The Ultimate newborn Photoshoot Prep Guide
Because the first few weeks of your baby's life will pass faster than anyone tells you, and they deserve to be documented properly!
15 min read
Hi mama, I'm so excited you're here. Thank you for trusting me to step into your home and capture your tiny new human. I take this work very seriously, and my goal is to give you photos you'll want to hold onto forever. ✨
Let me tell you something I know to be true about newborn photos.
Most parents forget these first weeks. Not because they didn't matter, but because the exhaustion is that intense. The tiredness is real and total. You're in pure survival mode, and survival mode leaves almost no room to "remember things fondly." You blink and they're six weeks old and you can barely recall what their cry sounded like at three days old.
That's where I come in.
My job is to give you a window back to this exact moment. The tiny feet. The mini hands curled in on themselves. The newborn smell you wish you could bottle. The little snuffles and squeaks. The way you and your partner look at this baby like you can't believe they're real. The version of your family that only exists right now, for a few weeks, before everyone changes forever.
You won't remember it the way you think you will. But you will look at these photos for the rest of your life.
So grab a coffee (or a third one, no judgement), settle into a comfy spot, and let's plan something beautiful together ♥️
What to Expect From Your Newborn Session
Newborn sessions with me are lifestyle, in your home, and entirely baby-led. Here's the quick rundown:
Length: Between 1 and 2 hours, depending on baby. I never put a timer on it.
Where: In your home. We'll move through the living room (where we start so everyone gets comfortable), the nursery, and your main bedroom. Outdoor add-ons are welcome too (more on this below).
Who's in the photos: A mix of baby alone, baby with mom, baby with dad, baby with older siblings, the whole family together, and pets if you have them.
The vibe: Slow, soft, natural. No props. No staged poses. No baby wrapped in odd positions. Just your family, your home, and your baby being a baby.
What "Baby-Led" Actually Means
I don't push through anything. If baby needs a diaper change, we take a break. If baby needs to eat, we take a break and those become some of my favourite photos. If mom needs to sit down, breathe, or have a moment, we take a break. The session moves at your baby's pace, not mine.
If baby is fussy the whole time, that's okay. Newborns cry. It's literally their only way of asking for what they need. I've never met a fussy newborn whose session didn't turn out beautifully.
If baby falls asleep, even better. Sleeping newborn photos are dreamy and we have all the time in the world.
When to Book Your Session
The sweet spot is between week 2 and week 5 postpartum.
Here's why that window:
Babies are still in their newborn phase. They sleep a lot, curl up small, and still have that brand-new look.
You've had a bit of time to recover. The first week is intense. By week 2-3, most moms are starting to feel slightly more human (or at least more willing to be photographed). If you're feeling great earlier, we can move it up.
By week 6, babies are wide-eyed and alert (gorgeous, but a different vibe). They've also lost some of that newborn curliness.
I recommend booking your session during pregnancy and we'll lock in a tentative date for around 2-3 weeks after your due date. Once baby arrives, we confirm the exact day. Babies don't follow schedules and I'm flexible.
Indoor (My Specialty) + Outdoor Options
In-Home
This is what newborn sessions with me are built around. There's nothing like capturing a baby in the exact home where they'll grow up. The light through your windows. The corner where you nurse. The nursery you spent months getting just right. The bed where most of the snuggling happens. This is the version of your life that you'll want to remember.
If you want a shower or bathtub moment with baby (think soft natural light, warm water, skin-to-skin), we can absolutely do that. These photos are some of the most intimate and stunning I create. More motherhood than newborn in feel, but breathtaking.
Outdoor
If you're feeling adventurous, we can step outside. Your backyard, a quiet park nearby, a familiar walking spot. I love a hybrid session where we start indoors, capture the cozy stuff, then move outside for a few breaths of fresh air and natural light.
If you're recovering and outdoor sounds like too much, skip it entirely. No pressure. Most of my newborn sessions are 100% in-home and they're gorgeous.
A Few Quick Rules
NO matching pyjamas. I had to say it. We're going for soft and effortless, not coordinated holiday card.
Beyond that, the vibe is:
Soft, neutral tones that don't compete with baby (cream, white, soft taupe, sage, dusty pink, oat).
Or rich, intentional colour if it reflects your family's personality. I've been loving colourful outfits lately. Just nothing neon, no crazy patterns, no logos.
Comfortable fabrics that move and feel good against your skin and baby's. Linen, cotton, soft knits, silk.
Easy access for feeding if you're breastfeeding. Open shirts, robes, anything that lets you nurse without a full outfit change.
Some Ideas
A soft cotton t-shirt or sweater + jeans
A flowy slip dress or nightgown
A robe over a simple bralette
Linen pants + a tank
A neutral knit dress
For Baby
Less is more. I love:
A diaper or a simple diaper cover
A soft cotton or knitted onesie
A muslin swaddle
Skin-to-skin (more on this below)
For Older Kids
Same neutrals or coordinated colours as the parents. Comfortable, soft, easy to move in. No outfits they hate or anything stiff.
My Client Closet (For YouR BABY)
This is one of my favourite things to offer. I have a curated newborn client closet full of beautiful handpicked outfits and swaddles you can borrow at no extra cost. You'll see the option to choose pieces in your client document (the same email where you received this guide, contract, questionnaire, and final payment).
And If You Want More Options
I've also curated a full list of outfits I love 👉 SHOP MY EDIT HERE. You can shop directly through these links (I get a tiny commission, but the price is exactly the same for you).
You can also send me a few outfit photos and I'll tell you what will work best on camera. I've got you.
Skin-to-Skin and Breastfeeding
These are some of the most beautiful, intimate, and treasured photos from any newborn session, and I want to encourage them both.
Skin-to-Skin
Mom in soft underwear or a bralette, baby on her chest. That's it. That's the photo. It's quiet, sacred, and one of those images you'll never stop being grateful you have. Dads can do skin-to-skin too. Older siblings can press their cheek to baby. The connection lives in the touch and we'll capture all of it.
Breastfeeding
If you're nursing, please bring it into the session. Feeding is not an interruption. It's part of the story.
Whether you're exclusively breastfeeding, pumping, combination feeding, or wrapping up a feeding journey, you deserve to have this part of motherhood documented. Breastfeeding photos can be soft and partially covered, focused on hands, shot from behind, or completely intimate. You're always in control of what we capture and what you share.
If you're feeling shy about it, I wrote a whole blog to help you feel ready 👉 How to Feel Confident Breastfeeding During Photos in Montreal.
Setting Up Your Space
Don't stress about your home looking "Pinterest perfect." It doesn't need to. Here's what actually helps:
Quick Tidy of the Rooms We'll Use
Living room. Where we start. Clear surfaces enough that the camera can breathe.
Nursery. Make the crib, tuck away anything you don't want in photos.
Main bedroom. Make the bed with your nicest neutral or soft-toned bedding.
Light Is Everything
Open all the blinds and curtains the morning of the session. Natural light is the magic ingredient.
Turn off overhead lights and lamps. They cast weird yellow tones.
If your home is naturally dark, that's okay. I work with whatever light we have. Just let me know ahead of time.
A Few Extras
Set the thermostat a little warmer than usual. Around 24-26°C (75-78°F). Naked or semi-naked babies are happy babies.
Have white noise ready (a sound machine, an app, a hair dryer through the wall, whatever works for your baby).
Have feeding supplies, diapers, wipes, and burp cloths within arm's reach. We'll need them.
Set out the outfits and swaddles you want to use so we're not hunting for things mid-session.
Including the Whole Family
Partner and Older Siblings
Yes, please. Newborn sessions are about the new family, not just the baby. Some of my favourite moments are:
Dad holding the baby for the first photo with him
Older sibling meeting baby (or "showing" the baby off if they've already had time together)
The whole family piled into the bed together
Mom and dad looking at each other with that "we made this human" look
If you have older kids, follow the same prep tips from my family prep guide. Pack snacks, brief them on what's happening, and let them be themselves. A toddler holding a newborn is one of the most magical things I get to photograph.
Pets
Yes, bring them in. Your dog (or cat) is part of the family and they belong in the photos. A few quick tips:
Have treats and a favourite toy close by.
Groom them a day or two before the session.
If your pet is high-energy or anxious around the baby, let me know ahead of time. We'll start their portion of the session early, when they're still calm.
A Few Practical Things
The Day Before
Set out the outfits you want to use (yours, baby's, the family's).
Wash any newborn outfits ahead of time so they're soft and don't smell new.
Plan a feeding right before I arrive if possible. Full baby = calm baby.
Try to rest. Easier said than done with a newborn, I know.
When I Arrive
Don't worry about the house. Tidied is enough. Lived-in is better. The mess is part of the story.
Don't worry about how you look. I'll guide you through every shot. Hair tie on your wrist, no makeup necessary, sweatpants are welcome.
Don't worry about the baby. If baby cries, sleeps, poops, spits up, or feeds for 40 minutes straight, all of it is part of the session. I promise.
What Happens After the Session?
Once we wrap, I'll professionally edit your images with care and a whole lot of love. Within a few weeks, you'll get an online gallery where you can:
Download your favourite images
Order fine art prints, wall art, and albums directly through your gallery
Share with the family members who have been blowing up your phone for photos
A serious moment from me: please print these. Make an album. Frame the prints. Hang them on the wall.
Your baby is going to grow up faster than you can imagine. One day they'll be 8 years old, and they're going to want to see how tiny they were. They're going to want proof of the way you and your partner looked at them in those first weeks. They're going to want to see this exact version of your family.
Give them that. Give yourself that.
A Note for Postpartum Camera-Shy Moms
I need to talk to you for a minute, mama. The most common things I hear from newborn clients before their session:
"I haven't lost the baby weight." "I have a double chin now." "I look exhausted." "I don't feel like myself yet."
I hear you. I've been there twice. And I want you to hear something:
Your kid is not going to look at these photos and notice your double chin. They're going to see the way you looked at them. The way you held them. The fact that you were there, present, exhausted, in love, doing the most impossibly hard work of your life. That's what these photos preserve. Not the version of you that society wants you to be three weeks postpartum. The real you, in the realest season of your life.
The version of you who is in survival mode is also the version of you who is doing the most important work you will ever do. That deserves to be photographed.
I will guide you through every moment. I'll find your best angles, prompt you when you're not sure what to do, and remind you (probably multiple times) that you look beautiful. Because you do.
You will not regret these photos. I promise.
Don't Stress, Mama
All of these are recommendations, not rules. Please do not stress about getting the perfect shot, having the perfect outfit, or being the perfect mom. That is not what newborn photos are about.
These photos are about truth. The truth of how small your baby is right now. The truth of what your family looks like in this exact moment. The truth of the love that has rearranged your whole life in the last few weeks.
If you have any questions, please reach out. ♥️
Jen!