Are you getting ready to welcome a new little one into your family? First of all, congrats—what a beautiful season of life you are in! I also know that as much as this time in your lives is exciting and oh so special, it can also be emotional; stressful; overwhelming. Planning a newborn session might be the last thing you want to think about doing right now, but trust me when I say that it’s one of the most amazing ways to capture those initial moments you share together as a family. And planning shouldn’t get in the way of you having these memories to look back on!

That’s why I’ve put together this guide to planning a newborn session, where I’m giving you my top newborn session tips, recommendations, and advice. From outfit suggestions to telling you how long after birth you should plan for, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned over the years as a professional newborn photographer to help make your session a breeze.

8 Tips to Prepare for Your Newborn Session

1. Time your session correctly

Wondering when you should plan your newborn session for? This is probably one of the questions I get asked most often from my clients! Newborn session dates are super volatile, since you can never be 100% sure of when baby will decide to make their grand entrance into this world, so know that plans may change (and that’s okay). I recommend planning for 1-2 weeks after delivery, because by that time, mama will hopefully be rested and on the path to recovery, and baby will be very sleepy and cuddly—and that’s exactly what we want for your newborn session.

2. Feed right before your session

I typically suggest feeding your baby right before our session, and being prepared to possibly feed during our session if they get hungry and need to be settled. If you want to capture some intimate photos while you breastfeed, you can plan to feed once I get there to start off our session! This is fully up to you and what type of photos you’re envisioning with your new little one, so do what’s best for you and what feels right.

3. Keep them awake before your session

One of the best tips I can give you that many new parents don’t think about: try to keep your little babe awake before our session. This way, they’ll be nice and sleepy during your session, just like I mentioned above! All those drowsy eyes and endless snuggles are perfection when it comes to being in front of the camera; they’ll be primed for a cozy nap while I’m snapping photos of their adorable little toes and squishy cheeks, and while you’re holding them close for sweet photos of the whole family together.

4. Plan your outfits in advance

I know what you might be thinking—wait, we need to plan an outfit for our baby?! Yes! Picking the right outfit for your newborn is important in making sure that they’re comfortable the entire time, and that they match with the color scheme you’re envisioning (if you have one in mind/if that is important to you). I say go with cozy outfits all the way for your babe; I don’t recommend putting them in something uncomfortable or scratchy, or something you know will upset them. Keep ‘em all snuggled up in something soft and warm that they’ll be able to relax in, and that will fit their cutsie little toes and tiny head.

As far as outfits for you go, feel free to make a moodboard on Pinterest that encapsulates your vision. Find outfits that align with the mood you’re going for with your session, whether that be a little more elevated and classy, or totally comfy, Saturday-morning-pajama vibes. No worries if you don’t quite know what you want yet—Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration if you just start browsing through newborn session inspiration, or even family photo inspo. Just like your baby, you should wear something that you feel comfortable in as well as confident. For example, if you never wear dresses, don’t feel pressured to wear a dress just for the cameras; maybe opt for your favorite pair of jeans or a skirt you love instead.

Pro tip: Start with a piece that you already know you love to wear, and you feel good in, and build off of that!

I’m personally a huge fan of thrifting outfits for newborn sessions, but if you’d rather shop for new pieces, here are some stores that I love:

Women:

Men:

Baby/Kids:

If you’re struggling with picking out your outfits, don’t worry one bit—I’ll be there to provide my expert opinion and give you recommendations!

5. Consider having a helping hand

To make your newborn session as stress-free and easy as possible, consider having a set of helping hands around, like a friend or family member. It’s super nice to have somebody there with you if you have another kiddo that will need looking after, if you need them to grab things here and there, or just for emotional support along the way. Being in the presence of a loved one is always a great way to let yourself relax, be present, and enjoy this quality time spent with your newborn.

6. Choose a location you love

Where your newborn session takes place is entirely up to you, and should be somewhere that you love—maybe a place that holds special meaning to you, like your favorite park in the city, or somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit together once this new little member of your fam arrived. In-home newborn sessions are a personal favorite of mine; the intimacy and sentiment of capturing your family in this new season of your life is such a beautiful thing. The richness of the emotions you feel as you spend time together in the place you call home is something that can’t be beat, and will be so visible in your photos as you look back on them for years to come. Maybe this is your first baby that you’re bringing home to the place that you’ve lived in together for years, or maybe this is your third and you can’t wait to capture them interacting with your other kiddos in this space. Wherever you choose to take your newborn photos, let it be somewhere that speaks to you; somewhere you’ll be able to create beautiful memories to look back on once the images are framed up on your walls, or placed in a cherished photo album that sits on the coffee table in your living room.

Looking for the best places to take your photos in the greater Austin area? Below are three location guides I’ve put together for family, maternity, and newborn sessions.

Best Family Photo Locations in Austin, Texas

Best Family Photo Locations in New Braunfels, TX

Best Family Photo Locations in San Antonio, TX

7. Tidy up your home

If you do choose to have an in-home session, you’ll want to make sure that any spaces we are going to use are tidied up beforehand. The last thing we want is to begin your session, only to realize there are all kinds of items in the background that might be distracting in your photos! We really only need one or two rooms to work with, so no need to get the whole house spick and span before I arrive—maybe just your nursery, master bedroom, or any other room you’d like to be the backdrop in your photos.

This absolutely does not mean your home has to be perfect; I know you’ve got a bazillion other things to worry about when taking care of a newborn, so know that these are all simply suggestions, and you can take only what makes sense for your unique session! With that said, here are a few items you may want to put away in preparation for our time together (items that may be distracting in the background of your photos):

Loose clutter on dressers, tables, and nightstands
Doggie gates and kennels
Machines such as breast pumps, noise makers, etc.
Diaper genies, air purifiers, and fans

For more tips on how to prepare for your in-home session (be it family, maternity, or newborn), check out this blog post I wrote.

8. Set realistic expectations

Now that we’ve gone through all the practical stuff, I want you to take a moment and set realistic expectations for how your session will go. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of making your home picture-perfect (which it absolutely does not need to be), or of your little one behaving the entire time—take a deep breath, and remember that all babies cry during their newborn session. This is nothing new for me, and it’s nothing to stress about! Try your best to be realistic with the expectations you set and allow yourself to truly enjoy your session. The calmer you are, the calmer your babe will be, and the more you’ll be able to stay present and focus on these moments of connection with the people you love most.

In fact, what are family photos if not an opportunity to capture your family in their most authentic moment? In your family’s current state? Not its perfect state. . . current. Remove the idea of “perfection” from family photos, and it suddenly becomes a whole lot easier, more fun, and more genuine. Take away the pressure to pick the right outfits, or to try and get your other kids to smile for every photo, and I promise your session will go exactly how it’s supposed to go. Because in the end, it’s the people that matter most—your people, and the memories you capture together. When you remember that, everything else that you thought was important suddenly becomes. . . not. And those imperfect, but perfect for you, moments are exactly what I’m there to capture.

New Braunfels Newborn Photographer

Documenting families in their perfectly imperfect beauty is what I’m best at; those moments you share as you snuggle under a blanket together on a rainy day, the ones spent in the kitchen juggling your newborn as you make pancakes on a Saturday morning. Whatever this season of life looks like for you, you deserve to remember it all. Reach out and let’s document these days that are yours to keep, remember, and cherish for the rest of your lives.

How to Plan & Prepare For Your Newborn Session: My Top 8 Tips