Preparing For Your
In-Home Newborn Session
First of all - take a deep breath.
Bringing a new baby home may be the biggest change in your whole life.
Your days (and nights) are full, your routines are new, and everything feels a little different.
Please know that, as a mother of two, I completely understand this season of life, and my goal during your session is to make things feel easy, calm, and natural.
I’m not just coming as your photographer, I’m also coming as a friend who understands how tender and emotional these early days can be.
Whether you feel excited, overwhelmed, emotional, or all of the above… you’re welcome to share it all. I’ve heard the joyful stories, the tired ones, the funny ones, and the “we have no idea what we’re doing” ones too. All of it is part of this beautiful chapter.
And I promise: I’ve seen it all.
Preparing your home
Please do not worry about having a perfectly clean home. I truly mean that. These sessions are about your baby and your family, not about how tidy your house looks.
All we really need is one space where the light is nice. Usually this ends up being:
The master bedroom
The nursery
The living room near a window
If you have a moment before I arrive, simply:
Open the blinds or curtains
Turn off all lights (natural light photographs much more beautifully)
Remove any distracting items (water bottles, phone chargers, random clutter)
That’s it.
Your home does not need to be sparkling clean. Just a cozy little nook where we can spend most of our time photographing together.
Feeding Your Baby
A full baby is a sleepy baby, and sleepy babies photograph beautifully.
If possible, I recommend feeding your baby right before the session or when I arrive.
We will follow your baby’s pace. If your baby needs to eat, cuddle, or settle, we pause. There is no rush.
If you’re comfortable with it, feeding moments can also be gently documented. Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding, these quiet moments of caring for your baby can create incredibly meaningful images - the way you hold them close, the calm connection between you, and the tenderness of these early days. This is always completely optional and only if it feels right for you.
What to Wear
For in-home newborn sessions, soft and simple always photographs best.
Think:
Neutral colours (cream, beige, soft grey, soft pastels)
Comfortable, relaxed clothing
Flowy dresses for mom
Simple shirts or sweaters for dad
Many moms also prefer wearing something with sleeves or that covers the upper arms. After pregnancy, it’s very normal to feel a little self-conscious about certain areas of the body, and sleeves can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed during the session. When you feel comfortable, it truly shows in the photos.
Avoid:
Bright colours
Large logos
Busy patterns
The goal is to keep the focus on your connection and your baby.
Client Closet
You are always welcome to use my client closet, free of charge.
For moms, I have a selection of soft, flowy dresses that photograph beautifully and are chosen to flatter postpartum bodies while helping you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera - without the stress of finding something new to wear.
I also have simple, timeless pieces for babies, such as soft wraps, knit outfits, and neutral pieces that photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your baby.
If you'd like to use anything from the client closet, I’m happy to bring a few options with me to the session.
How The Session Usually Flows
Every baby is different, but sessions usually unfold gently in this order:
1. Baby settles first
When I arrive, I’ll gently wrap your baby in a soft, snug swaddle and spend a little time rocking and soothing them to sleep. This helps babies feel safe and cozy, and allows them to relax into a deep sleep for the photos.
This is also a beautiful moment for you to take a breath. Becoming parents is intense, and the days can feel like a blur of feeding, changing, and very little rest. While I settle the baby, I always encourage parents to sit down, relax, and take a small moment for themselves. Have a sip of coffee, sit on the couch, or just pause for a minute. There is nothing you need to do during this time - I’ve got the baby.
2. Photos with mom and baby
Once baby is settled and sleepy, we’ll begin with photos of you and your baby. These are often the most emotional and meaningful images.
3. Photos with dad and baby
Next, we’ll capture some quiet, tender moments between dad and baby.
4. Family photos
After parent-baby portraits, we’ll capture relaxed family photos together. The whole family, parents and baby, enjoying this moment.
5. Family photos with siblings
If there are older siblings, we’ll include a few family photos of all of you together. After that, dad can take the sibling for a little break, giving them time to play and relax. They can return later for some more sibling photos once the baby has finished their solo portraits. These moments often capture the sweetest interactions and beginnings of sibling bonds.
6. Baby’s solo portraits
Once family photos are done, we’ll focus on your baby alone. During this time, I’ll gently pose them and capture all the tiny details - little fingers, toes, eyelashes… I do not perform elaborate or complicated swaddling techniques - everything is kept natural and very lightly posed, so your baby stays comfortable and safe while we capture these early moments.
A Gentle Reminder
Your baby does not need to be “perfect” for photos.
Babies cry. Babies need to eat. Babies need cuddles. All of that is normal, and I work with it every day.
Some of the most beautiful images happen in the quiet in-between moments - rocking, feeding, holding your baby close.
This session is not about perfection.
It’s about remembering what these first days felt like.
I’m truly honoured to step into your home and document this moment in your family’s story.
After The Session
Once the session is complete, I’ll carefully pack up and leave your home just as we found it - calm, cozy, and full of memories captured.
Photo Package & Delivery:
Your session fee includes the Classic Package with 15 images. Within 4 weeks after the session, you’ll receive access to an online gallery where you can view all your images and select your favourites.
You’ll also have the option to upgrade your package later if you’d like more images.
I can’t wait to photograph your family and capture these special first moments together.
