Are you an expecting parent? Congratulations! You’re about to embark on a wonderful and wild ride once your brand new bundle of joy is welcomed into the world. With so many items on your to-do list, it can often be overwhelming when you’re trying to prioritize a laundry list of different things—get the nursery ready, create your birth plan, buy #allthethings, and have newborn photos taken.
I understand if you’re wondering whether newborn photography is worth the time and financial investment, but it can be one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate your new arrival. With different session types to choose from, you can create an experience you’re not only comfortable with, but becomes one of your favorite early memories with your little family.
Why Newborn Photos Are Important
No matter if you’re preparing to welcome your first baby or your second (or third, fourth, and so on!), your early days together are pure magic. Each moment together is a new discovery, a new bonding experience, and your love only continues to grow.
But the early days are also filled with bleary eyes, naps, adjustments to your schedule, and time spent figuring out your new normal. With so much on your plate, it’s easy to miss or forget the little things that make this time so special—and trust me, you’ll want to remember them forever.
By investing in newborn photography, you’ll have tangible keepsakes to look back on when your kids are grown to reflect on the life you’ve built and the family you’ve raised. It’s amazing! And you deserve to have those feel-good moments captured on camera.
What To Expect During Your Session
As a natural light, lifestyle photographer, I’m all about capturing you and your family in your natural state. What does that mean? Basically, it means no flash on my camera and no posing. I’ll prompt you and give gentle guidance throughout your session so you feel confident and we get all of your best angles, but at no time will I be moving you into a specific pose. That way, you’re able to do what you feel comfortable with and interact with your baby however you’d like to.
One of my recent newborn photography clients recently told me that the photos from her session “feel like coming home” when she looks at them (which was incredible to hear!), and that’s what I strive for with every session.
When you work with me, I can guarantee that your session will feel relaxed and will follow your baby’s lead. This is an unpredictable time for your little one, so I’ll take my cues from baby and make sure that I’m respecting your needs as a family first. Flexibility is so important at this time, so I mentally add a 30-minute buffer to your session to account for any delays or breaks needed. It’s truly an experience designed to be chill and document all of the snuggles and cuddles we possibly can!
Which Type of Session Should You Choose?
The type of session you choose should depend on how you want to interact with your baby during your photos. I offer Fresh 48 (in hospital or birth center) or in-home photography sessions, so the timeframe does make a difference!
When choosing when you’d like to schedule your session, just know that there’s no right or wrong time for newborn photography. Every timeframe will be incredibly unique to your family and will capture beautiful moments of your new life together. Here’s how I usually break it down:
Fresh 48
These photos are taken within the first 48 hours after welcoming your baby Earthside. They’re done in the birthing space, so wherever you chose to have your baby is where I’ll meet you! I always keep in mind that new parents are exhausted and your baby is brand new to the world, so I take this session as it comes and adjust to meet your needs. These photos are usually filled with emotion, beautiful, and simple, which I think are some of my favorite photos to take.
1-2 Weeks Post-Birth
Your baby is still so new, sleepy, and adorably squishy, but you’ve had some time to get them in your space. Photos taken during this time will be a mixture of you tending to your baby, cuddling, and solo shots of your little one. Of course, if you have other children and pets, they’re always welcome too!
2-8 Weeks Post-Birth
At this point, your baby is alert for longer periods of time and usually interacts with family a bit more than the really early days. We may capture a smile or laugh, we’ll get more photos with their eyes open, and we might even capture some movement! While your photos will still be similar to 1-2 weeks post-birth, they may look a bit different depending on your baby’s development.
When Should You Book Newborn Photos?
Easy answer — when you’re ready! I’m all about flexibility when it comes to parenthood, so I always recommend doing what feels right to you when it feels right. However, if you’re looking for some specific guidance, the second trimester is a good time to get in contact with me! We can schedule maternity photos if you’d like to capture the entire experience of becoming a parent (I even have a maternity and newborn photo package!), and I can add you to my “baby watch” list.
Once you’re on the list, your due date and newborn photos are on my radar, but we’ll wait until your delivery to officially schedule your session. And don’t be afraid to share all the details you have! I’m game to chat about whether you think you’ll deliver early or late, whether you’re scheduling a C-section or going au naturale, and the timeframe in which you *think* you’d like your newborn photos to happen. I’m here for you!
What To Wear For Your Newborn Photography Session
Rather than focusing on the aesthetic of your outfit, I think it’s best to focus on comfort. Of course, we all want to look good and what makes you feel your best will be unique to you, but I find that photos turn out better when you’re able to stay present in each moment.
If you’re interested in help building your session wardrobe for both your family members and your baby, all you have to do is ask! I offer session styling and would be thrilled to help you curate a wardrobe that feels good (and looks good, too!). All you have to do is ask!
In Conclusion
Newborn photography is one of the most sentimental gifts that you can give to both yourself and your little bundle of joy—they’re moments you’ll never be able to recreate, and capturing them is incredibly special.
I love the real, raw emotion of documenting your baby’s first hours, days, or weeks as part of your family, and it’s an honor to be able to be part of something so close to your heart.
Are you ready to book? Here are your next steps!
- Read more about my newborn photography services.
- Reach out to me via the contact form on my website.
- Ask about my checklist detailing how to prep for your newborn photography session! I go through everything you need to know so you feel calm, confident, and oh-so-prepared.
