Welcoming a newborn into your family is a beautiful, life-changing moment, and capturing these early days with a newborn photography session ensures you’ll have timeless memories to cherish. If you’ve booked an in-home session, you might be wondering how to prepare. Don’t worry—I have a few simple tips will help make the experience stress-free and fun for everyone!

#1 – Morning Sessions Are Best

Newborns are typically sleepiest and most content in the morning, making it the ideal time for newborn photography. It is also the best time if you have other young children in your family, as the later in the day it get’s the less fresh your toddlers are and the harder it might be to keep them happy throughout the session. Natural light is also at its best earlier in the day, creating a soft, dreamy glow for your photos. If possible, schedule your session for the morning to take advantage of both your baby’s natural rhythm and beautiful lighting!

#2 – Make Sure Everyone Is Fed

A well-fed baby is a happy baby! Try to feed your newborn right before the session starts to help them feel calm and settled. I always suggest starting a feed right before I am set to arrive. If you are still feeding baby at the session time, that is ok! There are other detail shots I can get at this time, and I will be ready to start whenever you and baby are. The same goes for parents and siblings—having a snack beforehand can keep everyone in good spirits. If your baby gets hungry during the session, that’s totally fine! We can take breaks as needed to ensure everyone stays comfortable and happy.

#3 – Keep The House Warm For Newborn Photography

Newborns love warmth, and a cozy environment helps them stay relaxed. I will almost always do photos with baby in just a diaper or wrapped in a blanket, so keeping the house a little warmer than usual will help your baby stay comfortable. Around 24°C (75°F) is usually ideal. If baby seems cold or uncomfortable at any time, I will always make sure that we pause to take time to get them happy and comfortable again.

#4 – Don’t Worry About Things Being Perfect

Your home doesn’t have to look like a magazine or like other homes you see online. Newborn photography is all about capturing real, heartfelt moments with your family. If there’s clutter, we can easily adjust where we shoot to keep the focus on you and your baby. The goal is to document this special time in an authentic and natural way—so just relax and enjoy the experience! I always try to make my sessions feel as fun and comfortable as possible, to ensure that both the memories and the photos turn out beautiful.

Final Thoughts On Newborn Photography

Preparing for an in-home newborn photography session doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By scheduling in the morning, ensuring everyone is well-fed, keeping your home warm, and embracing imperfection, you’ll set the stage for a beautiful and stress-free session.

If you have any questions or special requests for your upcoming newborn photography session, feel free to reach out—I’d love to help make this experience as seamless and memorable as possible! You can inquire about a newborn session with me below!

Kory is a lifestyle family & newborn photographer based in the Fraser Valley, B.C. Canada. She specializes in fun and relaxed sessions and aims to capture genuine moments during her sessions. You can inquire about working with Kory here!