Tips to help you get a smooth newborn photography session.
As a new parent, you want to capture every precious moment of your newborn’s life. If you’ve already booked your newborn photographer, you’re probably feeling excited about your baby’s very first professional photo session — and maybe a little nervous about how your baby will do.
As a newborn photographer in Edmonton, I’ve put together a few simple tips to help your baby stay comfortable and settled, and to make the experience as relaxed and stress-free as possible for you.
Bathe Your Baby Before the Session
It’s recommended to bathe your baby about 1–2 hours before the newborn photo session so they feel clean, comfortable, and refreshed. A warm bath can also gently wake your baby, which helps them fall into a deeper, more settled sleep later during the session.
If your baby has flaky skin, don’t worry — this is completely normal. You can apply a light, non-oily lotion after the bath if needed.
Keeping your baby awake before coming to the studio helps them sleep more soundly once the session begins. This allows your photographer to move smoothly between poses and reduces the chance of your baby waking during transitions.
Feed Your Baby Right Before Leaving Home
A well-fed baby is a happy baby. Feeding your baby right before leaving the house can help them drift into a deep sleep during the drive to the studio.
I often encourage parents to feed their baby at home, especially if you’re still getting comfortable with breastfeeding. Being in your own space can make feeding more relaxed for both you and your baby.
Arriving with a sleepy, content baby allows us to begin the session smoothly rather than spending extra time settling your baby once you arrive — so you can relax and enjoy the experience right away.
After feeding, place your baby in their car seat wearing as little clothing as possible (a diaper only, or a snap-front onesie). You can cover them with a blanket if the weather allows. This helps keep your baby comfortable and increases the chances of arriving in a deep, restful sleep.
Bring a Pacifier (Even If Your Baby Doesn’t Use One Yet)
Pacifiers can be a very helpful tool for calming babies during a newborn photo session. They allow your photographer to gently adjust your baby’s position without fully waking them.
If your baby doesn’t normally use a pacifier, you may still want to bring one just for the session. Some parents are advised not to use a pacifier while breastfeeding — and that decision is completely up to you. Using a pacifier briefly during the session is usually fine, but if you prefer not to use one, that’s absolutely okay.
As a newborn photographer, I have many other soothing techniques to help your baby relax and fall back asleep.
Bring More Milk Than You Think You’ll Need
If you are bottle-feeding or bringing expressed breast milk, please bring at least 8 oz of extra milk to your session. I know that sounds like a lot, but modeling is hard work — and babies tend to work up quite an appetite while being so adorable!
The goal is to gently tire our little models, give them a nice full feed, and help them drift into a deep, peaceful sleep — the kind we all wish we could enjoy ourselves.
Schedule the Session at the Right Time of Day
One final tip I always share with parents is to schedule the newborn photo session during your baby’s natural sleepier time of day.
Even though newborns sleep often, many babies still have certain times when they sleep more deeply. Planning the session around these natural rhythms makes it easier for your baby to relax and helps the session run more smoothly overall.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your baby ahead of time can make a big difference in how relaxed and enjoyable your newborn photo session feels. If you’re looking for newborn photography in Edmonton and want a guided, stress-free experience from start to finish, you can learn more about my newborn photography sessions here.
Samantha, the visionary behind Little One Photography, is a passionate photographer with a special gift for capturing the essence of newborns and families. As an awarded newborn photographer, she has honed her craft to create timeless, emotive portraits that families cherish for generations. Samantha’s warm personality and patient approach put even the tiniest clients at ease, allowing her to capture genuine moments of connection and love.
