Newborn Baby Photography Sessions

I have had lots of newborn sessions over the last year. Much more than previous years. They have been amazing. I loved every minute of it (I am a total sucker for newborn babies). It is a real privilege to be able to do it now, for others.

It is such a busy time when a new baby arrives. It is hard to get the time to record them when they are so small. So it is really worthwhile organising a session at home. As everybody is relaxed and it is easy to work around naps and feeds.

On the back of these sessions I have some top tips for a newborn session.

When is the best time to do a newborn shoot?

If you are looking for a newborn image when the baby is sleepy and curled up, I would advise to do it between 1-2 weeks. Particularly if you want to use some of the props that I have.

For older babies?

If you are not set on that type of image, it is fine to wait until they are a little older, up to 6-8 weeks. After 8 weeks they can be a little bit fussier, but on the flip side they can be responsive to interaction with their parents. That is why I would recommend looking at a lifestyle session when they are older. Using natural light, you can get some beautiful images that record this time. I will always take some studio like images, so you will get a mix.

Check out some of images from my lifestyle sessions below

What do I need?

You don’t need anything. Depending on what you want, I can bring some props and wraps to use during your session. All backdrops and blankets are neutral in colour and I find that they date well. Along with the candid shots with the parents, you will get some studio like ones too.

What do I need to do?

It is always best to have the baby fed and changed. With that in mind, try and feed your baby 2-3 hours before the session, so that they are due a feed just before the session, for example if your session is at 12 o’clock, you should aim to feed at 11.30, you will therefore need to time the morning feed for 8.30 . Try to keep the baby awake after this feed for as long as possible.

Extra little things

It is worth having a spare set of clothes at hand, in case there are any accidents. If you are looking for some bare skin photos, have the heating on and the house warm. Little babies can get very upset when they get cold (I don’t blame them!!). If your baby uses a soother, have that at hand too, to help settle them.

So to summarise, just fed, warm and ready to sleep. A soother and a change of clothes

How long is a session?

These sessions tend to be longer than a normal family session (approx 1.5-2 hours). This allows time for feeds etc. and to keep a relaxed mood for everyone involved. There is no pressure on anyone.

What should the baby wear?

Simple clothes work best, no fuss. These images look great when kept simple and some of the bare skin photos can be beautiful. It is best to dress the baby in something comfortable and fuss free. If you want to have images of your baby wrapped and some skin shots, I can bring a selection of wraps that you can choose from. I keep all my tones very neutral and I find that they date well as a result.

If you are interested in seeing my ongoing work, please check out my instagram and facebook page and my gallery here on my website