The most common thing parents say after a newborn session is some version of “that was so much easier than we expected.” That’s by design. A newborn session isn’t a performance — it’s a slow, warm morning where the only job is to follow your baby’s lead. Still, a little preparation goes a long way, so here is everything worth knowing before you arrive.
When to book — and when to come in
The sweet spot for the classic sleepy, curled-up newborn photographs is between five and fourteen days new. Babies this young still sleep deeply and fold naturally into those tiny, tucked positions. That said, there is no hard cut-off — older newborns simply give us a slightly different, more awake session, and those bright little eyes are lovely in their own right.
Because due dates are a suggestion at best, sessions are pencilled in around your due date and confirmed once baby arrives. Just send a message in those first day or two home, and we’ll fix the date together — there is always space held for newborns.
On the morning of the session
- Try to keep baby awake for a little while before you leave home — a bath often helps — so they arrive ready for a good sleep.
- A full tummy makes for a sleepy baby. If you can, time a feed for just before the session or plan to feed on arrival; there’s a comfortable spot in the studio either way.
- Dress baby in something loose that opens at the front, so we don’t have to pull anything over their head.
- Pack as if you were leaving the house for the morning anyway: nappies, wipes, a spare dummy if you use one, and a small extra feed just in case.
What should we wear?
Soft, simple and comfortable wins every time. Plain tops in cream, white, sage or earthy neutrals photograph beautifully and keep all the attention on the baby. Avoid bold logos and busy patterns if you can. And please don’t worry about looking “camera ready” — most family frames are about the way you hold your baby, not the way you did your hair.
During the session
Expect the session to take two to three hours, and expect at least one feed, one nappy change and one unplanned break in the middle of it — all completely normal, all built into the timing. The studio is kept warm for baby (dress in layers yourself), and everything baby touches is clean, soft and safe. Posing is always gentle: nothing is ever forced, and any position baby doesn’t settle into, we simply skip.
The only real job you have is to arrive. Everything else — props, wraps, layers, patience — is already here.
Afterwards
Your gallery of fully edited photographs is ready within two weeks — usually sooner. You’ll receive a private online gallery to view, share and download, with prints and albums available if you’d like the best frames on a wall rather than a screen.
If you have any worries at all before the day — about timings, feeding, siblings, anything — just ask. There are no silly questions when you’ve been a parent for nine days.