I have been a professional newborn photographer in Orange County, CA for more than 10 years.
Throughout the years, I have learned some tips and tricks that parents can do before, during and after the newborn photo shoot that will help things go much easier!
When it comes to newborn photography here at Freebird Studios, the baby is ALWAYS in charge. That means that sometimes, no matter what we do, the baby may not be up to having their picture taken.
No worries though, because I have experience with every kind of baby- so sleepy they don’t make a peep and wide awake, ready to party!
Table of contents
Before the Newborn Photo Shoot
Sleepy newborns are the best models
The best newborn sessions happen when baby is nice and sleepy.
I will try to get images with baby’s eyes open toward the end of the session, but, for the most part, we want baby sleepy because that’s when they are calm and cooperative.
If baby is awake, I will wrap up babies for their session because they tend to move so much that we can’t get our best shots.
To help your baby sleep during the session:
Please try to keep baby awake for at least 1.5 hours at home before you leave the house. If baby is awake before the session with you, they will usually sleep longer and deeper during their photoshoot- which we want!
If you’re baby is having a hard time staying awake before the session, here’s a few things that you can do to wake them up:
- Change their clothes. Nothing wakes up baby more than taking their clothes off for a diaper change.
- Tickle their feet or give them a good foot massage.
- By far, a bath is a great way to wake them up and prep them for the session.
Feed the baby till they’re full
We’ve all heard of the expression ‘Milk Drunk.’
Well, milk drunk babies are the best kind of babies when it comes to a newborn photography session.
Try to feed baby as much as possible just before you leave the house. That way they are super full and then can sleep on the way to the photo shoot and hopefully stay asleep for the majority of the shoot.
Pack a Soothie pacifier
I know that parents have different opinions when it comes to using pacifiers.
When it comes to newborn photography, a pacifier can make all the difference in the world. Sometimes all a baby needs is a few seconds with the pacifier to settle into a pose.
In my opinion, babies tend to do best with the Soothie type pacifiers. I ask that parents bring a pacifier to the session even if they think their baby won’t use it.
If they forget, I have individually wrapped, sterile pacifiers for baby to use.
How to dress the baby for the photo shoot
Once you’ve given baby a nice long bath, dress them up in a button-up or zip-up outfit with NO onesie underneath.
I want it to be as easy as possible to get started right away after you arrive. If I have to wrangle a baby out of a tight onesie- they will usually get irriated, or worse, wake up before the session has already started!
Instead, some of my favorite outfits are the two-pieces with magnetic closures from magneticme.com.
What parents should wear for the photo shoot
I always encourage families to join in the newborn session to document the new family dynamic.
Neutral colored clothing works best for family pictures. I ask families to wear white, cream, black or grey outfits if they are planning to be photographed during the newborn photo shoot.
You will most likely only be photographed from the waist up, so don’t worry too much about your pants/bottoms or shoees.
Neutral colors are timeless and tend to look good for years to come and match most home décor so they can be printed large and fit in perfectly in any home.
During the Newborn Photoshoot
Wrangle the Toddlers
If big brother or sister is going to be joining us in the studio for the session, it’s important to try and keep them as entertained as possible so that they don’t interrupt the newborn session.
Newborn photography sessions can take up to 2 hours, depending on the baby’s temperament. So, siblings may have a hard time sitting still for that long. I do have toys at the studio, as well as a television with streaming programs, but sometimes bringing a small, new toy might help to occupy the child and feel extra special.
If you have a very active toddler, it may even be a good idea for another family member to take the sibling out for a play date to a local park while we photograph the newborn.
I have some snacks and candy that can be used to bribe siblings when all else fails.
Go Ahead and Take a Nap
One of the best things you can do during the session is to take a nap. What? Yes! You can relax knowing that your baby is being well cared for during their session. I actually take it as a huge compliment when parents are able to fall asleep while I work with the baby during the session. Whether it’s due to their complete trust in me or sleep deprivation, I love it.
Trust the Photographer
Another way parents can help make the session a success is to trust your photographer. I’ve been photographing babies for more than 10 years and my experience has helped me trouble-shoot and streamline the process.
I always welcome parent’s ideas during the pre-planning.
However, sometimes when we try to add things during the session or change set-ups, it tends to throw my workflow off a bit. So I always ask for any color, props, or pose preferences prior to the session.
Keep talking to a minimum
I work hard to make sure I create a soothing environment in the studio as a way to keep the baby as content and calm as possible.
This includes diffusing essential oils and playing white noise and keeping talking to a minimum. If baby requires a feeding break, that’s my chance to chat with the parents, but, other than that, I keep chatter to a minimum so that I can focus on the session.
It helps so much if parents keep speaking with me during the session to a minimum.
After the Session
Share Your Sneak Peeks
Photographers share sneak peeks from sessions so that clients can see a bit of the magic that happened during their session.
It’s also a great opportunity for parents to show off their new bundle of joy. One of the best things you can do for a photographer is to share their work directly from their social media. For example, if they post a sneak peek on Instagram, share the image directly from their feed to your feed.
Refer Your Friends and Family
If you don’t share directly from their feed, or if you share images after you’ve received them, be sure to tag the photographer’s page. It means the world to photographers to have our work credited when sharing. One of the biggest endorsements we get as photographers is a personal referral. When you tag a photographer, you are helping their business more than you may realize.
I Love Reviews!
A review can help a small business more than you realize. Many potential clients read through a variety of reviews when they are considering their photographers. Leaving a review, no matter how big or small, could really help your photographer. I appreciate every single person that takes time out of their day to leave me a review.
Wrapping Up
No two babies are ever the same, and that’s exactly why I love what I do. With a little prep and my tips here, we are on the right track to have an amazing session!
If you’re expecting and thinking about newborn photos, I’d love to meet you!
Crisanta Mecate is the owner and lead photographer at Freebird Studios, based in Brea, California and serving Orange County, Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, and surrounding areas. With over 13 years of experience, she specializes in newborn, maternity, baby milestone, and family photography. Crisanta got her start in photography with film at age 15 and has been dedicated to the craft ever since—mentoring under top photographers and always continuing her education. She’s known for her relaxed, family-friendly sessions and her ability to capture meaningful milestones with ease.
