What to Expect During an In-Home Newborn Photo Session
My in-home newborn sessions leave room to capture a wide variety of images while following your baby’s pace. Here’s what you can expect, from booking your session to receiving your photo gallery.
When to book your newborn session
Your second trimester or early third trimester is a great time to book, that’s at around 26–28 weeks. If that window has passed or you’ve already had your baby, that’s totally fine too!
If you’d also like maternity photographs, I offer a discounted rate when you book maternity and newborn sessions together. Maternity sessions usually take place outdoors, and they’re a nice opportunity for us to meet before I come to your home.
How we schedule around your baby’s arrival
When you book, I’ll put your due date on my calendar as a placeholder. Once your baby arrives, we’ll choose a day for your session.
Lifestyle newborn photography allows for flexibility. I photograph babies anywhere from five days to eight weeks old, and beyond. The timing depends on what you’d like to capture and when you feel ready.
Around 7–14 days: A popular window for capturing those beautiful early, sleepy newborn days.
Around 5–8 weeks: Babies may be a little more alert and expressive. Eye contact and even the odd smile can happen. This option is nice if you’d like more time to recover and settle in at home.
Two months and older: We’ll capture your baby’s growing personality, interactions, and whatever little movements and expressions they’re showing us.
Every baby is different. We’ll work with the stage your baby is in when I visit.
Preparing your home: take cleaning off the list
Please don’t worry about cleaning before I get there!. I’ve had two babies, and I still remember the newborn stage. You have enough on your plate without adding cleaning to the list.
We’ll likely spend most of our time in a bedroom or living room, wherever we find the best natural light. If something in the background needs moving, I can make a quick adjustment while we’re there.
What to wear
Start with whatever makes you feel comfortable and like yourself.
If you’d like a little direction, choose colors that complement one another. Everyone doesn’t need to match. Soft neutrals, earthy tones, and muted colors work beautifully together and keep the attention on your family.
For your baby, a simple white onesie or white knotted gown is an ideal place to start. This lets their face, tiny hands, and little details take the focus.
From there, we can take some photographs in a diaper and swaddle. If you have a special outfit you’d like included, we can save that for the end. Two or three simple looks can give your gallery variety, with your baby’s comfort guiding any changes.
When I arrive
I usually plan sessions around 10:00 a.m. to make the most of the natural light. I’ll say hello to everyone and wash my hands thoroughly before we begin.
Then I’ll ask to take a quick look around to find the best light and choose where we’ll start.
Making room for the whole family
If your baby has siblings, I like to photograph them together early in the session. That way, they can head off to play if they’d like.
We’ll also make time for photographs of your family together, each parent with the baby, and your newborn on their own. Pets are welcome to join in, too.
I love capturing the details that matter to you. If there’s a meaningful blanket, family keepsake, or something you especially want to remember, please tell me so we can include it.
Your baby sets the pace
My approach is baby-led. I follow your newborn’s cues and photograph them in comfortable, natural positions, without special props or structured posing.
Your baby’s safety and comfort are more important than photo, and they will guide the session. If they’re happiest in your arms, that’s where we’ll spend the majority of our time. (Don’t worry, you can still get so many different images this way). If they need to eat, have a diaper change, or take a break, we pause.
Most sessions last about 60–90 minutes, but I recommend setting aside two hours. I’ll be as efficient as possible, but that extra time gives us room for feeding, changing, and settling without anyone feeling rushed.
Receiving your photographs
Within two weeks of your session, you’ll receive a link to your online gallery. Your gallery will include a minimum of 50 edited photos, each available in color and black and white.
You can download your digital images directly from the gallery. If you’d like prints or other photo products, you can order those through the same page.
Your gallery will remain available online for 6 months. Please download and save all the photographs you’d like to keep, and don’t forget to make a backup copy!
Let’s plan your newborn session
If you’d like me to photograph these early days with your family, please get in touch through the book now button below!