Raleigh Newborn Photoshoot Guide | What to Expect At Your Studio Newborn Session
One of the most common questions I get as a Raleigh newborn photographer is, “What do we need to do to prepare for our newborn session?”
The short answer? Very little.
My goal is to make your newborn photography session as easy, relaxed, and stress-free as possible — especially in those early days when you’re running on little sleep.
First things first — all parents need to do is arrive at the studio with their baby. That’s it. If you’d prefer to wait and get dressed once you’re here, you’re more than welcome to do so. I actually recommend that toddlers and older siblings wait to get dressed at the studio as well. It helps avoid any last-minute accidents on the way in and keeps everyone’s outfits wrinkle-free.
Since my Raleigh photography studio is bright and white, the colors that photograph best are white, cream, tan, ivory, khaki, light blues, and soft pinks. Think neutrals and pastels — simple, timeless, and clean. These tones photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your baby.
When you arrive, your baby can either be fed or just about ready to feed. If baby has already eaten, we’ll check to make sure they have a clean diaper before starting. I’ll then have baby strip down to just a diaper and gently swaddle them in a soft white stretch fabric, leaving their toes peeking out — one of my favorite details during newborn sessions.
We typically begin with parent poses and family portraits first. This allows us to get those images done right away, and then older siblings can head to the toy area and play until they’re needed again. This keeps the session calm and enjoyable for everyone.
Once we move on to baby-only images, your newborn will be gently posed in natural, comfortable positions on the white bean bag. I follow baby’s lead and never force a pose — comfort and safety are always the priority. During this part of the session, I also capture sweet detail shots of tiny lips and toes, and we can incorporate parents’ hands to show just how small your baby is in these first days.
Newborn photography sessions typically last 1–3 hours, depending on your baby. If your little one needs extra time to feed, be soothed, or fall asleep, that is completely normal. There is no rushing a newborn session — we move at your baby’s pace.
I usually recommend scheduling newborn photos when babies are around two weeks old for a few reasons:
Babies are still very sleepy, which makes classic newborn poses easier.
Many babies haven’t experienced newborn acne yet.
They’re still naturally curly from being snuggled up for nine months.
If your baby is over the two-week mark, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a newborn session. It may just take a little longer than average, and that’s perfectly okay.
If you’re expecting and searching for a Raleigh newborn photographer, I’d love to talk with you about your session. You can reach out through my website or send me a message, and I’ll be happy to walk you through the next steps for booking your newborn photography session in Raleigh.
