Newborn Photography Q & A
- Mairi
- Jul 13
- 6 min read
Capturing those precious first moments of your little one is something that you can cherish forever. It's natural to have questions as you consider newborn photography, from finding someone who truly understands how to safely photograph your tiny miracle to choosing just the best props and poses. In this Q&A, we'll address some common questions and concerns; when is the best time for a newborn session, what to expect during the session, how to prepare for your photo shoot and more.
Q&A with Bay Area Photographer Laura Baker
Why Should I Get Professional Newborn Photos?
The newborn phase is such a precious, fleeting time, and a professional newborn photographer will be able to capture all of the tiny details, and your love for your newest family member. Of course, you'll love all photos of your baby, whether from an iPhone or professional camera, but it's truly special to have a collection of beautiful and detailed images from those early weeks with your baby - especially when bound together in a printed album, which a professional photographer can create for you. These are extremely popular with newborn clients because as your child grows, it's lovely to have a collection of beautiful photos to hold and look back on together.
When Should I Hire a Newborn Photographer?
It's best to book a newborn photographer about 3 months before your due date. This ensures they'll have room for you on your calendar when your baby arrives. If you'd also like to book a maternity session, then you will want to reach out near the end of your first trimester so that you can schedule both sessions. Of course, even if you've waited longer than this, it's always good to reach out to your preferred photographer and see what their availability is. They might be able to fit you in, depending on when the babies they have on their schedule arrive (since babies aren't usually born on their due dates, there's some flexibility).
When is the Best Time for a Newborn Photography Session?
As long as your baby is older than 5 days, there's no wrong time for a newborn session! Typically, I recommend scheduling between 1-3 weeks old so your baby will still be very sleepy through the poses. However, you can absolutely schedule a session for an older baby. Some families find that they prefer to settle in a little more at home, and might wait until their baby is closer to two months old. After 4 weeks, babies are usually less sleepy, but they'll also be chubbier and possibly starting to smile. There's something fun at every stage!
How Should I Prepare for my Newborn Photography Session?
My clients choose me for my soft, light style, so I always recommend they wear neutral or soft tones. This ensures your images will look like the ones you love on my website. Button down shirts and light pants for dad, and flowy fabrics for mom are good options. Wrap dress are super flattering on everyone. Be sure to dress older siblings in clothes they are comfortable in, also in neutral colors.
In addition to choosing your outfits, I recommend clients trim their nails so they're ready for closeups. I love photographing parents' hands on their new, tiny baby!
I also recommend that you clear clutter from nightstands and end tables, and make sure your bed is made up prior to my arrival. This will all help your session go more smoothly.
Can the Shoot Include my Partner and I or Other Members of my Family or Pets?
Yes! Immediate family are all welcome to be a part of your session, although some families prefer to have the session be for baby only. Pets are also welcome to join. Oftentimes they were a families' first babies, and it's fun to include them in the session.
Where do your Newborn Photo Sessions Take Place? Do you have a Studio? Do you Offer Home Sessions?
Newborn sessions take place in the comfort of your own home. I remember too well how challenging it was to leave the house with my new baby, so this makes your session super convenient. I bring everything I need with me - a posing cushion, blankets, swaddles, headbands and more!
Occasionally, I have clients who prefer to have their session in a studio, and I do have access to one when needed, for an additional fee.
What Sorts of Props do you Use or Have Available?
I want to showcase your baby in timeless photographs that you can display in your home, so my style of photography uses minimal props. Blankets, swaddles, and headbands are about the only "props" I use.
How Many Photos Will I Receive?
You can expect to receive around 50 high-resolution digital images from your session.
Do you Offer a Photo Release?
Yes, I do offer a photo release, however quality is only guaranteed when printed through my professional labs.
I know how easy it is to plan to hang photos on your wall "someday" and then never get around to it, which is why many clients choose me for my wall gallery design service. My clients love that I can show them what looks good on their wall and help them get there! We work together to design the perfect arrangement for their wall with highest quality materials, or a beautiful heirloom album. This ensures that they get exactly what they want from their session and enjoy their images to the fullest.
What is the Process from Contacting You, to Booking and Scheduling?
I encourage everyone to reach out via my website, which allows you the opportunity to look over my work and familiarize yourself with my offerings. Once you submit the inquiry form, I'll respond within 48 hours, asking a few questions and providing more detailed pricing information.
From there, we'll schedule based on your due date. This is what I pencil into my calendar, but it is not your session date. Since babies rarely arrive on their due date, we'll wait until your baby is here to set an exact date.
To book, you'll pay a $500 non-refundable retainer and sign a contract - this will secure your place on my calendar.
About 6-8 weeks before your due date, we'll have a virtual planning meeting so that we can "meet" each other and go over all of the details of your session, from what to wear to how to prepare.
Once your baby arrives, you'll reach out within 48 hours so we can set the session date.
Describe the Day Of the Shoot.
On the day of your session (typically a weekday morning at 10am), I'll arrive with your favorite coffee in hand. Then I'll have you show me around your home so I can select the best rooms for your photos. The primary bedroom, nursery and living room are the most common places, but it varies from home to home. I'll likely photograph your baby's solo shots in a different room than the family photos so that you can relax during your off-camera time.
Often, I'll start with photos that include the siblings so they can be done quickly. Then I'll move on to pictures of baby on their own, and finish with pictures of mom and dad with the baby.
You can expect your session to take around 2-3 hours to allow time for setting up, feeding or diaper change breaks, soothing baby to sleep, etc. This goes by a lot quicker than you might think!
What is the Process of Picking Photos and How to Receive Them?
You will receive all of the best images from your session in an online gallery.
About 2 weeks after your session, we'll schedule a virtual image reveal - this is the best part! I'll show you a slideshow of your images and we'll work together to create wall galleries and/or an album (albums are very popular with newborn clients!). You'll receive an emailed link to your gallery where you can download your slideshow and images, and order any additional products such as prints, ornaments and more.
What are All the Different Services you Offer?
I offer maternity, newborn and family sessions. I also provide custom wall gallery and album design.
What is Your Favorite Part of Your Job?
I love love love being there for my clients in those tender first few weeks. It's so special to be in clients' homes during this adjustment phase, treating them to coffee, snuggling their precious babies, teaching them a few tricks on how to calm their baby, and encouraging them that they've got this.
My next favorite thing is seeing my clients' joy when I hang their framed photos on their wall. They already loved their images on the computer, but seeing them up on their wall is a whole other level. To take a session from planning to completion is so fulfilling, and filling a blank space on their walls with family photos really warms the home.
Laura Baker has been a maternity, newborn and family photographer in the greater Bay Area for more than 6 years. She guides clients through the process of creating heirloom wall art and albums to ensure their photos make it off of their computers. Her clients choose her for the "ethereal light" in her outdoor work, and also because they know her to be the "baby whisperer." She lives in the south bay area with her husband, two teenagers and rescue german shepherd, and travels throughout the bay area for on-location sessions.
You can check out her work and contact her here:
