Welcoming a newborn into the world is a momentous occasion, and many parents want to preserve those fleeting early days with professional newborn photography. If you’re considering booking a newborn photography session, you might be wondering what to expect during the shoot. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about newborn photography sessions, from preparation to what happens during the shoot and beyond.

1. When Should You Schedule Your Newborn Photography Session?

Timing is everything when it comes to newborn photography. To capture those sleepy, curly moments, it’s best to schedule your session within the first 7–18 days of your baby’s life. During this window, newborns tend to sleep more soundly and can be posed easily. Many photographers recommend booking your session as early as possible during your pregnancy to secure a spot.

Tip: Try to book your session before your baby arrives by paying a small holding deposit, and I can schedule a tentative date that is very flexible. Once your baby is born, we can confirm the date and time.

2. What Should You Bring to Your Newborn Photography Session?

To ensure your session goes smoothly, there are a few things you should bring with you:

• Baby essentials: Diapers, wipes, extra clothes for both baby and parents, and any feeding supplies.
• Props: While most photographers provide props, some parents like to bring personal items like a favorite blanket or a special family heirloom.
• Comfort items: A pacifier or any items that help soothe your baby can be helpful during the session.
• Outfits for parents: If you’re planning to be included in the photos, opt for neutral or solid-colored clothing to keep the focus on your baby. Avoid busy patterns and conflicting colours.

3. What Happens During the Newborn Photography Session?

Newborn photography sessions typically last between 2 and 4 hours. This longer time frame allows for breaks to feed, change, and soothe your baby. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

Poses and Comfort

• Natural poses: Expect to see your baby in a variety of natural poses that highlight their tiny features—such as hands tucked under their chin or curled up in a fetal position.
• Wrapped poses: I use soft wraps to gently swaddle your baby, helping them feel cozy and secure during the session.
• Parent and sibling shots: If you’ve opted for family portraits, there will be time for you to join in with your baby for some intimate, memorable moments.
• Safety and comfort: I will take every precaution to ensure the baby’s safety, which is paramount. Nothing is more important than their safety and comfort. Newborns are positioned carefully, and being a professional photographer means I have been professionally trained and are skilled in handling infants with https://www.apnpiacademy.com

Setting Up the Session

• Studio setup: Expect a calm and relaxed atmosphere. The studio will typically be kept warm to keep your baby comfortable and sleepy. The temperature is constantly monitored to ensure safety.
• Lighting: Soft artificial lighting is used (flash photography) The light will be diffused to create a soft, dreamy look.

4. How Long Will the Session Take?

Newborn photography sessions usually last between 2 and 4 hours, depending on how cooperative the baby is and how many setups or poses are planned. Be prepared for breaks to feed or comfort your baby as needed. Newborn sessions are not rushed; they’re designed to capture the essence of your baby in a stress-free environment.

5. Editing and Delivery of Photos

After your session, I will begin the process of selecting and editing the best images. Newborn photography typically involves careful editing to enhance colors, skin tones, and to remove any minor temporary blemishes. The final edited photos will be delivered to you either digitally through a secure online gallery.

Tip: Editing can take a few weeks, so be patient although I do offer sneak peaks if social media has been approved.

6. Safety Considerations During the Session

I will prioritise your baby’s safety during the entire session. Newborns are handled gently, and all poses are carefully chosen to avoid any strain on the baby. It’s important to know I have extensive experience working with newborns, and know how to keep the baby safe while achieving the desired shots.

I also follows strict safety guidelines, such as never leaving a baby unattended or attempting poses that might be unsafe.

7. Tips for a Smooth Newborn Photography Session

• Be flexible: Babies are unpredictable, and the session may not go exactly as planned. Be prepared to go with the flow, whether that means extra time for feedings or soothing your baby. There is no rush.
• Feeding time: Make sure your baby is fed and comfortable before the session begins. A well-fed baby is often a more relaxed baby.
• Stay relaxed: Your baby will pick up on your energy, so staying calm and patient will help them feel more at ease during the session.

A newborn photography session is a wonderful way to capture the beauty and innocence of your baby in those early days. From the first few days of life to the tender moments shared with family, professional newborn photos will become cherished memories for years to come. By knowing what to expect—timing, what to bring, how long the session will take, and more—you can feel confident and relaxed throughout the process. Get ready to enjoy this precious time in your baby’s life.

With Christmas 2024 Mini Session’s drawing to a close, it has been so lovely to see so many wonderful families this year.

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The best time to have a newborn photoshoot is typically from day 5-15 of your baby’s life.

This period is ideal for several reasons:

1. Sleepiness: Newborns tend to sleep a lot during the first two weeks, making it easier to capture those peaceful, curled-up poses that many parents love in photos.
2. Flexibility for Poses: Babies are still very flexible in their first two weeks, so it’s easier to position them into those classic, adorable poses, such as their little hands tucked under their chins or curled up in a fetal position.
3. Less Disruption: Newborns during this period usually don’t yet have a strong startle reflex, which makes handling and posing them a bit easier.
4. Skin Appearance: Newborns typically still have soft, smooth skin in the first few weeks, so you’ll avoid some of the baby acne or flaky skin that can develop as they get older.

What if you can’t have your baby photographed in this time frame?

If for any reason you miss this window, don’t worry! Newborn photoshoots can still be done at any age, but the posing options might be different. Older babies (around 3-6 months) can also be photographed, especially if you’re looking for images that capture more interaction, like smiles or the baby holding their head up. Having a newborn photoshoot at 3 months offers a lot of unique advantages compared to the traditional newborn session within the first two weeks. At this age, your baby is typically more interactive and alert, which can result in some beautiful, expressive images. 

At 3 -6 months, babies are becoming more social and are beginning to smile and react to faces. You can capture those precious, wide-eyed moments or sweet baby grins, making the photos feel more engaging and lively.

Ultimately, the best time depends on what kind of photos you’re hoping to capture as to when you decide to have them done. You can also join our Baby Club to get exclusive access to deals and discounts for both Newborn, Milestone Sessions and beyond so you don’t need to choose.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! It is such a wonderful time but can also be super overwhelming. So here is a list of things to start you off and gain some control over those racing thoughts. Starting from the early days all the way up to the end of your pregnancy

The Early days of pregnancy

It will feel like there is so much to think about but you can take your time. You don’t need to rush

First things first, schedule Your Prenatal Care: Nowa days, most GP practises let you self refer online from a positive pregnancy test. All local hospitals that cover the Surrey area (Ashford & St Peters, Royal Surrey and Frimley) allow self referrals from 6 weeks here.

Doing this will kick start your regular check-ups and reminders with a healthcare provider to monitor your health and your baby’s development along the way.

Healthy Diet: Being pregnant is exhausting. Your baby takes everything it needs and leaves the rest for you so it will help you both to focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. When you’re pregnant, Stay hydrated and consider prenatal vitamins such as folic acid (always confirm with your midwife or GP first). It may be obvious but you need to avoid harmful substances. Yes, unfortunately no alcohol for the foreseeable but – no hangovers is a bonus!

Educate Yourself: I say this lightly as you don’t need to know everything – you never will! You will absolutely have many others tell you their experiences whether you wanted to hear them or not. So make your experience your own, listen to your body and what works for you. Read books, attend classes, and gather information about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to stay informed and explore your options 

Track Symptoms: Keep a journal of any symptoms you experience, such as nausea or mood swings. There are some great apps for this and it’s lovely to see your baby’s progress each week as they grow inside you. Emma’s Diary have a great app to do just this. This can also help you discuss your experiences with your healthcare provider and manage stress levels.

Half way point

Plan for Baby: Start thinking about baby names, nursery arrangements, and essential items you’ll need (have a read of my baby essentials list here!) Have a think about what type of birth experience you want and begin to research. For finances, a spreadsheet is always a good idea to get organised. Look up items you want to buy and record them in this to help you budget.

Prepare for Feeding: However you choose to feed, research each method to decide what’s best for you. Consider taking a class or reading up on breastfeeding techniques and resources. If you plan to formula feed or combi-feed, look up different brands of formula, bottles and sterilisers as you will need all this ready to go before baby comes.

Join a Parenting Class: Look for classes that cover newborn care, breastfeeding, or parenting skills to help you feel more prepared. NCT are a great provider of in person antenatal courses that match you with expectant parents in your area. They will be your lifeline at 2am to chat to when you’re all awake feeding at the same time.

Book in your photoshoot: Of course! Once you have had your 20 week scan, you can book in your maternity and newborn photoshoots. Maternity is best done 28-32 weeks (dependant on size of bump) and newborn within the first few weeks of their life. So secure them in the diary here

Nesting: Washing baby clothes and bedding, batch cooking, packing hospital bags, cleaning, building Moses baskets/swings. Basically, making your home look like you’re about to have another person living in it!