If you've never had newborn photos taken before, the whole thing can feel like a mystery. How long does it take? What will you actually be doing? Will your baby cooperate? And honestly, what if everything falls apart?

I get it. You're already navigating so much in those early days—the last thing you need is uncertainty about what to expect when I show up at your door.

So let me walk you through it. Not the highlight reel version, but the real, honest, baby-led experience of what a newborn session with me actually looks like.

Befofre I arrive

You've already booked your session (ideally for sometime in that 5-14 day window after birth, though we can make beautiful images work outside of that too). A day or two before, I'll reach out to confirm timing and answer any last-minute questions.

The morning of, your only job is to feed your baby right before I arrive. A full baby is a calm, sleepy baby—and that makes everything easier for everyone.

You don't need to stress about your house being perfect. You don't need to have yourself "put together." You just need to be there, and I'll handle the rest.

the way your house looks right now tells part of your story too

When I walk in 

First thing? I'm going to take a breath with you. Literally. If you're feeling nervous or overwhelmed, we're going to slow down and reset before we even touch a camera.

I'll bring in all my gear—props, wraps, blankets, backdrops—and we'll talk through the flow of the session. I'll ask about your baby's temperament, how they've been sleeping, and what you're hoping to capture. This isn't an interrogation; it's just me getting to know your little one so I can work with them, not against them.

Then we'll figure out where we're shooting. Usually, it's your bedroom (the bed makes a beautiful, comfortable spot), a cozy chair near a window, or a clear area on the floor. I'm looking for soft, natural light and a space where you feel at ease.

The baby-led approach 

Here's the thing: I don't force poses. I don't rush. I don't expect your newborn to perform on cue.

Instead, I follow your baby's lead. If they're calm and sleepy, we'll move through different setups—solo shots, family portraits, close-ups of those tiny fingers and toes. If they need a break to eat or be soothed, we pause. No pressure. No clock ticking.

Some babies settle right in. Others need a little more time to get comfortable. Both are completely normal, and I've worked with every temperament you can imagine. My job is to create a calm environment where your baby feels safe—and where you can actually exhale and be present.

What we'll capture

We'll start with some solo shots of your baby—wrapped, peaceful, those classic newborn images that feel timeless. I'll position them gently, always supporting their head and body, always watching their cues.

Then we'll bring you in. These are the moments I love most: you holding your baby close, your partner cradling them for the first time in front of the camera, the way your older child leans in to kiss their new sibling's head.

If you have pets, we can include them too. I'll keep it low-pressure and playful—no one's expecting your dog to sit perfectly still. We're just capturing the love.

Throughout the session, I'll guide you gently. Where to place your hands, how to hold your baby, when to just look at them and soak it in. You're not expected to know what to do—that's my job. Yours is just to be present.

How long it takes 

Most sessions run about 2-3 hours, but that's not 2-3 hours of nonstop posing. It's a slow, gentle rhythm of shooting, pausing, feeding, soothing, and trying again.

There's no rushing. If your baby needs time, we give them time. If you need a moment to rest or grab water or just breathe, we take it.

This isn't a conveyor belt. It's a sacred, tender season, and I treat it that way.

If things don't go as planned

Sometimes babies are fussy. Sometimes they won't settle. Sometimes the session feels harder than you expected.

And that's okay.

I've been doing this long enough to know that not every moment will be picture-perfect—and honestly, some of the most beautiful images come from the in-between. The way you soothe your baby when they cry. The look on your partner's face when they finally get them to calm down. The realness of it all.

If we need to take a longer break, we will. If we need to reschedule part of the session for another day, we can do that too. There's grace here. Always.

After the session

Once we've captured everything, I'll pack up and leave you to rest. Within 2-3 weeks, you'll receive a private online gallery with your images. I'll walk you through how to view them, select your favorites, and order prints or products.

And if you have questions along the way—about anything—I'm just an email or text away..

what you'll actually feel 

Here's what I hope happens during our session: I hope you feel seen. I hope you feel supported. I hope the weight you've been carrying feels just a little bit lighter because someone else is holding the space for you.

I hope you look at your baby and realize how much you've already done—how much love you're already giving—even in the blur and exhaustion of these early days.

And I hope that when you look back at these images years from now, you don't just see what your baby looked like. You remember what this season felt like. The tenderness. The vulnerability. The sacred, fleeting magic of the very beginning. away..

You don't have to be ready

If you're reading this and thinking, "I'm not ready for photos yet," I want you to hear me: You don't have to be.

You don't need to have it all figured out. You don't need to look perfect or feel prepared. You just need to show up, and I'll take care of the rest.

That's what I'm here for.