Welcoming a new baby is wonderful, but it can also be exhausting and unpredictable. You might have everything ready to leave and then baby needs another feed. There may be an unexpected nappy change, tears, sickness or simply a morning when everything takes longer than planned.
We understand.
The suggestions in this guide are here to make your newborn photography session a little easier. They are not rules, and there is no test to pass. Babies have their own plans, so whatever kind of morning you have had, we will welcome you and work gently around your family.
Before leaving home
Depending on how far you are travelling and what works for your baby, we may suggest offering roughly half a feed before you leave. This can mean baby is comfortable during the journey while still being ready for another feed and settling time when you arrive.
However, your baby’s needs always come first. Feed responsively and follow the advice you have received from your midwife, health visitor or other healthcare professional. If your baby is hungry, please feed them.
If another adult is travelling with you, they can gently interact with baby during the journey where it is safe and practical. Talking, singing and smiling may help baby remain awake.
We know that babies often fall asleep in the car, though. If that happens, it is completely normal and certainly not a problem. Please do not spend the journey worrying that the session has gone wrong before it has begun. We have plenty of time to settle baby when you arrive.
What should baby wear?
Please arrive with baby wearing the outfit you would like photographed. This may be smart, casual or custom-made, but it should also be loose and comfortable.
Some babies arrive beautifully relaxed after the car journey. When that happens, we may have an opportunity to take an early portrait while they are still calm.
Every outfit change can disturb a newborn and may mean more settling, soothing or feeding before we continue. Starting in the chosen outfit helps us make the most of a calm arrival and keeps unnecessary changes to a minimum.
If baby arrives awake, hungry or unsettled, that is equally fine. There will be time for feeding, changing, cuddles and a fresh nappy before we begin. We never expect a newborn to be ready for photographs immediately.
Try to avoid tight clothing, tights or snug waistbands before the session. These can leave temporary lines on baby’s skin, particularly around the waist and legs. As baby may be lightly dressed, wrapped or photographed without an outfit during parts of the session, loose clothing helps to keep their skin comfortable and free from clothing marks.
You are welcome to bring an additional special outfit, although we may not use every outfit if changing would unsettle baby. We already have everything else needed for the session at the studio.
Arriving at the studio
We have a dedicated parking space at the rear of the studio. From there, you will need to walk around to the front entrance. Full parking and arrival instructions will be included in your booking information.
The studio is kept warm because baby may be lightly dressed, wrapped or without an outfit during parts of the session. Adults can therefore find it warmer than expected, so wearing layers can help you remain comfortable.
Please bring drinks and any refreshments you may want during the session. There is also a nearby shop if you would like to pop out while we are concentrating on baby.
Newborn sessions are deliberately unhurried. There is time for feeds, nappy changes, cuddles and settling. If baby needs to stop, we stop. If baby needs feeding, you feed them. If you need a moment too, that is equally important.
Preparing parents and siblings
Family and sibling portraits are not included in the Simple Newborn Session. However, we may include close-up photographs where a parent’s hands or arms gently hold or support baby. If you have chosen a session that includes family or sibling portraits, we normally begin with those. This means older children can be involved while they are still fresh and interested, rather than asking them to wait through the quieter newborn part of the session.
If another trusted adult is available, they may be able to take an older sibling out once the family photographs are complete. The concentrated newborn portion of the session can be long and quiet, which is not always exciting for a young child. A trip out can make the experience easier for everyone and help us maintain a calm atmosphere for baby.
Please do not worry if this is not possible. We understand that not every family can bring another adult, and siblings are always welcome to remain with you.
For family photographs, where included in your chosen session, plain and simple clothing usually works best. Neutral or complementary colours help keep the attention on your family and your connection with one another.
Try to avoid:
• Large logos
• Bold patterns
• Strong stripes
• Clothing with prominent characters or pictures
As an extreme example, if everyone arrived in a Mickey Mouse jumper, your eye might go straight to Mickey Mouse rather than to the people in the photograph. Your clothes do not need to match perfectly. They simply need to avoid competing for attention.
It is also worth removing watches and chunky jewellery shortly before the session. A large watch can dominate a close photograph of baby resting across your arm, and tightly worn items may leave temporary marks on your skin. Wedding and engagement rings can, of course, remain.
Making your newborn photographs personal
We provide the wraps, outfits and other items needed to create your newborn photographs, so you do not need to purchase anything specially for the session.
However, personal objects can add meaning that no studio prop could reproduce.
Popular choices include a favourite teddy, personalised items, blankets, wedding bands and books. These details can make the photographs feel unmistakably yours and create stories you can share with your child later.
You are welcome to bring something meaningful connected to your work, hobbies, culture or family story. Families have brought a wonderfully broad range of ideas, from toy construction vehicles and child-safe hairdressing props to sporting keepsakes, helmets and paddles. If an item matters to your family, tell us about it and we will explore how it might be included safely and naturally.
Years from now, you may be able to show your child the photograph and say, “That was your favourite teddy,” or, “We used to read that book to you.” If you have seen one of our photographs featuring a baby surrounded by books or soft toys, bringing your own collection will make that image much more personal and give us a better selection to work with.
Please feel free to tell us your ideas, even if you are unsure whether they will work. We can talk them through with you and decide what can be included safely and naturally.
What if the morning does not go to plan?
This is the most important part of the guide: please do not panic.
You might be exhausted after feeding through the night. Baby might be sick on the outfit you had carefully chosen. You may be ready to walk out of the door when baby needs another feed or nappy change. These things are not inconveniences. They are simply part of life with a newborn.
Our role is not to judge how smoothly you managed to leave the house. It is to welcome you, help you settle and create beautiful photographs while keeping the experience calm for your family.
Preparation can help, but perfection is not required.
A simple newborn-session checklist
Before leaving, you may find it helpful to check that you have:
• Dressed baby in the smart, casual or custom-made outfit you would like photographed
• Kept baby’s clothing loose and comfortable so it does not leave marks
• Packed any additional outfits or meaningful items you may like us to consider. If you are unsure, bring them along and we can decide together what works best on the day.
• Chosen simple clothing for family photographs, if they are included in your session
• Removed watches and other tight or prominent jewellery
• Packed drinks, refreshments and your usual changing essentials
• Brought any teddy, personalised items, blankets, wedding bands or books you would like included
• Checked the parking and entrance instructions in your booking information
Everything else needed for the photographs will be waiting for you at the studio.
Above all, come as you are. Whether baby arrives asleep, awake, hungry or needing a cuddle, we will take our time and work around them. That gentle, flexible approach is part of what makes Everleaf a family studio.
