Welcoming a new baby comes with a thousand little things to think about. Between preparing for their arrival, trying to get some rest and imagining what those first few days together will feel like, booking a newborn photoshoot might bring up a few questions of its own.
When should you book? What if your baby won't settle? Do you need to buy special outfits? And what happens if your toddler decides they absolutely do not want to be in the photographs?
If you've been wondering about any of these things, you're in the right place.
As a newborn photographer in Warlingham, Surrey, I photograph families in my natural light studio and in their own homes, creating relaxed, natural photographs that celebrate the connection between you and your baby.
I want your session to feel like a lovely pause in the middle of those early days, not another thing on your to do list.
So, I've answered ten of the questions I hear most often from parents before their newborn photoshoot, to help you feel prepared, reassured and excited about the experience.
1/When should I book my newborn photography session?
My advice is to get in touch after your 12 week pregnancy scan if you already know you'd love newborn photographs.
You don't need to know your baby's exact arrival date. We'll pencil in your session for around 7 to 10 days after your due date, and I'll keep additional dates available around that time so we can adjust once your little one arrives.
Babies rarely arrive exactly when expected, so there is no need to worry about getting the date perfectly right months in advance.
I recommend photographing newborns within their first two weeks if you love those sleepy, curled up photographs. However, I also welcome older babies for newborn sessions, up to 12 weeks old.
If your baby has already arrived and you haven't booked a photographer yet, please don't assume you've missed your chance. Get in touch and we can look at the available dates together.
The most important thing is finding a session that works for you and your family.
2/What is the best age for newborn photos?
If you love the look of a tiny, sleepy newborn snuggled in your arms, I generally recommend scheduling your session within the first two weeks after birth.
During this time, many babies spend more time sleeping and naturally curl into those lovely newborn positions. It can be a beautiful time to capture just how tiny they are.
But please don't feel that your baby needs to be photographed within a strict window for your photographs to be meaningful.
Older babies have their own little personalities, expressions and ways of interacting with you. They might be more alert, look straight at you with those curious eyes or stretch out their arms and legs as they begin to explore the world.
There is so much to love about these differences.
If your baby is already a few weeks old, or if you need a little more time to recover after birth, we can still create beautiful photographs together.
Every baby is different, and I always want the experience to feel comfortable for you both.
3/What happens during a newborn photoshoot?
My newborn sessions are designed to be relaxed and baby led, with plenty of time for cuddles and little pauses along the way.
If we're photographing in my studio in Warlingham, I'll have everything ready for your arrival. There's parking in the driveway, so you don't need to worry about finding somewhere to park with a newborn in the car.
If we're having an in-home session, I'll bring what we need and we'll make the most of the natural light and spaces available in your home.
We'll begin gently, allowing you and your baby time to settle in. I'll guide you through simple positions and prompts when needed, but you don't need to know how to pose or worry about looking at the camera all the time.
I love capturing the little interactions between you and your baby, the way you hold them close, the way they curl into your arms and those moments when you look at each other without even realising I'm photographing you.
Your partner and older children will always be part of the session too.
My aim is to create photographs that feel natural and personal to your family, rather than a collection of stiff poses.
4/What if my baby cries, needs feeding or won't settle?
First of all, please don't worry. Babies are not expected to behave in a particular way during their photoshoot.
They might need a feed, a nappy change, a cuddle or simply a little time to feel comfortable in their new surroundings. All of that is completely normal, and it's why newborn sessions can last up to two hours.
That time includes breaks for feeding, changing and soothing your baby, so there is no need to rush.
I follow your baby's cues rather than trying to make them fit into a schedule. If they need you, we'll pause. If they want to be held close, we'll work with that.
I also don't force babies into poses. Your little one leads the session, and we'll photograph them in ways that feel comfortable and natural.
Some babies sleep through much of their session. Others are wide awake and curious about the world around them.
Both can give us beautiful photographs.
5/What should we wear for our newborn photoshoot?
This is one of the questions I love helping families with, because what you wear can make a real difference to the overall feel of your photographs.
My style is natural, minimal and timeless, so I tend to recommend soft, neutral and earthy colours such as cream, beige, taupe, brown and gentle pastels.
You don't all need to wear matching outfits. In fact, I usually find that choosing complementary colours and simple textures creates a much more natural look.
Think comfortable fabrics, uncomplicated shapes and clothes that make you feel like yourself.
And if you're feeling unsure about what to wear, don't worry. Before your session, I'll send you a styling guide with suggestions on what works well and what you might want to avoid.
I also have a client wardrobe with beautiful pieces for mums and little ones, so you can choose outfits without having to buy something new just for your photographs.
For your partner, a simple shirt with neutral trousers or shorts works beautifully.
The goal isn't to dress up as someone else. It's to feel comfortable, confident and present with your family.
6/Do I need to bring clothes or props for my newborn?
Not at all. You don't need to buy a special newborn outfit or bring lots of accessories.
I have a selection of little outfits in my client wardrobe, as well as blankets that we can use to wrap your baby when appropriate.
I prefer to keep things simple so that your baby remains the focus of the photographs.
Those tiny hands, their delicate features and the way they fit so perfectly into your arms are already more than enough.
If you have a special blanket or something meaningful you'd love to include, just let me know beforehand. We can talk about whether it would work with the style of your session.
Otherwise, you can leave the shopping and preparation to one side and concentrate on getting yourself and your baby ready.
There is already plenty to think about when you're welcoming a new little person into your life.
7/Can my partner and older children be included in the photographs?
Absolutely. Your newborn session is about your family, not just your baby.
I always include partners and older siblings, because these photographs can become such a meaningful reminder of how your family looked and felt at this particular moment in time.
If you have an older child, I'll usually begin by photographing them on their own. It gives them a little moment to shine before we bring everyone together.
From there, we can capture sibling photographs, family cuddles and those quieter moments when you get to hold your newborn close.
With toddlers, I find it helps to keep things relaxed. Rather than asking them to smile on cue or repeatedly telling them to look at the camera, I prefer to give them little things to do and let their personalities come through.
Sometimes they want to be involved in everything. Sometimes they need a break to play or explore.
That's completely fine.
You don't need to prepare your children to behave perfectly, and you don't need to worry if they are a little shy or full of energy when they arrive.
If it’s possible and easier for you, I also suggest bringing somebody else to look after your toddler during the session, like grand-ma or a nanny. They can keep them entertained in-between shots.
8/ Is my home suitable for an in-home newborn photoshoot?
Yes, and you might be surprised by what we can create in an ordinary home.
You don't need a huge house, a perfectly decorated nursery or beautiful interiors in every room. As long as we have a suitable window and some natural light, we can usually find a lovely place to photograph you and your baby.
We might use your bedroom, the sofa in your living room or a quiet corner where you naturally spend time together.
Before the session, I recommend a simple tidy up of the rooms we might use. Moving a few things off the bedside table or putting away cables and boxes is usually enough.
There is no need to deep clean your house or make it look as though nobody lives there.
And if you'd love the look of a beautiful old house or a particular style of interior, we can explore the option of hiring a suitable property or Airbnb for your session. It's a lovely way to create something more artistic and personal without needing to live in that kind of home yourself.
I photograph in homes across Surrey and South London, travelling up to around an hour from my studio in Warlingham.
If you're unsure whether your home would work, send me a message. We can talk through the possibilities together.
9./What happens if I feel awkward in front of the camera?
You wouldn't be the first mum to tell me that being photographed isn't something she feels naturally comfortable with.
Perhaps you usually find yourself behind the camera taking photographs of everyone else. Perhaps you don't know what to do with your hands, or you're worried you'll feel tired and unlike yourself after giving birth.
I understand that having your photograph taken can feel a little unfamiliar, especially when you've been adjusting to so many changes.
But you don't need to know how to pose, and you certainly don't need to arrive feeling completely confident.
I'll give you simple directions and gentle prompts throughout the session, helping you find natural positions without making you feel as though you need to perform for the camera.
You won't be expected to hold a smile or look directly at me all the time.
Instead, I'll encourage you to spend time with your baby, hold them close, look down at them, enjoy a cuddle and simply be together.
Those little interactions are often the photographs parents treasure most.
And if you'd prefer a few photographs of your baby on their own, we'll make space for those too.
I want you to feel comfortable enough to enjoy the experience, rather than worrying about how you look in every photograph.
10/ When will I receive my photographs, and how do I choose my favourites?
After your session, I'll carefully edit your best photographs and prepare your private online gallery.
My usual turnaround time is around two to three weeks, so you can expect to receive an email with a link to view your images.
Your package includes 10 digital photographs, which you can download directly from your gallery ( before it expires after 7 days).
If you find yourself loving more than the 10 included images, you can upgrade to one of my larger collections.
I know how difficult it can be to choose favourites when every photograph brings back a different little memory.
You might love the photographs of your baby on their own, but then find yourself drawn to the ones where your partner is holding them, or where your older child is looking at their new sibling.
Take your time to enjoy the gallery and choose the images that mean the most to you.
Make sure you download and save them in more than one place, such as your computer and a cloud storage service.
If you don’t upgrade, your gallery will close after 7 days. If you do upgrade, your gallery will remain opened for 3 months. After that, all images are deleted. Hence, the reminder to back them up on different places please ! If that is a worry for you, I offer an add-on to keep your gallery opened for 1 more year.
And please don't feel that your photographs need to live only on your phone or laptop. I also offer prints, albums and other products, so you can give your favourite images a place in your home.
These are photographs you'll want to return to as your baby grows, and I love the idea of them becoming part of your family's everyday life.
Ready to book your newborn photoshoot in Surrey or South London ?
If you're looking for a newborn photographer in Surrey or South London and would love natural, timeless photographs of your growing family, I'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch to enquire about your newborn photography session, and let's plan something that feels right for you and your family.
Explore my newborn photography sessions or check my availability online to book directly there. If you want a chat before booking, fill in the contact form and I will be in touch.
I can't wait to meet you and your little one.
