Newborn photoshoot tips for parents
YAY! You made a tiny human and you're still upright. That alone deserves a trophy (or at least a hot cup of coffee you don’t have to reheat three times). If your newborn season is anything like mine, sleep is a myth and somehow your heart is fuller than your laundry basket (which is saying a lot).
If you’ve landed here, chances are you’ve booked a newborn photo session (woohoo!) or you’re thinking about it and frantically Googling things like ‘Do I need to bring props?’ or ‘Will my baby pee on the photographer?'‘
First of all: breathe. I’ve got you.
I know the idea of a newborn photoshoot might feel somewhere between ‘awww’ and ‘what fresh chaos is this?’ That’s totally normal. Whether you're wondering how to keep your baby calm, what to wear, or how I manage to get those peaceful, emotive shots without black magic, this post is for you.
I’ve rounded up the most common questions I get from new parents, plus a few handy tips to make your session smooth, sweet & totally stress-free.
Let’s dive into the good stuff. And yes, it includes poop talk. You're a parent now. That’s just part of the gig.
WHEN
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO HAVE A NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT?
Newborn sessions are best had within the first 2 weeks of your baby’s life, as he will be at his sleepiest then and therefore easier to lay down or gently move without waking (who doesn’t love a cute sleepy shot?!). By that time, your preferred feeing method (breastfeeding or formula) should be established enough not to cause any stress in either mum or baby, but if that’s not the case yet - and we know that’s a journey sometimes! - having a shoot later on in your baby’s life is beautiful and has a lot of pros.
So, if for a reason or another, you find yourself already past the 2 week mark (AKA the absolute whirlwind that the first 14 days of being a newborn parent are), do not worry! Older newborns may be more alert and a tad more prone to crying, but they are also more personality, more open eyes and even a few smiles (if we’re hilarious enough - they can be a tough audience).
Either way, you will create heartwarming memories and images you are going to love. I recommend getting in touch to book your newborn photoshoot at some point during the second half of your pregnancy. This will ensure you will find availability for when it’s needed, but don’t worry - nothing is set in stone until baby arrives!
TIMINGS
WHAT’S THE BEST TIME OF THE DAY FOR A NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT?
Your photographer (AKA me, haha! #jokingnotjoking) is likely to suggest a shoot time based on when natural light looks its best in the shoot location of choice. For in-home shoots, for instance, this can be most times of the day, whereas for outdoor shoots I recommend shooting as close as possible to either sunrise or sunset to get the most beautiful, soft light available.
But the real boss? That’s your newborn. I highly recommend you suggest times when your baby is at his most relaxed, or flag times you know is best to avoid due to him often being fussy or due a long feed. A happy, recently-fed baby is key to a successful shoot!
A good newborn shoot allows enough time to capture a beautiful full gallery of images whilst allocating plenty of breaks whenever needed for feeds, changes and lots & lots of cuddles. For the baby. But I’m not one turn down a hug.
ENVIRONMENT
WHERE SHOULD MY NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT TAKE PLACE?
Newborn shoots are just as beautiful outdoors as they are indoors. If your baby is born in a warm-ish time of year, consider taking your shoot outdoors for a truly natural, magical vibe. You won’t regret it!
If you prefer to stay indoors, I highly recommend having the shoot at your home. No leaving the house, no worrying about the weather. You’ll create intimate, cozy memories in the place you & your babies feel the safest in the world.
If your shoot is at home, ensure the home is warm enough so that your baby is comfortable with few or no layers of clothing. Home shoots tend to look best when styling is simple and not too layered up (feel free to refer to my home shoots styling guide for more on this topic), so a warm environment is always a good idea. Aim for a temperature that your baby is fine in just a nappy in, then we’re golden!
As a nice final touch, think about what your baby likes and is soothed by. Does he like music playing softly in the background? Do they have a favourite song that helps settle them, or helps them doze off? Music is an incredible tool to set the tone and get everyone in the right mood - yourself included!
PARENTS
‘DO I HAVE TO BE IN THE PICTURES?’
You don’t have to be in the pictures. But I promise you will WANT to. Imagine receiving a stunning gallery of emotive images of your baby and you’re not in there with them, holding them, sharing this memory with them. You’d be missing out on a great opportunity to be photographed with them, your love and devotion captured for you to witness with your own eyes. And trust me - your baby will give anything to have these images of you two (three?) together when he grows up.
Personally, I always have mum & dad in the images on my newborn shoots, or at least mum if dad is unavailable. Yes, a newborn shoot is about the baby, but it is mostly about the love you share, the way their little hand wraps around your finger, the way their head fits into the nook of your elbow, the way their little face squishes as they rest peacefully on your shoulder, feeling safe, loved and content in your presence. That’s what a newborn shoot is all about.
Now, I know, being in front of the camera is always a vulnerable place to be, especially when you’re just weeks post partum.
But remember: you don’t have to be perfect, slim, rested, smiley or glammed up to deserve your place in a photograph. You deserve to be in the image because you are a woman, a mother. You gave precious life. You give endless love. And that’s what everyone else sees when they look at images of you - your gracious presence, your willingness to give everything and not miss a moment, your loving glances. That’s what your now babies will see when they look back at these images a in a few years’ (or decades’) time.
STYLING
WHAT SHOULD MY BABY AND I WEAR ON A NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT?
The clothes you choose to wear, their colour & texture, make a HUGE difference in how well your shoot will turn out. A well-coordinated wardrobe, made of a small selection of 2 or 3 earthy tones, will have an incredible impact on how natural, dreamy and emotive your images will look.
Now, understandably, in the first few days after giving birth, styling will likely be the very last thing on your mind (and probably so will showering, brushing your hair or putting on clothes in the first place).
But styling doesn’t have to be complicated! With a bit of planning ahead and guidance from your photographer, you can easily put together a wardrobe that elevates your shoot and will give you a great gallery as a result.
I guide my families by sending them a mood board they can follow for inspiration and a list of styling elements to go for and to avoid, and I’m always more than happy (excited, even!) to see sneak peeks of clients’ outfits ahead of the shoot and help out with any styling questions.
I always have a selection of cute nappy covers, rompers etc with me that clients can use on the shoot, and I have a selection of dresses for mamas too. Check out my ‘Wardrobe’ highlight on my Instagram profile.
As a side note, if your baby is breastfed, I highly recommend mum chooses an outfit with easy access for breastfeeding. This may sound obvious in daily life, but it can easily be overseen on shoots. Choosing breastfeeding-friendly clothes will not only improve the session’s flow, but allow for some lovely breastfeeding images (if that’s something mum is wanting to capture, of course).
If your shoot takes place at home, check out my HOME SHOOT GUIDE for info on how what to wear and how to style your home for best results.
OUTFIT CHANGES
Whether your shoot is at home or elsewhere, I recommend you pack 1 outfit change for each person who will be photographed. This is both so you have the option to get changed into a different outfit halfway through, giving the gallery variety and images a fresh look, and in the case of poo-related accidents, majestic spit ups or drool-tsunamis. We know how common those are, and we don’t want them to spoil your shoot!
If it’s not possible to pack an outfit change per person, consider packing at least an extra outfit for baby and spare tops for everyone else.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT?
I recommend you bring to your shoot the same items you’d bring if you were to take your baby out anywhere else, so, basically, the entire home. Joking! Or am I?
I suggest you pack: a brush for baby’s hair, dummy if used, milk if in bottle, outfit changes for everyone, a cute bib if baby is drooling/teething (in line with your wardrobe styling if possible), food if your baby is on solids, nappies and wipes like your life depends on it (it very much does), cloths for burping, and if available, little blankets in plain earthy tones (even though your photographer - me! hi! - will have plenty available at your shoot.
Mostly, bring yourselves, your smiles, and your will to get creative with me. Have trust in the fact that being tired, late, having to change outfits mid-shoot (see: poonamis) will not compromise the beauty of your gallery, nor the wave of emotion that will flood your eyes when you’ll see the images we have captured and you have forever to look back on.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
I got you! Check out my comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions or CONTACT ME to chat. I’d love to hear from you!
Love,
Rose Sol x
