What to Expect at a Newborn Session (From Someone Who's Done This a Few Hundred Times)
If you have never had a newborn session before, you probably have a lot of questions. Will my baby cooperate? Does my house need to look perfect? What do we actually wear? How long is this going to take?
These are the questions I hear from almost every family before their session, and I want to answer all of them here. Because the more you know going in, the more relaxed you can be on the day — and a relaxed mama makes for a better session every single time.
Here is exactly what to expect when you book a lifestyle newborn session with me.
Before Your Session
Timing matters more than you think.
The best window for a newborn session is days 7 through 14. Babies are sleepiest in those first two weeks, which makes everything easier — for them, for you, and for me. After three weeks, babies tend to be more alert and harder to settle, and the session takes longer. After five or six weeks is still completely doable, but if you have a choice, earlier is better.
This is also why I ask families to book during pregnancy rather than after the baby arrives. I hold your spot based on your due date so that when your baby is here and you are in the thick of those first days, booking a photographer is one less thing you have to figure out.
What to prepare at home.
Not much. Seriously. I will tell you exactly where I want to start in your home when I arrive, and it is almost always your bedroom — soft, natural light, your bed, your space. A few things worth having ready:
A warm house. Aim for 72 to 74 degrees if you can. Warm babies are sleepy babies.
A fed baby. If you can time a feeding to end about 30 to 45 minutes before I arrive, that is ideal. A full, sleepy baby is the dream.
The swaddle or special blanket you want in photos, set out and ready.
Siblings dressed and ready to go if you want sibling shots early in the session.
That is genuinely it. The dishes in the sink will not make it into your photos. Your laundry pile will not make it into your photos. I have been doing this long enough to know where the light is and what to keep out of the frame.
During Your Session
How long will it take?
Plan for 90 minutes to two hours. Sometimes a little longer. There is no hard stop time on my end, I stay until we have everything we need. Baby runs the schedule, not the clock.
What I actually photograph.
I photograph in a documentary style, which means I am not posing your baby into a pretzel or arranging everyone into a perfect lineup every five minutes. I am watching what happens and capturing it. Here is what that usually looks like:
Baby details: fingers, toes, the curve of a nose, how their hand wraps around yours
Skin-to-skin moments and quiet snuggles
You and your partner looking at your baby, those unguarded, completely in love expressions
Your baby in their space: the crib, the bassinet, the bedroom you spent months putting together
Siblings meeting or holding the baby
Family portraits with everyone together
Some of my favorite images from any session are the ones nobody planned. The toddler who climbs into bed to get closer to the baby. The dad who thinks nobody is watching him while he holds his kid for the first time. Those moments are why I stay for the whole session instead of rushing through a list.
What if my baby cries the whole time?
Then we take our time. Crying means feeding, soothing, changing, and trying again, and that is completely normal. I have photographed hundreds of newborn sessions, and I have never left without beautiful images, including on the fussiest days. I am not in a hurry and I am not going to rush your baby. We just work with what we have.
What if my toddler does not cooperate?
Honestly, some of my best images have come from sessions where the older sibling had a moment. Real is always better than perfect. I will get the sibling shots early while everyone still has patience, and then let them go do their thing while we focus on baby.
What to Wear
Keep it simple and soft. Neutrals, muted tones, textures you like. You do not need to match exactly, coordinating loosely is enough. Avoid large logos, bright patterns, or neon colors.
You do not need to be dressed up. A lot of mamas wear their favorite soft pants and a neutral top, and that is exactly right. You just had a baby. Wear something that makes you feel like yourself.
I send a full wardrobe guide to every family when they book, and I am always happy to look at outfit photos beforehand if you want a second opinion.
After Your Session
When will I get my photos?
Your gallery will be delivered within two weeks of your session, and usually sooner. I know you are eager; I will try to get them back as soon as possible.
What do I get?
You will receive a private online gallery with your fully edited images. Most sessions deliver between 30 and 50 images. From there, I will walk you through your options for prints, albums, and wall art, because images that live on a hard drive are not doing anyone any good.
The One Thing I Want You to Remember
Your only job on session day is to be present. Feed your baby when they are hungry. Hold them when they need it. Relax in your own home. I will handle the rest.
You do not need a clean house, a perfectly behaved toddler, or a baby who sleeps on command. You just need to show up. I have been doing this long enough to make it work no matter what.
If you are expecting and want to talk through what a session would look like for your family, I would love to hear from you. And if you want to learn more about what my newborn sessions actually include, here is everything you need to know.
Written by Erin Turner | Lifestyle Newborn Photographer serving Greenville, Simpsonville, Laurens, and the SC Upstate