Newborn Prep Guide: How to Prepare for Newborn Photos

This newborn prep guide will tell you exactly how to prepare for your newborn photoshoot including what to bring, how to help your baby arrive sleepy and content, and what to expect once you are at the studio.

My goal is simple: I want you to arrive feeling confident, relaxed, and ready to enjoy your session.

I’m Shannon Payne, a Nashville newborn photographer with 15+ years of experience, and I’ve photographed hundreds of babies with every temperament imaginable. The question I hear the most is:

“Have you ever had a baby just cry the whole time so you had to reschedule?”

Honestly—no. Newborn sessions are all baby-led, and when you follow this newborn prep guide, you are setting yourself (and your baby) up for a smooth, successful newborn session.

Who This Newborn Prep Guide is For

This newborn prep guide is designed for expecting parents in the Nashville area. My newborn photography studio is conveniently located off on Main Street in Hendersonville, TN. I serve families from all over the Nashville area including Brentwood, Franklin, Gallatin, and Mt. Juliet.

Most of my clients book their newborn session during pregnancy, usually in the 2nd trimester, to guarantee availability on my calendar.

Newborn Prep Guide Checklist:

Raising a baby is busy, so here’s a quick newborn prep guide checklist of my best tips to help you get ready for your session.

• Feed baby right before you leave for the studio
• Bring extra milk/formula, bottles, and a pacifier
• Keep baby awake 45 – 90 minutes before your session (gentle, not overstimulating)
• Dress baby in a button/zipper sleeper (nothing that has to be removed over the head)
• Wear neutral tones for family photos (whites, creams, tans, earthy colors, etc.)
• Plan to be at the studio for 1.5-2 hours (baby-led pace)
• Consider bringing older siblings later for family photos

When to Schedule Newborn Photos

I recommend booking your newborn session during your 2nd trimester. I take a limited number of newborns each month, and this guarantees a space on my calendar. Once your baby arrives newborn photos are typically done around 8-21 days old, but beautiful sessions are still possible with older newborns as well.

Read Next: When to Schedule Newborn Photos

What to Expect During Your Newborn Studio Session

My studio is located at 100 Country Club Dr #102, Hendersonville, TN 37075. When you pull in, drive to the end of the building and turn right. My studio is on that side of the building, and there is a side entrance closest to the studio.

Arrival Tip:

If your baby falls asleep in the car, keep them in the carrier. I’ll take them out once you come inside. That way we won’t disturb baby so they can stay nice and sleepy.

Client Questionnaire

As soon as you decide to book your session, I will send you my Client Agreement. This includes a client questionnaire that helps me plan your session. You will have the chance to include your favorite colors, props, poses, and what photos are most important to you. You can be as detailed as you like. Or you can leave everything up to me.

Client Closet

My studio has a fully stocked Client Closet. This includes dresses for moms and big sisters as well as coordinating bows for big sisters. I also have a selection of simple, neutral colored shirts for dads and big brothers. This allows me to help coordinate clothing for your family and saves you from last minute shopping trips.

Props and Styling

I have a beautiful collection of props that I have hand selected over the years. These include baskets, cradles, wooden beds, and bowls that are all designed to safely hold a baby.

Wraps and Newborn Outfits

You don’t have to worry about what your baby will wear. I have soft fabrics, knit wraps, and newborn sized outfits for your baby. We will choose wraps and outfits in colors that coordinate with the setups you choose.

Newborn Safety

Your baby’s safety is always my top priority. I have trained with some of the best photographers in the nation and have over 15 years experience photographing and safely handling newborn babies. All newborn sessions are baby-led for your baby’s comfort and safety.

Relax and Trust the Process

Preparing for newborn photos can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first baby. The good news is that once you are at the studio things are very calm. Many of my clients leave saying that is the most relaxed they’ve felt since their baby was born.

I can promise you that in the last 15+ years of photographing newborns, I have never had a baby cry the whole time. If your baby needs love, we will stop for cuddling, snuggling, soothing, and feeds. Every part of your newborn photography session is baby-led.

Your only job is to relax and enjoy our time together.

How to Prepare for Newborn Photos

If you are wondering how to prepare for newborn photos, the good news is that it is much easier than you think. The goal of a newborn session is to keep your baby comfortable, sleepy, and relaxed. Following this newborn prep guide helps babies settle easily at the studio so that we can get beautiful photos.

1) The #1 Tip in This Newborn Prep Guide: Feed Your Baby

The absolute most important tip to prepare new parents for newborn photos is to make sure your baby has a full belly. I recommend feeding your baby right before you leave your house. If your baby typically takes 30 minutes to eat, I would start a feed 40 minutes before you plan to leave. That way baby can get a full feeding, you have a few minutes to change their diaper if needed, then hop in the car.

A full belly typically leads to a content, sleepy baby. This helps your newborn photography session go smoothly.

Babies may need to eat during their newborn session, and that is ok. We will stop for feeds if needed.

Pro Tip: If possible bring a bottle with extra milk or formula. I also recommend bringing a pacifier. Sometimes babies want to suck for soothing, but they are not hungry. A pacifier helps soothe baby without taking them out of a pose.

Feeding Tips for Breastfeeding Moms

If you are breastfeeding, you may have noticed that some foods make your baby fussy or gassy. If you have noticed this, I recommend avoiding those foods the day before your session. Some foods that may cause gassiness in babies include:

• broccoli
• dairy
• spicy foods
• caffeine

Every baby is different, so this is something to simply keep in mind if you’ve noticed certain foods tend to upset your baby’s tummy.

2) Help Baby Get Sleepy

Another great newborn photography tip for parents is to give baby some wake time before your newborn session. A baby that has had some morning wake time will typically sleep better during newborn photos.

Here are some ideas for keeping your baby awake before your session:

• a warm bath
• a diaper change and a little playtime
• chatting, eye contact, moving around the house

No pressure! I know there is a lot going on getting ready to leave your house. We also don’t want to push it and overstimulate baby.

And if baby falls asleep in the car? Perfect. This is exactly what we want.

3) How to Dress Baby

This is one thing you may overlook, but something that helps me keep a sleepy baby sleeping when they arrive at the studio. Please dress your baby in a sleeper that unzips or unbuttons and does not go over the head. Those Magnetic Me sleepers are amazing for newborn sessions if you have one. This helps me undress baby with minimal disturbance.

The best outfits for newborn sessions are:

• zippers, snaps, or magnets
• one piece, easy diaper access
• nothing that has to be pulled over the head
• one layer of clothing

Bonus Tip: Keep your baby in their carrier when you arrive. That’s the best way to keep them asleep if they fall asleep in the car.

4) What to Bring

Don’t feel like you need to pack your whole house! I have a lot of things at the studio including burp cloths, wipes, and bottle warmer. Here are the diaper bag essentials that you do need to bring:

• extra bottles
• milk/formula
• pacifier
• diapers and wipes
• backup outfit for baby just in case

That’s it! I have everything else we need at the studio.

What NOT to Bring

You do not need to worry about outfits for your baby. I provide wraps and newborn outfits sized perfectly for tiny babies. Everything at my studio is designed to photograph beautifully for newborn photos.

5) What to Wear (Newborn Prep Guide for Family Photos)

The most important thing to remember for a studio newborn session is that simple is best. I intend for newborn photos to be cozy and relaxed, and you want to wear clothing that fits the mood.

Best Colors for Studio Newborn Photos

• Cream, white, oatmeal, beige
• Earth tones (sage, tan, muted brown, warm neutrals)

Clothing to Avoid for Studio Newborn Photos

• Bright colors
• Loud patterns
• Logos
• Big Brother/Big Sister shirts (Adorable for Fresh 48, not studio)
• Monograms (We want the focus to be on faces not clothing)
• Shoes (Parents, we won’t see your feet, and I prefer bare feet for siblings)

When in doubt, keep things simple. Want to make things even easier? Don’t forget that I have a full Client Closet with dresses for moms and big sisters, and neutral colored shirts for dads and big brothers. Men and boys will still need to bring pants, but I have shirts to help.

Dress in Layers

The studio is kept warm (75-80 degrees) to keep baby comfortable. I recommend dressing in layers until it is your turn for photos.

Pro Tip: Make sure your nails are manicured. Hands are a big focus in newborn photos since you will be holding your baby.

Read Next: What to Wear for Newborn Family Photos

6) How Long Does a Newborn Session Take?

All of my newborn sessions are baby-led. This means I will follow baby’s cues for feeding, soothing, and settling. I know parents have images in mind that they love, but I will never force baby into a pose that they don’t love. Your baby’s comfort and happiness is my focus.

Most sessions last 1.5-2 hours.

If your newborn session includes family photos, we typically do those the last 30 minutes of your session.

7) Sibling Tips

If you have older children (especially toddlers), I recommend having your spouse or a family member bring them later.

Why? Because waiting can be difficult for younger ones. I want them to be fresh and happy for their turn in front of the camera. Bringing them about an hour into the session works well. This gives them time to get dressed and acclimated while I am finishing baby’s individual photos.

Newborn Prep Guide FAQ

What if my baby won’t sleep? That’s ok! Some babies are naturally more alert and others are more sleepy. We will embrace your baby and their needs the day of the session. Awake newborn photos are amazing. I love capturing eye contact. Even the most alert babies will doze off at some point to allow for a few sleepy poses. Either way, we will capture beautiful images of your baby.

Can I feed my baby during the session? Absolutely! Feedings are expected, and your session will not be rushed.

Should I bring a pacifier to newborn photos? Even if your baby does not regularly take a pacifier, I highly recommend bringing one to the studio. Pacifiers can help soothe babies without having to remove them from a pose or prop or needing to stop for a feeding.

What if my baby goes to the bathroom? That’s ok! If baby goes to the bathroom, I am happy to change their diaper. They may even go to the bathroom when their diaper is off for photos, and that’s ok too. I have changing pads and wipes for an easy cleanup.

What if my baby is older than 2-3 weeks? Still doable! Our expectations may be different with a 2 week old newborn vs. a 2 month old newborn, but we will still get gorgeous images. Please read my blog post about older newborn photos (3-8 weeks old).

Related Newborn Resources for New Parents

These articles answer some of the most common questions my clients have. They are a great resource when you are preparing for your newborn photoshoot.

• When to Schedule Newborn Photos
• Older Newborn Photos (Photos during weeks 3-8)
• The Top 5 Newborn Photography Poses Nashville Moms Love
• Will I Regret Not Getting Newborn Photos
• What to Wear for Newborn Family Photos

Book Your Newborn Photography Session in Hendersonville, TN

If you are looking for a Nashville newborn photographer and want a calm, guided newborn session, I’d love to help you plan everything. I know these days feel like a blur, and I’m here to help you every step of the way.

My studio is located in Hendersonville, TN, just outside of Nashville, and I photograph newborns from all over Middle Tennessee including Franklin, Mt. Juliet, and Gallatin.

Next Step: Inquire here to confirm availability.

Complete Client Agreement: The Client Agreement and retainer fee will secure your due date on my calendar.

I have limited availability each month in order to ensure the best service to all of my clients. I recommend booking your newborn photoshoot before your baby arrives. Your 2nd trimester is a great time to reach out.