Newborn At-Home Photo Shoot Guide

January 24, 2025

Hello & Welcome

Congratulations on the arrival of your little one!

This is a truly precious time, and capturing these fleeting newborn moments with an at-home photoshoot is a beautiful way to preserve these early days.

This guide will help you prepare for the session, ensuring a relaxed and comfortable experience that results in stunning images you and your family will cherish forever.

Newborn At-Home Photo Shoot Guide. Maternity, newborn photographer in the Bay Area|Iryna Rakivnenko

Planning Your Outfits & BEDDING TIPS

Here are a few options to consider:

Baby’s Outfit:

Fit is Key: Please ensure your baby’s outfit fits well. Clothing that is too large or too small look awkward in photos.
Keep it Simple: SOLID COLOURS or very subtle, small patterns work best. Large, busy patterns can distract from your baby.
Soft Colors: While dark colors can work, avoid bright, vibrant shades. Soft, muted tones and pastels photograph beautifully.
Comfort First: Choose soft, natural fabrics that are gentle on your baby’s skin. Avoid formal evening wear, uncomfortable dresses, or eleborate outfits that don’t suit your cozy, intimate home story.

Bedding:

Since we’ll be capturing many images in the bedroom, the bedding is an important element.

Solid-colored bedding in soft, neutral tones (like white, beige, or light grey) works best. Avoid bright colors and large patterns. A simple, matching bedding set is ideal.

What to Wear (for Mom):

The goal for your outfits is to feel comfortable, relaxed, and natural while complementing your newborn.

Here are some ideas:

Soft and Flowing Fabrics: Fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, or jersey knit are ideal. They drape beautifully and are comfortable to wear, especially postpartum. Think flowing dresses, loose tops, or cardigans.
Neutral and Soft Colors: Neutral tones create a timeless and peaceful feel. These colors also ensure the focus remains on you and your baby’s connection. Avoid bright, bold colors or large, distracting patterns.
Comfortable and Functional: Avoid anything too tight or restrictive. Consider practicality, especially if you are breastfeeding. Tops that are easy to nurse in, or dresses with easy access, will make the session smoother.

Important Points:

Clean and Ironed Clothes: Make sure your clothes are clean and ironed. Small wrinkles and stains can be visible in the photos.

What to Wear (for Dad):

Dad plays an important role in the newborn photoshoot, and his clothing is just as important as mom’s and baby’s.
We want to create harmonious and tender images, so here are a few tips for dads:

Comfort and Simplicity: The most important thing is that you feel comfortable. Avoid overly formal or restrictive clothing.
A casual t-shirt is a great choice. If you choose to wear jeans, make sure they are comfortable and loose enough to sit and even lie down in. However, I recommend opting for softer pants like chinos, corduroys. They will ensure maximum comfort for both you and your baby.
Coordination with Mom and Baby: Try to coordinate your clothing in style and color with mom and baby’s outfits. Neutral, muted shades look best: white, grey, beige, light blue, pastels.
Avoid Bright Colors and Patterns: Bright colors and patterns will distract from the main subject — your baby. Solid-colored clothing or clothing with a small, subtle pattern will look much better.
Shirts (Recommendation): While a button-down shirt can look stylish, we advise against wearing button-down shirts for this photoshoot. During the session, I often ask dads to hold the baby on their chest or stomach, and buttons can be uncomfortable for the baby. If you still want to wear a shirt, a great option is to wear it as a second layer over a t-shirt and leave it unbuttoned. This will maintain a stylish look while avoiding discomfort for the baby.
Fabrics: Prefer natural fabrics such as cotton and linen. They look natural and are comfortable.

Outfit Suggestions

Hair, nails and Makeup

For your at-home photoshoot, it’s best to keep your hairstyle and makeup natural and cozy to fit the setting.

Make sure your hair is freshly washed and styled— whether straight, with soft curls, or in a loose bun for a personal touch.

For makeup, focus on an even skin tone, lightly defined eyes, and hydrated lips with a natural gloss or balm.

As for nails, choose subtle, neutral shades or clear polish to avoid drawing attention and keep the look natural in the photos.

Props List

While I bring a selection of props to each shoot, you’re welcome to incorporate any personal items that hold special meaning for your family.
This can add a unique touch to your photos and make them even more treasured.

Here are some ideas:

Baby’s First Outfit: This could be the outfit they wore home from the hospital or a special outfit from a loved one.
Family Heirlooms: A vintage blanket or any other family keepsake.
Handmade Items: A knitted blanket made by a grandparent, a quilt, or a special toy.
Backdrops: Neutral-colored blankets or fabrics used as backgrounds.
Items Related to a Hobby or Profession: If you or your partner have a special hobby or profession, consider incorporating a relevant item (e.g., a musical instrument, a tool, a sports item).
Books: A book that has special meaning to the parents.

What to Expect on the Day of the Shoot

Feeling a little nervous is perfectly normal! Bringing a new little one into the world is a big change, and having a photoshoot on top of that can feel a bit overwhelming. But please know that I’m here to make this a relaxed and enjoyable experience for you and your family. Most of us aren’t used to being in front of the camera, especially with a newborn, but that’s absolutely okay. I’ll be there to guide you through every step of the way, so you don’t have to worry about posing or what to do. My goal is to capture genuine and beautiful moments that you’ll cherish forever.

During our session, I’ll focus on capturing a variety of images:

Portraits with Each Parent: I’ll also make sure to capture individual portraits of each parent with the baby. These are such special moments, and it’s important to document this unique bond you share.
Individual Portraits of Baby: We’ll take beautiful portraits of your newborn, capturing all those tiny details — their little fingers and toes, their sweet expressions, and their peaceful sleep.
Family Portraits: Of course, we’ll also take family portraits, capturing the love and connection between all of you.
Natural, Candid Moments: In addition to posed portraits, I’ll also be capturing those natural, candid moments — the gentle touches, the loving gazes, the sweet snuggles. In my experience, these are the moments that families treasure the most in the years to come, as they truly reflect the unique connection and love you share.

I understand that newborns have their own schedule, so we’ll take breaks as needed for feedings, diaper changes, and cuddles. The session is baby-led, meaning we’ll follow their cues and work around their needs. My priority is to create a comfortable and safe environment for your baby and a relaxed and enjoyable experience for you.

What Happens After Your Photoshoot

Thank you so much for choosing me to capture these precious moments with your newborn! Here’s what you can expect in the coming weeks:

Image Delivery:

I aim to deliver your final images within 2 weeks of your photoshoot.

Your Online Gallery:

You will receive your beautifully edited, high-resolution images in a private online gallery.

You’ll be able to download the images directly from the gallery.

2 Options for Your Images:

I understand that every family has different needs and preferences, so I offer 2 options for receiving your images:

Option 1: “Best Of” Collection (35 Images)

Your package includes 35 professionally edited images—the best shots showcasing various poses, expressions, and family combinations—delivered to your private online gallery.

Option 2: Full Story (60+ Images)

I’ll edit your complete session (typically 60+ photos) and provide a preview gallery. You can then:

• Select 35 favorites for final delivery, or

• Add individual photos at $15 each (in addition to your standard 35 images) for any extra images you’d like to keep, or

• Purchase the complete story of our session for an additional $200 to preserve every moment from your newborn’s first days

A KEEPSAKE YOU’LL TREASURE:

CUSTOM DESIGNED PHOTO ALBUMS

Along with your digital images, I create personalized photo album templates that bring your story to life on printed pages, giving your memories a second life beyond digital storage.

Why Choose a Photo Album?

• Tangible memories you can hold and share for generations

• Beautiful storytelling that captures your baby’s first days, from tiny details to family moments

• Lasting keepsake that becomes a treasured piece of your home

• Perfect gift for grandparents and loved ones

How It Works: I’ll design a custom album template using your photos and show you the complete layout. Only after you see how your story looks in the album can you decide whether to print it — no pressure, just the option to preserve your memories in a beautiful, tangible way.