Newborn Photo Prep Tips: Richmond Family Photographer
Congratulations on your new arrival! As you prepare for your baby’s first professional portraits, these newborn photo prep tips will help ensure a smooth, stress-free 1-hour lifestyle experience—30-40 images—in your in-home setting or my downtown Richmond studio with a bed and couch.
Newborn Photo Prep Tips Timing
Timing is everything with newborn photography. The ideal window falls within the first two weeks after birth, when babies are sleepiest—though my lifestyle approach allows scheduling up to 4 weeks. Contact me during pregnancy to get on my calendar, then text once baby arrives with their actual birth date—you’ll get a prep guide too!
For twins or premature babies, we might adjust this timeline slightly. The most important factor is making sure your little one is healthy and you’re feeling recovered enough to enjoy the experience.
Newborn Photo Prep Tips In-Home
If you’ve chosen an in-home newborn session, a few simple preparations will help us achieve beautiful results per these newborn photo prep tips. Clear clutter from the main spaces where we’ll be shooting—typically the master bedroom, nursery, and living room. Simple, neutral backgrounds allow the focus to remain on your precious baby.
Natural light creates the most beautiful newborn portraits, so we’ll likely work near large windows. Before your session, observe which rooms get the best light during the morning and afternoon, and share this information with me.
What to Bring to Studio Sessions
For studio sessions, packing the right items makes all the difference:
- Plenty of diapers and wipes
- Extra formula or expressed milk if bottle feeding
- Pacifier (even if you don’t typically use one)
- Burp cloths for inevitable little messes
- Comfort items that help soothe your baby
- Change of clothes for parents (in case of spit-up!)
If there are special items you’d like incorporated—perhaps a family heirloom blanket, special stuffed animal, or significant toy—bring those along too. These personal touches make your images even more meaningful.
Day-Of Newborn Photo Prep Tips
On the day of your session, try to keep baby awake for 1-2 hours beforehand if possible. While this might sound counterintuitive, a tired baby will sleep more deeply during the session, allowing for easier photography of solo shots or family moments on your bed or my studio couch.
Feed baby right before the session begins. A full baby is a happy, sleepy baby! Dress your little one in loose-fitting, front-buttoning clothes to avoid having to pull tight clothing over their head when changing.
What to Expect During Your Session
Newborn sessions typically last 1 hour with my lifestyle approach, allowing plenty of time for feeding, changing, and soothing baby naturally—capturing real moments with parents or siblings if desired. Don’t worry about crying—it’s completely expected and built into our timeline!
The studio—or in-home space—will be kept very warm (around 80 degrees) to keep your newborn comfortable during photography. Dress in layers you can remove if you get too warm.
As your photographer, I’ll handle all the photography, always prioritizing your baby’s safety and comfort. Every move is gentle and careful, working with your baby’s natural movements rather than forcing positions.
After Your Session
About two weeks after your session, you’ll receive your online gallery of 30-40 beautifully edited images. Take your time selecting your favorites for prints, albums, or digital files.
Consider how you’d like to display these precious portraits in your home. Many families create a wall gallery in the nursery or a central living area. A custom album also makes a beautiful heirloom that documents these fleeting first days.
These newborn photo prep tips will help ensure your session results in beautiful, timeless images that capture the miracle of your new baby while creating a relaxed, enjoyable experience for your family.
Discover more with our Richmond family photo outfit guide!
If you’re looking for a studio in the Richmond area for your newborn, family, maternity or other type of session, check out The Studio on Broad!
