What to Expect During a Newborn Photography Session: A Step-by-Step Guide

Black and white shot of a boy sitting with his newborn baby sister lying in between his outstretched legs

Welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting time for any family, and capturing those first few weeks through professional newborn photography can provide a lifetime of cherished memories. However, for first-time parents, the thought of a newborn photography session can be intimidating. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect during your newborn photography session with Event & Wedding Photography by Karl Drage, from start to finish.

Newborn baby girl asleep in her daddy's arms

What to expect during a newborn photography session

Step 1: Reserve Your Session Slot

The first step in preparing for your newborn photography session is to reserve a newborn photography session slot. It’s best to book your session while you’re still pregnant, ideally in your second trimester (up to week 27/28), to ensure you can secure a spot in the diary. This also gives you time to plan for the session and prepare any special props or outfits you want to include.

The cutest newborn baby girl wearing a purple tutu and matching head band

What to expect during a newborn photography session

Step 2: Set an Actual Date & Time for Your Session

Newborns are most cooperative during the first two weeks of life. It’s therefore best to schedule your actual session during this time. We recommend you get in touch as soon as you are physically able after Baby has arrived.

What to expect during a newborn photography session

Step 3: Complete the Questionnaire

Once the date and time for your session are set, you will receive a questionnaire asking some pertinent questions about who will be attending, what props you like, what colours of fabric you like, whether you want to appear in some of the photographs etc. You are very welcome to bring any additional props with you, but we do please ask that you let us know in advance (there’s also a section for that on the questionnaire). The answers to this will help us prepare the studio for your arrival.

Newborn baby girl snuggled in blankets and wearing a bear hat

What to expect during a newborn photography session

Step 4: Preparing Baby

Try to make sure your baby is well-fed and well-rested before the session to ensure they are comfortable and content. This is not always, possible, we appreciate! Dress your baby in loose-fitting clothes that are easy to remove without disturbing them.

Baby boy stretches his arms while dozing on a blanket

What to expect during a newborn photography session

Step 5: Set the Scene

Karl will work with his assistant to create a comfortable and safe environment for your baby. Be warned, the studio will be warm! Karl will also have selected backdrops, props, and poses that match the responses given in your questionnaire. Occasionally, we might have misjudged Baby’s size slightly, or they might not be happy in a particular position we need to put them in in a certain prop. When this occurs, we’ll simply change the plan mid-session, based on what Baby is telling us. There is usually still plenty of time during the session to move on to additional setups.

Newborn baby boy asleep on a blue wooden bed photo prop

What to expect during a newborn photography session

Step 6: Get Comfortable

During the session, Karl will guide you through various poses and positions for your baby. If you have indicated a desire to appear in some of the photographs, you may be asked to hold your baby or to simply sit back and watch as we work our magic. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing – it’s usually pretty hot in the studio – and bring any necessary items, such as snacks, to keep yourself and your baby comfortable. You will be offered drinks at regular intervals!

Doting new parents each cradle one of their twin daughters as they look down upon them.

What to expect during a newborn photography session

Step 7: Patience is Key

Newborn photography sessions can last up to three hours, depending on Baby’s mood and willingness to co-operate. It’s important to remain patient and calm throughout the session, as babies can be unpredictable and may need breaks for feeding, changing, or soothing. We are completely used to this, so please don’t freak out if it feels like we are losing lots of time during the session! You would be amazed how much we can accomplish in a relatively short space of time once Baby has settled.

The lower half of a wrapped newborn baby, showing exposed toes

What to expect during a newborn photography session

Step 8: Review Your Photos

After the session, you will be presented with a password-protected web gallery containing watermarked versions of the edited images from the session. Take your time reviewing the images and selecting the ones that best capture Baby’s personality and style. You will have the option to purchase additional images above and beyond the five included in the Basic Newborn Photography Package.

A newborn baby girl wearing a knitted ladybird outfit

What to expect during a newborn photography session

Step 9: Enjoy Your Memories

Once the photos are ready, you can display them in your home or share them with family and friends. These images will serve as a lasting reminder of your baby’s first few weeks of life and the love and joy that surrounded them.

An open-eyed wrapped baby girl smiling in a rustic nest newborn baby photo prop

What to expect during a newborn photography session

In conclusion, a newborn photography session can be a wonderful way to capture the precious moments of your baby’s first weeks of life. By following these step-by-step guidelines, you can prepare for the session, set the scene, and enjoy the experience of creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.