What to Expect at Your Newborn Photo Session

What to Expect at Your Newborn Photo Session

Congratulations! You’re getting ready to welcome a little one to the family! Maybe you’ve already booked your newborn photo session with me, or maybe you’re exploring options for Moreno Valley newborn photography. Either way, you’re probably wondering what to expect at your newborn session. I hope this post answers your questions!

When to Book

I recommend capturing your newborn photo session when baby is between 5 and 15 days old. Babies at this age are sleepy and super flexible for those cute newborn poses! I can do newborn shoots for babies up to 1 month old, but we may not be able to get the same types of poses for safety reasons. Safety is the number one priority for me! I make sure that my newborn photo sessions are guided by baby to make sure they are safe and comfortable the whole time.

Newborn photo sessions are very popular, so you’ll want to book while you’re still pregnant to ensure availability. 

What to Bring

A pacifier and bottle with pumped milk or formula are a great idea. Even if baby doesn’t normally use them, it’s helpful to have a few different soothers to make sure your session goes smoothly. A hairbrush for baby is also useful. And don’t forget to pack a change of clothes for yourself. Accidents happen! I have an immense prop collection full of properly fitting outfits, wraps, backdrops, baskets, buckets, and furs so there is no need to bring anything else unless there is a personal item that holds value that you want to incorporate.

Getting Ready

We want baby to sleep at the studio, so please keep little one awake prior to your session time. One good way to do this is to give baby a bath. This keeps them awake and ensures that they’re squeaky clean for pictures! (Clean newborn hair photographs best, so even if your infant still has their umbilical cord and needs a sponge bath, make sure to wash their hair).

After baby is cleaned up, give them an extra feeding and dress them in something loose that won’t leave lines on their skin or need to be pulled over their head. A loose zip or button-up sleeper is perfect. 

At the Studio

I keep my studio toasty warm (around 80 degrees) to keep baby comfortable the whole time. Wear layers so you can stay comfortable too!

Newborns love to be swaddled, so I generally start with two or three wrapped setups to keep baby content. After that, we’ll transition to bean bag posing and parent/sibling shots. Mamas—I do have a studio collection of gowns for you to use, and hair and makeup is also available upon request.

Now that you have a better idea of what to expect from your newborn photo session, I can’t wait to welcome you and your little one to my Moreno Valley, CA photography studio! I want to make sure this is a great experience for both of you, so if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. I look forward helping you record this unforgettable time.