What to Expect at Your Newborn Photo Session
If you’re reading this, your newborn session is just around the corner and chances are you’re running on little sleep, lots of love, and a bit of uncertainty about how tomorrow will go.
Take a deep breath. You don’t need to prepare a perfect home, a perfectly sleepy baby, or a perfectly calm version of yourself. My job is to meet you exactly where you are.
Here’s what you can expect from your newborn session.
This Is Not a Posed Studio Session
My approach to newborn photography is documentary in nature. That means I’m not coming in with props, wraps, or a shot list that requires your baby to sleep on cue.
Instead, I photograph what unfolds naturally:
Feeding, soothing, and holding your baby
Quiet moments, messy moments, and everything in between
The way your home looks right now, because this is part of your story
There is no “wrong” way for the session to go.
Your Baby Leads the Pace
Newborns run the show… and that’s expected.
We can take breaks as needed for feeding, diaper changes, snuggling and settling, but I also love documenting those moments too.
If your baby is wide awake the entire time, that’s completely okay. If they sleep, great. If they cry, we pause, but I also might get some photos along the way because those little baby faces don’t last. Nothing is rushed.
Some of the most meaningful images come from these in-between moments.
What You Don’t Need to Do
You do not need to:
Deep clean your house
Stress about clutter
Keep your baby awake
Apologize for how things look
I work with natural light and real spaces. If needed I’ll gently guide us toward the best light, and I’m always happy to move a small item if necessary, but your home does not need to look like a magazine.
Lived-in is good. Lived-in is honest.
What to Wear (Simple Is Best)
Neutral, comfortable clothing photographs beautifully and keeps the focus on connection.
A few general guidelines:
Avoid large logos or bold patterns
Bare feet are always welcome
For babies, bare skin to see cute baby rolls, simple onesies, sleepers, or swaddles work perfectly. No need for special outfits unless they’re meaningful to you.
How Long the Session Lasts
Most newborn sessions last around 2 hours, but I always allow flexibility. We move at a pace that feels calm and unhurried.
There’s nowhere you need to be and nothing you need to perform.
What I’m Looking For
I’m watching for:
The way you naturally hold your baby
The quiet exchanges between parents
Tiny details that change faster than you realize
You don’t need to look at the camera. You don’t need to know what to do. Just be with your baby.
Tomorrow Is About Presence, Not Perfection
This season is fleeting and intense and tender all at once. My goal is not to create perfect images, it’s to preserve how this moment felt.
So tonight, focus on resting if you can. Tomorrow, focus on your baby. I’ll take care of the rest.
I’m looking forward to documenting this chapter for you.
Newborn Session at Home and Pet Goats too! - Duvall, Wa
Newborn sessions at home really allow you to just relax and stay in your cozy newborn nest. I love when bigger siblings get to be there too and get to be themselves during your session! They are still getting to know their new sibling as well. We always just go with the flow during your session. Nursing, baby bath, more nursing, playing, cuddles, a trip outside to say hi to the goats… whatever you feel up for doing at home, like you would any other day, we do. And while 90-95% of your session is unscripted, and true documentary, I also always do a quick and painless family portrait for posterity as well.
LOOKING FOR A NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER?
Baby Elliott - Fresh Newborn Session at Home - Shoreline, Wa
A quick sneak peek from Elliott’s in-home fresh newborn session! What’s a fresh newborn session? Sometimes even with the best laid plans a Fresh 48 Session turns into a home Newborn Session that we schedule as soon as everyone is home and feeling good. I am pretty flexible when it comes to the unexpected and work with you when plans change. The bonus was, as a result, we got some cute photos of their pup with baby as well!
Welcome baby Elliott!!
Summer's End - Seattle Documentary Newborn Session
So newborn session myth #1: Newborn sessions have to be scheduled within the first 2 weeks after birth.
NOPE!
Guess what? You can schedule them whenever you want or whenever works for your family.
Because I had taken their birth photos too, this family wanted to wait a little for their newborn photos. And that totally works!
While many people want to schedule newborn photos within the first two weeks at home, in reality there’s nothing wrong with waiting a few more weeks. If you think you missed your window because you didn’t schedule something sooner, I’m here to tell you, don’t stress about it. Just take the photos. Babies don’t last.
This family became so special to me. Not only was I their birth doula & photographer, but I had also taken (documentary) maternity photos for them as well. It was so fun to watch their family grow in front of my eyes and camera. As summer crept to a close it was fun how I had spent that entire season of the year and life with them.
LOOKING FOR A NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER?
How to prepare for a documentary newborn session
A documentary newborn session is different from a traditional newborn photoshoot, as it aims to capture truly candid and natural moments of your newborn's first few weeks of life. Here are some general tips to help you prepare for a documentary newborn session:
Find a photographer: Look for a photographer who specializes in documentary newborn photography, not lifestyle or studio photography. Check out their portfolio to ensure their style aligns with what you are looking for. - Congrats you already found me!
Schedule the session: As with traditional newborn sessions, it's best to schedule your documentary newborn session during your pregnancy to ensure availability. However, with a documentary session, the photographer will work around your baby's schedule, so there is more flexibility. - When you book during your pregnancy I use your week 41 date just as a placeholder on my calendar that almost certainly will be shifted once baby arrives. You can still book a newborn session after baby is born though!
Plan the session: Discuss with your photographer what you want to capture during the session. Make a list of important moments, such as feedings, diaper changes, and snuggles with family members. Decide if you want the session to take place in your home or another location. - I will send you a short questionnaire after booking that will ask you what important parts of newborn life you’re hoping to have documented.
Prepare your home (sorta): If you're having the session in your home, prepare the space by lightly decluttering and ensuring there is enough natural light. Your photographer will likely want to use areas with the most natural light. - I also invite you to just leave the mess! Or task your partner or a helpful family member to prep your space for you! You have a newborn and this is all about real life! Embrace it!
Keep your baby comfortable: Dress your baby in comfortable clothing and keep the room/home warm to ensure they are comfortable throughout the session. - Babies really are on their own schedule. Feeding, sleeping… it’s all going to happen while I’m there. No need to stress about those details ahead of time. Just listen to baby’s cues during your session as you would without me there.
Embrace spontaneity: The essence of a documentary session lies in capturing genuine moments. Relax and be yourself, engaging with your baby and loved ones naturally. Allow your photographer to seize these fleeting yet precious instances. - The joy of documentary means you don’t have to worry about smiling at the camera. Just enjoy your baby and leave the rest to me! If an older kiddo wants to go outside and play while I’m there, lets do it! It’s all about going with the flow and trusting the process.
If your heart is saying this sounds like the perfect newborn session for you, let’s make it happen!