How to Prepare Your Newborn for an In-Home Photo Session (Without the Stress)
Welcoming a new baby is magical—but let’s be honest, those first weeks can also feel a little overwhelming. The last thing you need is to stress about getting everyone out the door for newborn portraits.
The good news? You don’t have to. With an in-home newborn session, I bring everything we need directly to you, so you can stay comfortable in your own home and let the session unfold at your baby’s pace.
Here’s how to prepare your newborn—and yourself—for a relaxed, beautiful session.
1. Keep Baby Awake Before the Session
If possible, try to keep your baby awake for an hour or so before I arrive. A bath, some gentle playtime, or simply spending a little time cuddling and interacting with them can help.
Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t cooperate! Newborns have their own schedules, and we’ll work with them.
2. Feed Baby Right Before the Session
A full belly usually means a happy, sleepy baby. If possible, plan to feed your little one shortly before I arrive.
Once I’m there, there’s absolutely no need to worry about the clock. We’ll take breaks for feeding, soothing, and cuddles whenever baby needs them.
3. Keep Baby Wrapped Until I Arrive
Rather than putting baby in an outfit, I recommend keeping your little one comfortably wrapped in a blanket after their feeding. This makes it easier to transition into the session without disturbing them too much.
I’ll take care of the rest! I bring the wraps, blankets, and everything needed for your newborn portraits.
4. Don’t Stress About Baby Acne or Flaky Skin
Newborn skin is perfectly imperfect—and completely normal. I’ll gently retouch your final portraits while keeping baby looking natural and true to themselves.
5. Have a Pacifier Nearby
Even if your baby doesn’t regularly use one, having a pacifier nearby can be helpful during transitions or when baby needs a little extra soothing. It can make those tiny pauses between poses much easier.
6. Your Home Does Not Need to Be Perfect
This one is especially important for an in-home session. You do not need to deep clean your house or have everything perfectly organized before I arrive.
I bring my full studio setup, including backdrops and everything needed for the session. If you’d like to incorporate your home into the portraits, we can absolutely do that too! We can use a beautiful area with natural light for family or lifestyle portraits, while the studio setup gives us a more polished backdrop option right in your home.
7. Relax—We’re on Baby’s Schedule
Your baby does not need to sleep the entire time, and you don’t need to make the session go perfectly.
I’ll take care of the posing and guide you throughout the experience. We’ll take our time with feeding, soothing, diaper changes, and plenty of cuddles. The goal is for you to enjoy this time with your baby—not feel like you have to manage a photoshoot.
What Do You Need to Have Ready?
Honestly, not much! I bring everything needed for your newborn portraits, including my mobile studio setup.
Just have a few simple things nearby:
- Extra diapers and wipes
- A pacifier, if you have one
- Any special heirlooms or meaningful items you’d like photographed
- A blanket to keep baby cozy before we begin
And most importantly, come as you are. Your home, your baby, and these beautiful, imperfect first days are exactly what we’re here to document.
Want to Book Your In-Home Newborn Session?
If you’re expecting or recently welcomed your baby, now is the perfect time to reserve your session. I recommend booking during your second trimester to make sure we have availability around baby’s first two weeks.
I’ll bring the studio to you, so you can relax and enjoy this special time from the comfort of your own home.
