So, you’re thinking about booking a newborn session—or maybe you’ve already booked one and now you’re wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into. Either way, let’s talk about it. Newborn photography isn’t just about showing up and snapping a few cute photos. There’s a lot that goes into it, and if you know what to expect, you’ll be able to get the most out of your session.

First Things First

I currently do all newborn sessions in client's home. Not in a studio, or some carefully curated space, but in the comfort of your own home, where you and your baby are most at ease. And there’s a reason for that. The postpartum period is a delicate, exhausting, and emotional time, and for many mamas the stress of packing up a newborn and hauling them somewhere unfamiliar is just too much. Staying home means you can settle into the session without rushing, with everything you need right at hand. It also means the images we create are deeply personal, woven into the very space where your baby is most comfortable. Where you rock them in the quiet hours and your life as a family begins.

Why Does a Newborn Session Need to Happen So Soon?

Newborn sessions typically happen within the first two weeks after birth. Why? Because that’s when babies are in their squishy, sleepy, brand-new stage—the phase that passes in the blink of an eye. They still curl up naturally, sleep more deeply, and haven’t yet discovered their talent for flailing limbs and resisting swaddles.

That said, if life happens and two weeks slip by before you even realize it (which is very possible in the postpartum haze), don’t stress. We can still do beautiful newborn sessions with older babies; we might just adapt things a little.

What Actually Happens at a Newborn Session?

If you’re picturing a quick, 30-minute shoot where I come in, take a few cute pictures, and leave—nope. Not quite.

A newborn session, particularly a posed studio style session, takes time. It’s slow, it’s calm, and its completely baby led. If your baby needs to feed, we pause. If they need a cuddle, we pause. If they poop on everything (because they often do...), we clean up and carry on.

Typically, a session lasts between 2 to 4 hours, and that’s not because I like to keep you hostage. It’s just that babies don’t care about schedules, and we work around them.

The Part No One Sees: Everything That Goes into a Newborn Session

People often see the final, polished images and think, Wow! That must be such a dreamy job—snuggling babies and taking pretty pictures all day! And while yes, it’s an incredible privilege, the work that goes into each newborn session is so much more than just showing up and pressing a shutter button.

Before the Session

Long before I even step into your home, there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes. Every session starts with careful planning. I take time to understand what you want from your session—whether that’s a focus on intimate family moments, sibling interactions, or soft, minimal newborn portraits. I send preparation guidance, answer questions, and make sure you know exactly what to expect.

Then comes packing and sanitizing. Every single wrap, blanket, swaddle, or headband etc. that might be used, gets washed and carefully packed. My gear—camera, lenses, memory cards, and lighting—is checked, cleaned, and prepped. Since I come to you, everything I need has to be organized, packed, and ready to go.

The Session Itself: Physical Work You Don’t See

Newborn photography is gentle but physically demanding.

The session itself takes 2 to 4 hours, and a huge part of that is spent moving, crouching, adjusting, and working to keep your baby comfortable while also capturing beautiful images. If I’m not gently rocking a baby into a more settled state, I’m carefully positioning them in a way that feels natural and safe. I'm constantly in motion—soothing, adjusting, supporting.

Then there’s the lighting. Since I work in your home, I adapt to the natural light available, utilizing additional lighting setups, moving furniture if needed, adjusting curtains, and finding the best possible angles. It’s a delicate balance between being unobtrusive in your space while also making sure I’m working in a way that creates an environment that will produce the beautiful images you're hoping for.

And of course, let’s not forget safety. Newborn photography requires an awareness of a baby’s comfort at all times. There’s never any forcing a pose or keeping them in a position they don’t like. Their warmth, circulation, and overall well-being are the priority, which means I’m constantly adjusting to keep them content.

After the Session: The Work Has Only Just Begun

Once I leave your home, my work is far from over.

First, everything used during the session gets cleaned and sanitized—all the wraps, blankets, and gear are washed and packed away, ready for the next baby.

Then comes the computer work. All of the images are uploaded and backed up. I then go through tons of images, carefully choosing the best ones. Next, the editing process begins. Every selected image is worked on individually. I adjust lighting and color, soften red or flaky newborn skin (because brand-new babies are often very blotchy!), and ensure the final images are timeless and beautiful.

All of this takes hours. For every newborn session, there are many hours of work involved that happens behind the scenes.

So, when you receive your final gallery, you’re not just getting "some photos." You’re getting a carefully crafted collection of images that have been planned, created, and perfected with love and intention.

"Why Can’t I Have the Unedited Photos?"

Ah, the age-old question. And I get why people ask. You might be thinking, If you’ve already taken the photos, why not just give me all of them?

The short answer? Because they’re not finished.

The long answer? Editing is part of the art. The raw photos straight out of the camera are unfinished work—like a cake before it’s been iced. No one serves a half-frosted cake at a party, right? Same with photos.

Newborn photography isn’t just about clicking a button; it’s about creating aesthetic, polished, timeless images that you’ll love for years. Giving you raw, unedited files would be like a chef serving you ingredients instead of a meal. It’s just not the full experience.

"Why Do You Take So Many Photos If I Only Get a Few?"

Another great question!

When I’m shooting, I take a ton of images because babies are tiny, wiggly, unpredictable humans. I might snap 10 shots of the same pose just to get one perfect image where everything aligns—no weird hand positions, no closed eyes, no mid-sneeze or twitchy moments.

Then comes the culling process, where I go through all the images and carefully select the very best ones—the ones that tell the most beautiful story of your baby. It’s not about quantity; it’s about quality.

Think of it like this: Would you rather have 20 beautiful images that make your heart melt or 200 mediocre ones where you have to sift through blurry, repetitive, or unflattering shots?

What If Things Don’t Go as Planned?

Let’s be real. Life with a newborn is unpredictable.

Sometimes, a baby might be extra unsettled that day. Sometimes, a parent might feel exhausted and overwhelmed. And sometimes, despite all the planning, a session might not go exactly how we imagined.

If that happens, it’s okay. My approach is always gentle, professional, and solution focused. If something isn’t working, we adjust. The goal is never to just deliver a service and move on—it’s to create something meaningful and beautiful that you’re happy with.

And that means working together with understanding and care, especially in those tender postpartum days when emotions can run high.

Why a Newborn Session Is Always Worth It

Here’s the thing about beautiful photos: They are one of the few things in life that grow in value over time.

Right now, in the whirlwind of newborn life, it might feel like just another thing on the list. But in five, ten, twenty years, when that tiny baby is suddenly a full-grown human, these photos will feel priceless to you.

One day, your child will look back at these images and see how deeply loved they were from the very beginning.

That’s why newborn photography is always worth it. And that’s why, when you book a session, you’re not just booking “some pictures.” You’re investing in a piece of your family’s history.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far—congrats! You’re now fully prepped on what to expect from your newborn session.

The biggest takeaway? Trust the process, enjoy the experience, and know that these images are something you will never regret having.



If you have any questions or want to chat more about booking a session, let’s talk. I’d love to help you document this very special and fleeting season.

With love

D