Newborn sessions are slow, sweet, and completely baby-led. There’s never a need to rush your little one. We leave plenty of time for feeding, soothing, diaper changes, and cuddles along the way.

A little preparation before your session can make the experience even more relaxed. Here are some of my favorite tips for a smooth newborn photography session.

1. Try to Keep Baby Awake Before Your Session

If possible, give your baby a little awake time before heading to the studio. A bath, diaper change, tummy time, or simply interacting with them can help.

Once they’ve had some awake time, a nice full feeding and the car ride to the studio can often help them settle into a deeper sleep.

2. A Full Baby Is Usually a Happy Baby

Try to give your baby a full feeding shortly before leaving for the studio. If you’re nursing, allow enough time for a complete, unrushed feed and a good burp before placing baby in the car seat.

And don’t worry if baby needs another feeding once you arrive! Feeding breaks are completely normal during newborn sessions.

3. Bring More Milk Than You Think You’ll Need

If your baby takes a bottle, bringing an extra bottle or two can be incredibly helpful. Newborn sessions can last a couple of hours, and babies sometimes eat more frequently than expected.

Breastfeeding parents are, of course, always welcome to nurse throughout the session as needed.

4. Dress Baby in Something Easy to Remove

Before your session, dress baby in a loose-fitting sleeper or pajamas that are easy to take off.

Avoid tight socks, onesies, headbands, or clothing that may leave marks on their delicate skin. Button-up or zip-up sleepers are perfect.

5. Bring a Pacifier

Even if your baby doesn’t normally use a pacifier, it can be a helpful soothing tool for the few moments needed to transition between poses.

If your baby doesn’t take one, that’s completely okay—we always follow baby’s cues.

6. Don’t Stress About Flaky Newborn Skin

Peeling and flaky skin are completely normal during those first few weeks and are part of what makes the newborn stage so special.

If you normally use a baby-safe moisturizer, applying a little after bath time may help with dryness. Avoid applying anything new specifically for the photoshoot.

7. Dress in Layers

The studio is kept warm and cozy for baby, especially when we’re photographing them swaddled or in minimal clothing.

Parents may feel a little warmer than usual, so layers are your best friend!

8. Keep Family Outfits Simple

If your session includes parent, sibling, or family portraits, neutral and earthy colors photograph beautifully.

Think cream, white, beige, tan, grey, soft blue, muted browns, or black. Simple pieces without large logos, bold patterns, or distracting graphics keep the attention exactly where it belongs—on your family and your newest little love.

You don’t need to match perfectly. Coordinating within the same soft color palette is usually much more natural.

9. You Don’t Need to Bring Props

The studio is stocked with wraps, blankets, baskets, outfits, and carefully selected newborn props, so there’s no need to pack your nursery!

Your session will be styled ahead of time. If you have something sentimental you’d love photographed—perhaps a family heirloom, special blanket, or meaningful item—let me know before your session so we can plan how to incorporate it beautifully.

10. Pack for the Unexpected

Babies are babies. Spit-up, diaper accidents, and outfit changes happen!

I recommend bringing extra diapers, wipes, feeding supplies, a blanket, an extra outfit for baby, and even an extra shirt for yourself.

And don’t forget a snack and drink for you, too.

11. Don’t Schedule Anything Immediately After

Newborn sessions are intentionally not rushed. Some babies sleep through almost everything, while others need extra feeding, soothing, or cuddle breaks.

Give yourself some breathing room afterward so you don’t spend the session watching the clock.

12. Don’t Worry If Baby Doesn’t “Cooperate”

This might be the most important tip.

Your newborn doesn’t need to perform for the camera.

Some babies sleep deeply. Some want to eat every 20 minutes. Some love being swaddled. Others need extra time in Mom or Dad’s arms before they’re ready.

I’ve photographed many newborns, and every session is different. We follow your baby’s cues and adjust along the way.

What to Bring to Your Newborn Session

Keep your bag simple: diapers and wipes, a pacifier, baby’s blanket, feeding supplies or extra bottles if applicable, an easy-to-remove sleeper, and a change of clothes for baby and parents.

Most importantly, bring your baby and yourselves. I’ll take care of the rest.

One Last Tip: Enjoy It

The newborn stage can feel like a blur of feedings, diaper changes, sleepless nights, and figuring out your new rhythm as a family.

Your photography session is one of the rare opportunities to slow everything down.

Notice their tiny fingers. Their little toes. The way they curl into you. The flaky skin, sleepy stretches, tiny yawns, and expressions you already recognize.

They will never be this small again.

My job isn’t simply to create beautiful photographs. It’s to preserve these little details so that years from now, you can look back and remember exactly how it felt to hold them when they were this new.