Those first few weeks after giving birth to your newborn baby can seem like a whirlwind. Organising a newborn photo shoot captures these precious early days with simple, natural photographs as you’ll want to remember just how tiny your baby was when they were first born.
Newborn photography is unlike any other form of portraiture. Instead of guiding poses and expressions, we follow our tiniest subjects as they sleep, stretch and settle. These little clients haven’t learned how to take direction yet and that’s where the magic lies.
So let me explain what you can expect at a newborn photo shoot with me.
A CALMING ATMOSPHERE FOR YOUR NEWBORN PHOTO SHOOT
I photograph newborn babies at my home studio in Highett or I can visit you in your home, it’s whatever suits you.
When you iirst arrive at my home studio, you’ll notice a few things:
A large beanbag that is covered in freshly washed blankets. This enables me to photograph your baby from different angles and is nice and cosy for the comfort of your baby.
Lots of blankets and soft stretchy wraps; I use these to swaddle, wrap and pose your baby throughout the photo shoot.
A collection of baby onesies for you to choose from for your baby.
A couch for you to sit back and relax on whilst I photograph your baby. It’s also used for some cosy family shots too.
IS THERE A POSING SEQUENCE?
Newborn sessions are always baby-led. I usually begin by photographing your baby on their own, but the priority is that your little one is settled and content. If that means stopping for a feed, a nappy change, or spending time rocking your baby to sleep, that’s exactly what we’ll do.
Once your baby is comfortable, I’ll start by wrapping them in a soft, stretchy wrap and carefully placing them on the beanbag. From there, I gently and slowly transition your baby into a variety of natural positions, pausing in each pose to capture a beautiful series of images—always moving at your baby’s pace.
SO WHAT DOES A BABY-LED APPROACH MEAN?
Occasionally a baby will sleep peacefully through an entire session, but more often they’ll wake for a feed or because something is bothering them such as gas or a wet nappy. This is completely normal and expected. That’s why I always allow a few hours for each newborn session. Having this generous amount of time means I can work entirely around your baby’s individual needs, with as many breaks as required for feeding, settling, or cuddles.
There’s no time limit with the session, sometimes a session can go for 3 hours or other times much less. By allowing plenty of time, there’s no pressure on your baby (or on you). You can relax, feel at ease, and simply enjoy the experience while I gently capture these precious early moments.
DOES A NEWBORN SESSION INCLUDE FAMILY?
Absolutely. A newborn session is about capturing all the love, emotion, and connection each family member feels for this precious little person who has just joined your family. During this part of the session, I’ll photograph the whole family together, parents with their new baby, and sibling portraits if you have older children.
Some families also choose to include grandparents, which can be incredibly meaningful. Welcoming a new baby is such a special time for the entire family and it’s beautiful to document those relationships.
When photographing family portraits, I provide plenty of gentle guidance—where to stand or sit, how to hold your baby, and what to do to create the most natural and flattering compositions. You don’t need to worry about feeling awkward or uncomfortable in front of the camera; I’ll guide you every step of the way so you can simply relax and enjoy the moment.
SO HOW TO GET STARTED
If you’re ready to book your newborn photo shoot contact jenn@watchthemgrowphotography.com.au or ph: 0400 841627, or click on the link below for more info.
Click here to learn more about booking a newborn photo shoot
