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Finding someone to photograph the first few weeks of your baby’s life can feel overwhelming. With so many different styles and approaches, it can be difficult to know what to look for or understand what actually happens during a session.
If you’re new to posed baby photography, this guide explains how a studio newborn session works, how I prepare for your baby, and what you can expect from beginning to end.
Finding the right newborn photographer to capture this big milestone first few weeks of your baby’s life can often feel like a daunting task for expecting parents.
As a New Jersey Newborn Photographer, I put together this resource to help parents find the perfect photographer for them and to understand what exactly takes place during and in studio newborn session.
Newborn Session Types: Lifestyle vs In Studio
Lifestyle (In-Home) Sessions
Lifestyle Newborn sessions are about 1-2 hours long and take place in the comfort of your own home. They focus on natural, candid moments like your baby snuggled in your arms, siblings peeking into the crib, or your family relaxing together on the couch or bed.
There’s not a lot of posing or props; it’s all about capturing your connection and the love in your everyday environment. These sessions feel soft, cozy, relaxed, and personal just like telling the story of your first days together. Want to see what a lifestyle newborn session looks like in action? Check out this blog post: Lifestyle Newborn Photography New Jersey | In Home Session.
In Studio Newborn Sessions
Studio newborn sessions are done at my home studio in Waldwick, NJ and typically last about four hours. During your photography session, I handle the posing, lighting, and styling while providing wraps, backdrops, accessories, and a carefully curated selection of studio pieces.
This type of session is ideal for families who want polished newborn portraits with consistent lighting and thoughtfully planned setups without having to prepare their home.
Take a look at my Bergen County Newborn Portfolio
Setting up for an Newborn Studio Photography Experience
Once your signed contract and 50% non-refundable retainer are received, I’ll send you a short questionnaire to learn about your preferences for colors, wraps, styling, and accessories. Your answers help me create a customized session for your newborn designed specifically for your baby and family.
Before your studio session, I’ll also send a detailed Newborn Session Prep Guide so you know what to expect and how to prepare.
Everything will be arranged in advance when you arrive, including the lighting, posing table, backdrops, and selected styling pieces. You can settle in and relax while I take care of the rest.
Parent and Sibling Photos
I like to save family and sibling photos for the end of the session. Babies are often more settled by then, which allows us to begin in a calm, quiet environment and focus on your baby’s individual newborn photos first.
When older children are participating, I usually ask Dad or another family member to bring them toward the end of the session. This minimizes distractions, helps the children stay interested, and prevents them from having to wait through the entire newborn portion.
We’ll photograph the children together first, followed by full family photographs and individual portraits of each parent with the baby. Keeping this portion toward the end helps everyone stay engaged while allowing the earlier part of the session to remain peaceful and focused.
Newborn Photos: Table Poses
During the session, newborn portraits are created using a mix of posed, wrapped, and styled setups. I usually begin with table poses, where your baby is unclothed and gently posed on comfortable blankets. I typically aim for three to five setups to create plenty of variety in your finished gallery.
Some of my favorite poses include the tushy or bum-up pose, taco pose, side-lying pose, hand-on-chin pose, and Huck Finn or half-wrap pose. If your baby needs to pause for feeding, changing, or comforting, we’ll always follow their lead.
Once your baby’s individual portraits are complete, we’ll transition into the wrapped prop portion of the session.
Details & Macros of your Newborn
If baby is doing well with the table poses, I’ll take a few close-up macro shots to capture those tiny newborn features that change so quickly.
The detail shots I usually focus on include:
- tiny fingers
- little toes
- long lashes
- nose
- lips
These close-ups are some of my absolute favorites because they freeze those fleeting newborn details that parents want to remember forever. I always take my time during this part of the session, making sure baby stays cozy and comfortable.
My RF 35mm f/1.8 macro lens is my go-to for these images. It’s perfect for capturing every delicate feature in crisp, beautiful detail.
This part of the session always feels peaceful, as everything slows down and we get to focus on just how small and perfect your baby is in this moment.
Photos of baby: Props
After completing the table poses and detail photos, I’ll dress your baby in an outfit or wrap them snugly. Most babies enjoy feeling warm and secure, so wrapped setups can help them remain comfortable and peacefully asleep.
My studio collection includes beds, baskets, buckets, bonnets, headbands, and small lovies. You can request favorite pieces in your questionnaire or leave the creative styling to me.
I typically create two to three styled setups, depending on your baby’s needs and the pace of the session. My goal is to create a beautiful variety of photos without making the session unnecessarily long for your baby or family.
Some of the props you’ll often see me use come from two of my favorite vendors, Luneberry and Hello Little Props. From Luneberry, I regularly use the Pooh Bear Bucket, Targaryen Bucket, and heart-shaped bowl — all beautifully crafted pieces that photograph perfectly. I also love incorporating Crystal’s Cage and the Everlasting Bucket from Hello Little Props into my setups. Each item is made with incredible quality and attention to detail.
I’m always on the lookout for new, versatile, and stylish props to add to my collection… it’s definitely a bit of an addiction!
Ready to book a Bergen County Newborn Photographer?
Every newborn session is a little different, and that’s what makes them so special. My goal is to create a calm, relaxed environment where you can simply enjoy watching your baby be photographed and know they’re in gentle, experienced hands.
After the session, the best photos are carefully selected and edited. Thoughtful retouching keeps skin tones natural while preserving the tiny features and expressions that make your baby unique. You’ll receive a finished gallery of newborn photos that you can download, print, and share with your family.
I love capturing all those tiny details, from the little fingers and squishy cheeks to the peaceful expressions that change so quickly in those first few weeks. These images become memories you’ll cherish for years to come.
If you’re expecting and thinking about booking a newborn session, I’d love to help you plan something beautiful for your family. You can reach out anytime or fill out my contact form to start the process.
