Your Guide to Stress-Free Newborn Photography Sessions

As a Newborn Photographer and a mum, I know first-hand how precious these moments are. Capturing those fleeting early days is so special, but it can also come with many questions and uncertainties. Trust me, you don’t want to regret not doing a newborn session if it’s over something as trivial as worrying about having a clean house or what you should wear.

To help new parents on the fence about investing in newborn photos, I’ve compiled some common questions and answers from my experiences to help you make your newborn session as stress-free as possible!

when should I book my newborn session?

Booking your newborn session within the first 7-10 days after their arrival is ideal for those sleepy, curly baby photos we all adore. When you book with me, we’ll tentatively scheduled your session for 10 days after your expected due date, and if your baby arrives early or late, we can move your session date.

But sometimes photographing your baby in the first 10 days doesn’t work out for a bunch or reasons, or perhaps you’d prefer to wait, and that’s understandable. We can capture newborn photos up to 3 months old, your photos will just have a different vibe – but still that newborn sweetness.

At around 3-4 weeks, babies tend to be ‘stretchy’, meaning they want to stretch their little limbs and wobble their head. And they can also be a little unsettled at this stage while they’re getting used to all this movement, and they’re likely to be windy, which means your session may take longer because we’re resettling more frequently. So, while it’s unlikely (but not impossible) we won’t capture those sleepy, curly newborn photos, we’ll still create some sweet newborn photos of your babe exactly as they are now.

By around 3 months, your baby will be more alert, smiling, and even giggling, which makes for different but equally special photos.

where should we do the newborn shoot?

Most parents prefer the comfort of home for their newborn session. Apart from having all the things you need handy to you, it’s also your baby’s first home too making it sentimental for the occasion. I love the story-telling aspect and in-home session brings to your photos, especially when there’s siblings.

My dreamy, natural light studio located in Ocean Grove is another option that some parents prefer away from the newborn chaos at home. My studio is equipped with everything you’ll need to create a cozy, nursery-like atmosphere, including a comfy nursing chair, a beautiful ‘Sacred Bundle’ bassinet, dreamy curtains and cushions, and potted olive trees. I also provide a change table, baby essentials and refreshments so you can relax knowing I’ve got you covered.

what if my house is a mess?

Maybe you think your home isn’t ‘perfect’ enough for photos, but the fact that it’s YOUR home makes it perfect just as it is. I don’t expect you to spring clean, in fact you don’t need to do much tidying at all. To keep it easy, I’ve got some simple tips to help prepare your home. But really, all I need to make sweet newborn photos is a window, you and your baby!

do you use props?

If we’re shooting in your home, I’ll bring along a few things from my studio including a range blankets and swaddles in different textures and colours, my beloved grandmother’s crocheted tablecloth and my beautiful woven change basket.

what should my baby wear?

I love outfits that show off those little arms and legs, even more so if there’s rolls – give me all the baby rolls! Go for a bodysuit in a *muted colour or subtle pattern that complements your outfit. Loud patterns and bright colours can distract from your baby – you want people to notice your baby first, not their outfit – so I suggest keeping it simple. The same goes for swaddles.

* a ‘muted colour’ is a less saturated colour, like the opposite to a bright colour.

You might have the perfect outfit already, but also, I don’t expect you to buy something new – no doubt you’ve got a way-too-long to-do list swirling around in your head! So, to keep things simple for you, I’ve curated a client wardrobe bursting with beautiful baby outfits in all the colours and heirloom blankets. I also LOVE incorporating things that are special to you and your babe, like special blankets – you know, the one nana knitted for you when you were a baby – and soft toys to make your session unique to your style.

who should be in the photos?

Absolutely! Parents, siblings and even grandparents are a crucial part of baby’s story so be prepared to be in the photos. It creates beautiful, multi-generational memories and shows baby how much they are loved.

This also goes for furry siblings—pets are family, too!

how long will the session take?

My newborn sessions are baby led, typically lasting up to 3 hours. This ample timeframe allows for feeding breaks and calming moments, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone.

If there’s siblings involved, we’ll aim to get the ‘traditional’ family and siblings photos done first, leaving us free to focus on the baby and all the sibling-led interaction (which usually make for the best photos!).

It might be tempting for the secondary carer to work or do other things during the session, or even leave the session early. I totally get it, 3 hours is a long time to set aside, and it will feel especially slow when it’s your first baby (toddlers will keep both parents busy)… but I strongly suggest both parents block out their time if they can. I’ve found sessions run more smoothly when everyone is available for the whole time. That way we don’t feel rushed or pressured when a baby-led session doesn’t go to plan. Your baby will decide when they’re calm and sleepy enough to be photographed on their own, or who gets to hold them and when.

what if my baby is wide awake when you arrive?

Ideally, we want your baby to be asleep for most of your session, so I provide a few preparation tips to help like the warming the space and top-up feeds, but if they’re awake when I arrive, that’s no worries either! We’ll work through your session in a way that encourages you baby to be calm and (hopefully) send them off to dreamland, while capturing all those in between moments that add to your newborn story.

When you do your newborn session can play a big part in how calm and sleepy your baby will be during your session, so doing your session in the first 7-10 days after their arrival is generally the best time.

what if my baby cries the entire time?

Even the calmest babies have their moments. That’s why my sessions are baby led, we’ll read their queues and work through settling techniques, but we’ll always prioritise your baby’s needs before the photos and take breaks as needed.

I promise we’ll capture beautiful moments, no matter how your session unfolds. Some of my favourite photos come from the sweet unplanned moments of settling baby.

From one mum to another, remember that these sessions are about capturing the love and connection in your family. Relax, enjoy the process, and cherish the beautiful memories you’ll create.

The newborn photo session featured in this blog was photographed in Ocean Grove, a coastal town in the Bellarine Peninsula, by Ocean Grove photographer Joanne Curtis, who specialises in newborn and family photography.

Jo services Ocean Grove, the Bellarine, Geelong, the Surf Coast and Melbourne.

a session with jo is more than just refreshing your family photos

Our photo session may only last a short time, but the moments we create will last forever. You’re the family historian, and a photography session is your way to preserve everything you love about your family, exactly as they are now, to be remembered 20, 50 or even 100 years from now!

If you’re ready to book your next photoshoot, pop over to my contact page and drop me a line, view my portfolio or find out more about my prices and packages. I’d love to work with you!

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