What happens during your Newborn photoshoot with me ?
Booking a newborn photoshoot often comes with a mix of excitement… and a few worries.
What if my baby doesn’t sleep?
What if I don’t know what to do?
Can I actually get out of the house so early after giving birth ?
What actually happens during the session?
If you’ve been wondering the same, this will walk you through it… gently and honestly, so you know exactly what to expect.
Before You Arrive
Before your session, you will receive a link to your Welcome Guide, with everything you need to feel prepared. You will also get a link to a Styling guide and a link to my Client Wardrobe ( in case you didn’t know what to wear or didn’t want to buy something new)
The studio is already set up with soft wraps, blankets, and a calm environment designed for newborns.
There’s no pressure to get everything perfect before you leave the house. Newborn days are unpredictable, and leaving the house with a fresh newborn can be stressful with a new logistic to learn, that’s completely understood.
What to bring ?
You won’t need to bring much, just the essentials for your baby, and your outfits.
I usually recommend :
Everyone's outfits. You are welcome to use my Client's wardrobe and get changed when you arrived
Nude or white or black underwear & bra, depending on your skin tone and the outfits you want to wear
A dummy
Milk
Nappies and nappy bags
Wet wipes
Favourite teddy or sentimental blanket you would like featured in the photos
Non messy snacks for older siblings (avoid chocolate, we don't want any stains !)
When You First Walk In
The studio is kept warm, peaceful with soft music in the background, and ready for you.
You will have time to settle in, have a coffee, feed your baby if needed, and take a moment to breathe after the journey.
Nothing starts straight away.
This part is slow and unhurried, because both you and your baby need to feel comfortable before anything else.
I will ask you what you would like to wear during the session, for yourself, baby and partner. We figure out the outfits first.
The Session Begins… Gently
Once your baby is settled, fed and changed, we begin slowly.
There’s no rushing into poses or expecting your baby to “perform”. Every newborn session is guided by your baby’s comfort and natural rhythm.
Some babies fall into a deep sleep…
Some prefer being wrapped…
Some need a little more time and closeness.
We simply follow their lead.
I like to start with your partner because baby will not smell the milk on them ! It makes it easier for them to relax and potentially fall asleep ( although we will not force it and I like to take photos with their eyes opened)
Moving through the workflow
As the session flows, I’ll guide your baby through a few gentle setups.
This might include:
• wrapped images
• natural, simple poses
• close up details like tiny fingers, lips, and toes ( they need to be deep asleep and being hold tight in a cuddle, to be able to get these close-up shots)
If your baby is happy and settled, we may try a little more variety. If they prefer to stay cosy and wrapped, we lean into that instead.
There is no fixed checklist, only what feels right for your baby on the day.
Connection over perfection
You don’t need to know how to pose or where to look. I’ll gently position you in a way that feels natural and comfortable.
These moments are always simple and minimalist, focused on connection rather than perfection.
Many mums feel a little unsure at first, especially in the early days after birth. That’s completely normal.
You’ll be supported the whole way through.
I usually ask you to look outside, look at baby or look at each other. You don’t need to look at my camera ( unless you want that photo for the grand-parents !).
Time for Feeding, Cuddles and Breaks
Newborn sessions are not rushed.
There is always time for:
• feeding
• changing
• soothing
• cuddles
If your baby needs you, we pause. If there is a poo, of course we will stop and get baby changed.
This is built into the session’s time, no need to worry about it.
A Calm, Baby Led Experience
Throughout the entire session, the pace stays slow.
There’s no pressure for your baby to do anything specific. The focus is on creating a calm environment where natural moments can unfold.
Often, parents tell me afterwards that it felt much more relaxed than they expected.
That’s exactly how it should feel.
If you would like specific poses, or shared some inspiration photos beforehand with me ( hopefully of my own work !), I am more than happy to try ( if it’s a safe pose ; for instance, I don’t do the frog pose) but baby will always lead on this and I will never force any pose.
After Your Session
Once your session is finished, I carefully select and edit your images.
You’ll receive a gallery to view your photographs and choose your favourites.
This is when everything comes together, the tiny details, the connection, the moments you may not have even noticed at the time.
If You’re Feeling Unsure…
It’s completely normal to feel a little uncertain before booking a newborn session.
But you don’t need to have it all figured out.
You don’t need a perfectly sleepy baby.
You don’t need to know how it works.
You don’t need to feel fully “ready”.
You just need to show up.
Everything else is guided for you, step by step.
Thinking About Booking?
Newborn sessions are typically held within the first 2 weeks after birth ( up to 12 weeks old) , when babies are still very small and naturally sleepy.
If you’re expecting and considering a session, you can get in touch to check availability and ask any questions. I often share my latest availability at the top of my website here, so have a look. My recommendation is to get in touch after your 12 weeks scan to secure your date in. I only take a set amount of sessions per month, so they tend to go quickly, especially during the peak of birth in the UK in September and October.
