Your newborn photography session is finally approaching! 🤍
Those first few weeks with a new baby can feel like a beautiful blur of feeding, cuddling, diaper changes, and very little sleep. The last thing I want you to worry about is whether your baby will “cooperate” for their photographs.
A little preparation can certainly help, but newborn sessions are intentionally designed to follow your baby’s needs and natural rhythm.
If you’re preparing for a newborn photography session, here are my recommendations for creating a relaxed and comfortable experience for both you and your baby.
1. Schedule Your Newborn Session Early
I generally recommend photographing newborns within approximately the first 8–14 days after birth.
During these early days, babies often sleep deeply and still naturally curl their little legs and bodies into many of the positions they were accustomed to before birth. This can make some of the classic sleepy newborn poses easier to achieve.
However, this does not mean beautiful newborn portraits aren’t possible after two weeks!
Every baby develops differently. I photograph older newborns as well and simply adjust the posing and expectations according to your baby’s age, comfort, flexibility, and developmental stage.
I never force a baby into a pose simply to create a particular photograph.
Your baby’s comfort and safety always come first.
2. Feed Your Baby Before We Begin
A comfortable, full baby is often a sleepy baby!
I recommend planning to feed your newborn shortly before we begin photographing at the studio.
If your baby becomes hungry again during the session, that’s completely normal. We simply stop.
You are always welcome to breastfeed privately, pump, bottle-feed, burp, cuddle, or comfort your baby whenever necessary.
Please continue following your baby’s normal feeding routine rather than trying to delay a feeding simply because you have a photography session scheduled.
If you’re bottle-feeding, I recommend bringing a little more milk or formula than you expect to need. Newborn sessions can sometimes take longer than anticipated, and it’s always better to have extra available.
3. Dress Baby in Something Easy to Remove
Before leaving home, dress your baby in loose, comfortable pajamas.
Something that opens from the front with a zipper, snaps, buttons, or magnets is ideal.
Whenever possible, avoid clothing that needs to be pulled over your baby’s head. If your little one falls asleep on the way to the studio, the last thing we want to do is wake them while struggling with a complicated outfit!
Simple is best.
4. Bring a Pacifier—Even If Baby Doesn’t Normally Use One
I recommend bringing a pacifier to your newborn session even if your baby doesn’t regularly use one.
During posing, a pacifier can sometimes help soothe your baby for just a few moments while I transition them from one position to another.
You don’t have to introduce it permanently. It can simply be a helpful little tool during the session.
5. What Should You Pack?
You don’t need to bring your entire nursery with you. 😊
For your newborn photography session, I recommend bringing:
- Extra diapers
- Wipes
- A pacifier
- Your baby’s favorite blanket
- Extra bottles if bottle-feeding
- Burp cloths
- Any feeding or comfort items you normally use
- A change of clothing for baby
- Any meaningful keepsake you would specifically like photographed
My studio already has a collection of newborn wraps, swaddles, blankets, textures, props, and backdrops, so there is no need to purchase special newborn photography accessories unless there is something personal you would like incorporated into your portraits.
6. Don’t Worry About Keeping Your Baby Awake Before the Session
You may have heard that you should keep a newborn awake for hours before their photography session so they’ll sleep through the photoshoot.
I don’t recommend stressing yourself—or your baby—trying to make that happen.
An overtired newborn isn’t necessarily a sleepy newborn. Sometimes an exhausted baby can actually be more difficult to settle.
Instead, follow your baby’s normal routine as much as possible.
We’ll work with whatever your little one gives us that day.
7. For Breastfeeding Moms: Keep Things Familiar
There is no universal list of foods that every breastfeeding mother needs to avoid before newborn photographs.
Rather than making dramatic changes to your diet, I recommend eating normally, staying hydrated, and avoiding only foods that you have personally noticed seem to make your baby unusually uncomfortable or fussy.
If your baby seems particularly sensitive to caffeine, you may also want to be mindful of how much you consume before the session.
I’ve written a separate guide specifically about this topic:
What Breastfeeding Moms Should Know Before a Newborn Photography Session
If you have concerns about allergies, reflux, feeding, digestive problems, or your baby’s health, always discuss them with your pediatrician or qualified healthcare professional rather than making significant dietary changes solely for a photography session.
8. Be Prepared for a Warm Studio
Newborns are often photographed wearing very little, so I keep the area around your baby comfortably warm during portions of the session.
I may also use white noise, wraps, blankets, and gentle soothing techniques to help create a calm environment.
While your newborn may love the warmth, you might not! 😊
Parents should dress comfortably and in layers whenever possible.
9. Expect Feeding, Diaper Changes—and Poop!
Yes, we’re talking about it. 😄
If your baby is photographed without a diaper, there’s always a possibility that they may pee or poop on a blanket, prop, backdrop—or even on me.
Please don’t apologize!
It’s completely normal and simply part of newborn photography.
Washable items used during newborn sessions are cleaned between babies using baby-safe products.
10. Don’t Worry If Your Baby Doesn’t Fall Asleep Immediately
Some newborns arrive at the studio, finish their feeding, and fall beautifully asleep.
Others want to look around.
Some need to be rocked.
Some need another feeding.
Some decide that the photography session is the perfect time to stay awake and investigate absolutely everything. 😊
All of these situations are normal.
Newborn photography requires patience, which is why I never expect a newborn session to move at the pace of a traditional portrait session.
Sometimes I may offer to hold and soothe your baby while you relax. Babies can recognize their mother’s smell and presence and sometimes decide that being close to Mom means it’s time to eat again.
You’re welcome to sit back, relax on the couch, and let me work on getting your little one comfortable.
11. Let Your Baby Set the Pace
This may be the most important preparation tip of all:
Don’t arrive expecting your newborn to perform.
Your baby doesn’t know that today is picture day.
They don’t know that we planned a beautiful setup.
They certainly don’t care about our schedule. 😄
If your baby needs to eat, we feed.
If they need a clean diaper, we change them.
If they need to be held, we hold them.
If they need a break, we take one.
A newborn session may take anywhere from approximately one to three hours, depending on your selected session, the photographs we’re creating, and—most importantly—your baby’s needs.
12. Newborn Safety Comes Before the Photograph
Some of the beautiful newborn poses you see online are more complicated than they appear.
Certain photographs—particularly poses where baby’s head appears to be supporting itself—may be created as composite images. This means the baby is safely supported during photography and multiple photographs are later combined during retouching to create the finished portrait.
Not every baby can or should be placed into every newborn pose.
I pay attention to your baby’s breathing, circulation, flexibility, body position, temperature, and overall comfort throughout the session.
If your baby resists a particular position, we move on.
No photograph is more important than your baby’s safety.
What If Parents and Siblings Are Being Photographed?
If your newborn package includes photographs with parents or siblings, I generally like to photograph these combinations toward the beginning of the session.
This is especially helpful with young siblings.
Toddlers and preschoolers have a limited amount of patience—and I don’t expect them to sit quietly through an entire newborn session!
We’ll work efficiently to capture those important sibling and family portraits while everyone is still fresh.
Once family photographs are finished, it can be helpful for another adult to take young siblings out of the studio while I continue photographing the newborn. This creates a quieter environment for your baby and gives older siblings a chance to go have some fun.
Most Importantly—Relax
You don’t need to arrive with a perfectly sleeping baby.
You don’t need to apologize if your baby cries.
You don’t need to worry if we have to stop three times for feeding.
And you definitely don’t need to feel embarrassed about diapers, spit-up, or accidents.
This is newborn photography.
All of those things are part of it.
My job isn’t simply to photograph your baby when everything is perfect. My job is to create a comfortable environment, work patiently with your newborn, and capture this incredibly short chapter of your family’s story.
Because before you know it, those tiny fingers will be grabbing toys.
Those curled-up little legs will be crawling.
And that newborn who once fit so perfectly against your chest won’t be quite so tiny anymore.
That’s exactly why these photographs matter.
Newborn Photography in San Antonio, Texas
If you’re expecting a baby and considering a newborn photography session in San Antonio, I recommend reaching out before your baby’s arrival whenever possible.
We can begin planning your session in advance and reserve your expected timeframe around your due date.
Once your baby arrives, we’ll finalize the session date based on their birth date and individual needs.
Your newborn doesn’t need to be “perfect” for their photographs.
They just need to be exactly who they are.
I’ll take care of the rest. 🤍
Ready to preserve your baby’s first days? Explore my Newborn Photography Sessions and begin planning your baby’s portraits.