Preparing Your Baby for the Session
Keep Baby Awake Before the Session
For the best sleepy, snuggly photos, we want your baby to be tired when the session begins. I recommend keeping your baby awake for about 30–45 minutes before I arrive.
Most of my sessions are scheduled around 11:00 AM. You’ll receive a text from me when I leave my home — at that point, please try to keep your baby awake if they aren’t already. Gentle play, a bath, or some tummy time are great ways to help.
The Secret to Sleepy Baby Photos: Feed Timing
When I arrive at your home, I’ll spend about 15–20 minutes setting up. This is the perfect time to give your baby a full feeding — more than you might normally give.
A baby who is a little tired and a little hungry right before I arrive will eat more and fall into a deep, content sleep. This is exactly what we want for those dreamy, curled-up newborn poses.
Pacifier: Please Have One Ready
Even if your baby doesn’t regularly take a pacifier, please have one nearby. I don’t always use it — in fact, I use it in only about 20% of sessions — but having it available can help us soothe the baby quickly if needed.
If there is no pacifier, I often have to improvise with other methods, which can add time to the session. Please trust that having a pacifier ready can really make a difference.
Optional but Helpful: Bottle of Milk
If your baby takes both breast and bottle, I recommend having a bottle of breast milk or formula ready during the session. While I fully support breastfeeding, in a session setting, a bottle can help us top off your baby without disturbing them too much (especially if they are already in a wrap or prop).
If you do formula-feed, formula-fed babies tend to sleep longer and deeper, which can help the flow of the session. This is not required, but it’s a helpful tip to keep in mind.
What You Need to Prepare (and What You Don’t!)
Baby Essentials
You do not need to prepare any outfits, props, or accessories for your baby. I will bring everything needed:
- Wraps
- Blankets
- Props
- Accessories that are safe, sized for newborns, and professionally sanitized
All I need is your baby in a diaper.
If you do have a sentimental item you’d like to include — a blanket from your childhood, a handmade toy from grandma, etc. — please let me know in advance. Send me a photo so I can plan your setups and color palettes accordingly.
Baby Skin: Please Don’t Stress
I often hear parents say, “Let’s wait until their skin clears up.” Please don’t! Newborn skin is naturally imperfect — peeling, blemishes, discoloration — this is completely normal.
Every single image in my portfolio has been carefully edited to achieve that beautiful, soft look you see online. Skin retouching is part of my process and something I do for all babies.
The only thing I ask: don’t apply lotion the morning of your session. You can apply lotion the night before or after the session, but if it’s applied right before, it can make the skin appear shiny and complicate the editing process.
Preparing Your Home
Choosing the Best Space
When I arrive, I will walk through your home with you to select the best area for the session. I look for spaces with the most natural light and enough space to set up.
Most of the time this is the living room or a room with large windows or patio doors. If you live in a small space or have limited light — no worries at all! I’m very used to working in small apartments and can bring professional lighting if needed.
Setting Up the Space
You don’t need to do a deep clean of your whole home. Just:
- Clear clutter in the area we’ll shoot
- If you want family photos on your bed, make sure the bed is neatly made with a white or light neutral blanket, and free of wrinkles and clutter
- If we will be using your bedroom, focus on tidying the area near the window
Temperature
Please make sure your home is comfortably warm. Newborns are most content in a warm environment, especially when being photographed without clothes. I may also bring a small space heater to use near the setup area.
What to Wear for Family Photos
For family and parent portraits, I recommend simple, timeless clothing:
- Neutrals (white, cream, beige, soft gray, soft blue, light green)
- Avoid bright colors, busy patterns, big logos, or large text
- Soft textures and simple fabrics photograph beautifully
My personal favorite for family photos: white. It’s clean, minimal, and timeless — and keeps the focus on your baby.
Final Thoughts
Please do not stress. I know these first weeks with a newborn are exhausting and unpredictable. Your baby is in wonderful hands — I will guide the session, handle your baby gently and safely, and create beautiful images no matter what happens.
If the baby didn’t stay awake beforehand, if feeding didn’t go perfectly, if your house isn’t perfectly tidy — it’s all okay. I’ve worked with hundreds of families and every session is unique and beautiful.
We will take our time, follow the baby’s lead, and create images that you will treasure for a lifetime.
If you have any questions or special requests, always feel free to reach out. I am here for you — and I can’t wait to photograph your little one!
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