Newborn Photo Prep Guide

Thank you for choosing Shannon Payne Photography for your baby’s newborn photos!   These photos will be some of your most treasured keepsakes, and I am honored that you are trusting me with your baby’s first photos.

When Should Newborn Photos be Taken?

The best age to photograph newborns is when they are between 8 and 21 days new. I typically wait until your baby is at least a week old before scheduling photos. This gives you time to rest and recover, allows your baby to settle into feeding routines, and gives baby boys time to heal if circumcised. During this timeframe, newborns are still very sleepy and naturally curly, which helps us pose them while they snooze. As long as they’re warm and have full bellies, most babies will give us a lovely sleep window for capturing those peaceful, dreamy portraits. With that said, every baby is unique. Not all newborns enjoy or tolerate the same poses, and I will always follow your baby’s cues—never forcing a pose they aren’t comfortable with. If you want a specific pose, please ask about these while planning your session. Please contact me once you have an induction date or the baby is born so that I can get you on my calendar. Newborn sessions are scheduled on weekday mornings. I will confirm a day and time once your baby arrives. 

How to Prepare a Newborn for a Photo Shoot

Before your session, try to keep the baby awake 1-2 hours before your session. Bath time or a little playtime is great. But don’t push it, because we don’t want to overstimulate them. Before leaving your home, make sure to feed your baby. A full belly and bumpy car ride is the perfect combination for a sleepy baby. Make sure to dress the baby in a sleeper that is easy to remove by unbuttoning or unzipping. Try to avoid something that must be removed over the head. Diaper baby loosely to help avoid diaper marks. (Please avoid using diaper ointment on their entire bum! It’s almost impossible to wipe off for pictures.)

What to Expect at Your Newborn Session

Studio newborn sessions can last anywhere between 1.5-2.5 hours. Most include 1-2 blanket setups, 1-2 basket poses, and sibling/parent poses. I will photograph your baby in a variety of poses.  Upon booking you will complete a Client Agreement and Planning Guide. I will use the information you provide to prepare for your session. We will use warm heaters and white noise to create a peaceful environment for the baby.  Time is also provided for feeding if your baby becomes hungry.  If you are planning for family photos, it is best to have another family member bring siblings 1 hour into the session. This prevents young children from getting bored and makes sibling pictures easier.

What to Wear for Newborn Family Photos

It is best to keep clothing simple for family and sibling newborn pictures.  Whites, creams, and soft pastels photograph beautifully and create a timeless, elegant look. For moms, I love the softness of skin-to-skin imagery, so sleeveless or short-sleeved tops work well. Dads look great in button-down shirts or well-fitted tees or sweaters. Please avoid bold patterns, logos, or accessories like apple watches or bulky bracelets and necklaces, which can distract from the connection and emotion in your images.

For siblings, I ask that you avoid monogrammed outfits or shirts with phrases like “big brother” or “little sister.” These can draw attention away from their sweet expressions and shift focus to the text.

To make styling effortless, all clients have access to my Client Closet, which includes neutral and classic pieces for moms, babies, and young siblings. Each item has been thoughtfully selected to complement my studio aesthetic and ensure that your images feel cohesive, timeless, and refined—so you don’t have to stress about what to wear.

What to Bring to Your Studio Newborn Session

Pacifier -Whether your baby has become attached to a pacifier or not, I encourage you to bring one to your session. My goal is to help keep your baby happy and calm during our session, and often a pacifier helps the baby drift off to dreaming again.

Extra bottles – Whether you are nursing or bottle-feeding, having extra bottles and/or milk is suggested. Some babies tend to eat more than usual during their photo sessions. It’s best to be prepared! Feel free to bring food for yourself as well, although I have snacks and drinks available for you in the studio.

Extra change of clothing – The studio is a nice, warm 80 degrees for the baby. Please dress in layers to stay comfortable. If parent pictures are desired, we may pose the baby without a diaper. A change of clothing would be helpful in case of an accident!