips, and what to expect for a smooth session.
- What to bring – Extra diapers, pacifiers (if you use them), a change of clothes, and any sentimental items you want included in the session.
- Sibling Prep – If siblings are included in the session, I provide guidance on how to prepare them so we can capture sweet, natural moments.
What Happens if My Baby Won’t Settle?
Newborn sessions are baby-led, meaning we follow your baby’s cues. If your little one is unsettled, we’ll take our time—pausing for feedings, soothing, and trying various calming techniques. In rare cases where a baby is too unsettled, we will reschedule your session at the earliest possible time. I’ve never had a little one who wouldn’t settle, but my priority is ensuring you receive the best possible photos to capture this fleeting time.
Can Parents and Siblings Be in the Photos?
Absolutely! I always encourage parents and siblings to be part of the session. There is a portion of the session dedicated to capturing those heartfelt family and sibling moments. These photos are just as precious as the individual newborn portraits and create a well-rounded gallery of memories.
What Safety Measures Do I Follow?
Your baby’s safety is my top priority. With 11 years of experience, I take every precaution to ensure a safe and comfortable session.
- I have completed newborn safety posing courses and only use poses that I am fully comfortable with.
- I am always within arm’s reach of your baby and prioritize natural, secure posing.
- The studio is sanitized before each session, and all props, blankets, and wraps are cleaned and free from sharp edges or hazards.
If you’re wondering why professional newborn photography is worth the investment, check out my previous blog post: Why Hire a Professional Newborn Photographer. It dives into what goes into a newborn session from a photographer’s perspective that includes safety, experience and capturing your little one’s features that will become timeless art on your walls for years to come.
Curious what a newborn session would look like for your little one arriving? Each session is customized and curated for you with a color palette, blankets, bonnets and props of your choosing. Click here to book today!
