Bringing a new baby home is one of the most all-consuming, beautiful, sleep-deprived chapters of your life. The last thing you need is to be scrambling to organise a photographer in those first hazy weeks. So here's everything you need to know — before the baby arrives.
When to Book
The honest answer: earlier than you think. I recommend reaching out by the end of your second trimester, around 28 weeks. Especially if your due date is in the summertime as it's my busiest work season. I like to have everything confirmed well in advance so we're not rushing once you're holding a two-week-old and running on no sleep.
Once you're booked in, we stay in touch closer to your due date and confirm the exact date & time once your little one is here.
The Best Age for a Newborn Session
I shoot newborn sessions when babies are up to three weeks old. This is the sweet spot — babies are still sleepy, curly, and deeply newborn in the way that doesn't last. Every week that passes, they change so fast. If you're hoping to capture that brand-new stage, those first three weeks are the window.
If your baby arrives early or things don't go to plan, don't worry — just reach out and we'll figure it out together.
Where We Shoot: Your Home
I do all newborn sessions at home, and I wouldn't have it any other way. A studio might look beautiful, but home is where your baby actually lives — where the light comes through your bedroom window in the morning, where the bassinet sits next to your bed, where all of it is real. Families are more relaxed at home, babies settle better, and the images end up feeling true to this chapter of your life rather than staged.
And with that mentioned: please do not spend your third trimester deep-cleaning your entire home for me. I genuinely mean that. All I need is one or two rooms — a bedroom or living room — that are reasonably tidy and have good natural light. Think large windows, light walls if possible, and space to move around a little. That's it.
Before your session, it helps to:
- Clear surfaces of clutter in the main shooting area
- Have any meaningful props or items nearby (a favourite blanket, a small toy, anything sentimental)
- Keep the room warm — newborns need it, and it helps them stay sleepy and settled
What to Wear
Neutral, simple, and comfortable clothes. You've just had a baby — this is not the moment for an outfit that feels like a costume. Soft tones like cream, white, beige, muted sage or warm grey all photograph beautifully and keep the focus where it belongs: on your baby and your family. Avoid bold prints, logos, or anything too structured. Coordinating (not matching) works well if there are multiple people in the frame — same colour family, different textures.
And if you're a new mum who wants to stay in a soft robe or a simple linen set? Perfect. That's exactly right.
What to Expect on the Day
Sessions run typically up to 1.5 hours, and every minute of it is so precious — including the feeding breaks, the clothing changes, and the moments where you're just trying to get the baby to settle. I love capturing all of it. That's not the in-between stuff, that's the whole point. A new baby doesn't pause life, it completely takes it over, and those real, unscripted moments are exactly what I'm here to document.
I'll guide you gently through the session, but there's no rigid schedule and nothing to perform. Just show up as you are, tend to your baby as you normally would, and let me do the rest.
But with that said, I know you're itching to also get these really sweet guided moments as well. So do not worry, I will guide you through everything. How to hold your baby, where to sit, what to do with your hands. The best images from newborn sessions are almost always the quiet ones: you looking down, a tiny hand wrapped around a finger, a sleeping baby on a chest.
What About Siblings and Pets?
Yes to both, with a little preparation. Older siblings are wonderfully sweet in newborn sessions. I usually do a short window at the start or end of the session dedicated to sibling shots while everyone has energy. It doesn't need to be long, and it doesn't need to be perfect. The authentic, slightly chaotic love between siblings is exactly what makes those images special.
Pets are so welcomed as well! A few frames with the family dog curled up nearby are often some of the most-loved images from a session.
One Last Thing
You will not remember these days as clearly as you think you will. You'll remember the feeling — the weight of them on your chest, the smell, the overwhelm and the love all at once — but the details fade faster than anyone warns you about. That's what these images are for. Not for a perfect, styled shoot. Just to remember exactly how small they were, and how full your heart was.
If you're expecting and want to talk through booking, I'd love to hear from you.
