November 17, 2025
You’re an expecting mama checking all the must-do items off your to-do list before baby arrives. Nursery – planned. Baby shower theme – chosen. Baby name – narrowed down to a few favorites. But newborn photos? You don’t know where to begin, and with the weight of so much to do before baby gets here, it feels like one more task you’d like to do but don’t really need to do. Planning your session, selecting your outfits, and carving out the time for portraits feels like too much. But all the more, you know you can’t turn back time, and not getting these photos could be something you wish you had 20 years from now. I get it, and that’s why I put together this guide. Because honestly, I think newborn photos are some of the most important photos you should have taken professionally (right next to wedding photos) and it shouldn’t feel like a heavy task. As a newborn photographer in Richmond, I’ve put together this guide to help lead you in a refined, low-stress photography experience to preserve those memories of your baby’s first days.
Why newborn photography is worth it
The tiny fingers and toes, sleepy eyes, big yawns, the newborn scrunch. They’re so small at first, and seeing them every day, it doesn’t seem like they’ll grow that fast, but they do. Between the time they’re born and turn one month old (and then two months old…), your newborn will look like a completely different baby. Phone photos are great for the day-to-day moments, but how about preserving this sweet, fleeting season of when they were just born and you were just getting to know them? How do you plan to remember this season 20 years from now?
On a personal note, even with being a newborn photographer, I also hired a photographer to take our own newborn photos. Those first few weeks are filled with sleepless nights, recovering from delivery, and learning how to care for your baby (while also caring for yourself). Not to mention, hiring a newborn photographer ensures your new family is in a majority of the photos, and you’ll get a variety of family photos in your gallery, in addition to photos of just your baby.
I’ve never heard a mom say they regretted having professional newborn photos, but not having them taken? That’s another story.
Why to choose a lifestyle newborn session
If you want timeless newborn portraits that highlight your connection with your baby and how your baby truly is, a lifestyle newborn session is for you. In my sessions, I use gentle, natural posing and prompts to create images that are organic and feel like you, rather than stiff posing. We’ll capture your baby how they truly are in those early days, without distracting prompts and unnatural posing. Your family portraits will be similar to a family session, with a special focus on your baby and connection.
How to select an artistic style
What type of photography style are you drawn to? Light and airy, dark and moody, or true-to-life? My style is more true-to-life, using film as my medium of choice. I try to include film in every session when there is enough natural light, and in settings where there isn’t enough light, I lean on digital photography. I go in-depth about using hybrid digital and film photography in a previous journal entry. All digital photos are edited to emulate film and provide a cohesive gallery of timeless images.
When to book your newborn session
When to book your session can vary among photographers. I take on a limited number of newborn sessions each month, so that I can spend plenty of time with each client and allot time in my schedule in case baby arrives a little earlier or later than your due date. I recommend booking at least 3 months in advance for greater availability. If you’re due in the fall, I recommend reaching out even earlier, as the fall season can be quite busy.
What to expect from your newborn session
It’s helpful to talk with your photographer about what their newborn sessions are like, as there are so many different styles. For my newborn sessions, after you’re booked, we’ll start planning your session to bring your vision to life! I’ll send a survey to learn more about what you want out of your session, and we can talk more about planning over email or video call, whatever works best for you. I’ll provide you with a comprehensive session guide that helps you prepare your family and newborn for the session and choose outfits. I’ll also provide any personalized style guidance over email or video call, and you’ll get to choose a dress from my growing client closet. One key to beautiful, timeless newborn portraits is the outfit choice, so this is an important piece of the planning process!
For in-home newborn sessions, we’ll talk more about the best time to take the photos depending on the light in your home, which is typically around 10 a.m. These lifestyle newborn sessions are baby-led, so we’ll follow the pace of your baby throughout the session. Typically, I’ll start with taking photos of just your baby on their own, using soft, gentle posing to get all the details and photos that show your baby’s personality in those early days. These can be taken on a posing bean bag, in a basket, or on a bed. We’ll then move on to family photos, getting full family shots, photos of each parent with the baby, siblings with the baby, and any other combinations you’d like using organic, natural prompts and poses to create timeless images. We’ll allot plenty of time for feedings, diaper changes, and getting your baby to fall asleep. Since these sessions are baby-led, in-home newborn sessions typically last about 3 hours.
While a majority of my newborn sessions are indoors, some families opt for an outdoor session depending on the season. We’ll meet either at sunrise or about two hours before sunset. We’ll follow a similar process as the in-home newborn photos, but in an outdoor setting. Individual baby photos are often taken in a basket, and details can also be captured while baby is wrapped in your arms. Since outdoor newborn photography is also dependent on the position of the sun, these sessions typically last 2 hours.
How to choose a location for newborn sessions
A majority of my newborn sessions are in-home newborn sessions. There are so many sweet reasons for this – it’s the place where families bring their baby home from the hospital, where they’re learning more about each other, and where they’re most comfortable in those early days. When choosing a space for in-home newborn sessions, all we need is a large window that brings in plenty of natural light, and it’s even better if that’s near a white or light grey wall to reflect clean light. This may be your newborn nursery, master bedroom, kitchen, hallway, or another space in your home. The light matters so much more than the room we’re in.
Some families opt for an outdoor newborn session if their home doesn’t get enough natural light, if there’s a location that is important to their family, or if they want to document their family bonding with their baby in the season they were born. It’s best to evaluate what’s true to you. Do you like being surrounded by flowers in a garden, or maybe you find English architecture breathtaking? Is the place you got engaged or married close by, or maybe there’s a park you frequent for day dates with your spouse? These are just a few things to consider when choosing an outdoor location. You don’t need to stress about having a location already selected when booking your session; I have several favorite outdoor newborn session locations in Richmond that we can talk through and pinpoint what best meets your family’s needs. Part of the planning process is location selection, so we can work together to choose a spot during that time.
How to dress for newborn sessions
Outfit choice has a huge impact on your final images, and it’s something I focus on with my families in the planning stage. We want your images to highlight the connection of you with your baby and your baby’s features, rather than putting the focus on your outfits. The color you wear can also reflect light onto your skin, and we want that light to be clean and flattering. I recommend wearing light neutrals, like whites, creams, and light browns, and muted tones, like a light, muted blue or pink. Solid colors photograph beautifully, as well as soft, spaced patterns for 1-2 family members, depending on the size of your family. It’s also important to focus on colors that complement each other rather than match. How does this all look together? Mom is in a white or floral dress, dad is in a white button-down and light khaki pants, and baby is in a white outfit or bodysuit. When working with families, I provide a comprehensive style guide and personalized outfit planning guidance to help take wardrobe off your plate. You’ll also have access to my growing client closet of dresses made for pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.
How to prepare for your newborn photos
After planning outfits, I recommend ordering any remaining pieces you’d like to include to complete your vision. Then, make sure everything is clean and wrinkle free. It’s best to do all of this before baby arrives, so that you don’t have to worry about it once baby is here.
I recommend allotting plenty of time for getting ready the morning of the session, as there will be interruptions for feeding, changing diapers, lightly playing with your baby, and laying them down for a nap. If you don’t want the weight of getting yourself ready or really want to elevate your newborn portraits, I recommend having a stylist take care of your hair and make up. For nails, I find that nude, light neutral, or light pink nails photograph best and keep the focus on your family’s connection with each other.
If you’re having an in-home newborn session, don’t worry about tidying the home. You’ll already have enough on your plate caring for your baby. All you need is a space by a large window that brings in plenty of natural light, preferably by a white or light grey wall to reflect clean light.
For outdoor newborn sessions, allot plenty of time to arrive to the location, just in case you need to stop on the way for a feeding or diaper change. Bring all the items you need to care for your baby: diapers, wipes, burp cloths, a changing mat, prepared bottles, or anything else you need.
What else to consider for your newborn session
Including your dog
Many families choose to include their dog in their newborn photos for the full family shots. If you have a high-energy dog (like me!), they’ll likely be very excited to have someone new at the house and to have family time during the photo session. It may be helpful to take them on a small walk before your newborn session starts so they can be more calm during the session. If you’re having an outdoor newborn session, I recommend having another friend or family member not being photographed there to help give your dog breaks when needed. We’ll also have to make sure the location allows dogs.
Choosing a dress from a client closet
A client closet can be so helpful during the postpartum period. These dresses are chosen and offered with pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond in mind, so they’re likely to be comfortable and photograph beautifully. It’s also helpful so that you don’t have to buy a dress you may only wear once. In my growing client closet, you’ll have your choice of dress for your session if you choose to use this resource.
Incorporating timeless props
Posing bean bags, woven baskets, white baby blankets, and bow swaddles. These are beautiful, timeless props that will help your newborn photos withstand the test of time and keep the focus on your baby and your family’s connection with your baby, rather than on the props. I have these items on-hand and ready to bring to my newborn sessions.
Preserving your memories through tangible artwork
With putting so much thought and care into your newborn photos, it’s so valuable to have a plan for how you will preserve these moments long-term. Digital photos are wonderful and great for quickly sharing with family and friends over text, email, and socials. But how do you plan to view these memories over and over again? What about showing your baby these photos once your baby is grown? Or showing your child’s future children these family keepsakes? Heirloom photo albums, fine art matted print boxes, and museum-quality framed fine art prints are some of my favorite ways to preserve these memories while also having them readily available to view right in your home. Once you receive your online gallery of images from our session, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a curated assortment of custom heirloom artwork pieces to display your family’s memories. One more thing checked off your list.
What other questions do you have about newborn photography in Richmond, Virginia? When I work with expecting moms, we walk through all of this and more to best prepare for their session. Feel free to contact me today to start planning your newborn session!
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