This is a sample, not a real client: here is how a newborn session can be planned for an imagined family, two parents, a baby about ten days old and a three-year-old big sister. It walks through the booking, the timing around feeds, each setup in the order a careful photographer would do them, the family and sibling photos, and the safety rules that apply to every minute. Use it as a picture of what your own newborn session might look like.
The family and the plan
Our imagined family:
- A newborn, about ten days old, mostly sleepy, feeding every two to three hours.
- Two parents, tired, happy, and hoping for a few photos with the baby that they will actually want to be in.
- A three-year-old big sister, curious about the baby, unpredictable with her patience.
The session is a newborn session of about 75 minutes at a gentle pace, with a newborn set of soft wraps, a basket and neutral tones. Session length, number of edited photos and price vary by photographer, so check the profile.
Before the day
Booking during pregnancy
The parents book in the third trimester with their due date in their message to the photographer. After the birth, they get in touch and settle on a date in the first couple of weeks that suits how mom and baby are doing. If the baby arrives early, or the first days are hard, the date simply moves. Our guide on when to book newborn photos explains why booking before the birth helps.
What a photographer might ask
- The baby's feeding pattern (breast, bottle, both) and roughly when the last feed before the session would be.
- Any health notes from the birth that they should know about.
- How the big sister feels about the baby and what keeps her happy.
- Any family items you want in the photos: a blanket from a grandparent, a name sign, a toy.
What to bring
Feeds, pacifier if the baby uses one, spare diapers and wipes, two spare outfits for the baby, burp cloths, the parents' outfits in soft neutrals, and the big sister's snacks and a favorite toy. The full list is in what to bring to a newborn session.
Timing on the day
A mid-morning start works well, with the baby fed right before leaving home or as soon as they arrive. A full, warm baby sleeps better.
Safety, before anything else
These rules should apply to every setup in the plan:
- No risky or composite poses. No suspended setups, no chin-on-hands poses that only work when edited together, nothing that relies on the baby holding a position.
- A spotter's hand within reach at all times. Whenever the baby is in a basket or on a raised surface, a hand is right there, edited out later if it shows.
- Low and supported. The baby stays on soft, low surfaces or in a parent's arms.
- Warmth. The studio is kept warm for newborns. Parents usually find it a little too warm. That is the point.
- Clean. Washed hands, clean wraps for every baby.
- Parents close. You are in the room the whole time and can step in whenever you want.
- The baby decides. If the baby is unsettled, stop and comfort them, feed them or cuddle them. A pose never comes before comfort.
More on this in newborn photo props and safety. Ask any photographer how they handle these points before you book.
The 75 minutes, step by step
Minutes 0 to 10: arrival and feed
Coats off, the baby fed if needed, the big sister shown around. The photographer talks through the plan with the parents while the baby settles. Nothing is rushed.
Minutes 10 to 20: the big sister first
Toddlers have the shortest window, so the sibling photos come first, while she is fresh:
- Big sister seated on the floor, legs out, a parent kneeling just out of frame, supporting the baby across her lap with a hand underneath.
- A kiss on the baby's head, or a look at the baby's tiny hand.
- Big sister alone for a moment, holding her toy, so she has a portrait of her own.
If she is not interested today, try again later. Our guide on newborn photos with siblings has more on preparing toddlers.
Minutes 20 to 30: family and parents
- Both parents with the baby in their arms, close together, looking down at the baby.
- Each parent alone with the baby: mom with the baby on her chest, dad with the baby cradled in his hands and forearms, seated and supported.
- The whole family, seated, the big sister on a lap or leaning in.
Parents often say they hope not to be in many photos so soon after the birth. A few are still worth having: years from now, the photos of you holding your baby are often the ones you value most.
Minutes 30 to 40: break
The big sister goes for a snack or a walk with one parent. The baby feeds again if needed. Wraps are changed.
Minutes 40 to 60: baby setups
With a fed, sleepy baby, move to simple setups on the newborn set:
- Wrapped on a soft, low surface, the baby on their back or side, a spotter's hand nearby.
- The basket, the baby wrapped and supported, a hand within reach at all times.
- Details: tiny feet, fingers, eyelashes, the curl of an ear.
- The family item, a grandparent's blanket or a name sign beside the baby.
Keep it to a few setups rather than many. Fewer changes means a more settled baby.
Minutes 60 to 70: second chances
Repeat anything missed: a sibling photo the big sister was not ready for, a family frame with everyone looking at the camera, a wrap not yet tried.
Minutes 70 to 75: wrap-up
The baby gets fed or changed for the trip home, and you agree with the photographer when the gallery will arrive.
A 30-photo gallery to aim for
In this plan, a gallery of 30 edited photos might break down roughly as:
- About 6 with the big sister, including her own portrait.
- About 8 of the parents and family.
- About 12 of the baby in wraps and the basket.
- About 4 details.
Delivery time and sharing rules vary by photographer. Ask before the session whether they share photos of your baby anywhere, and say no if you prefer.
What would change for your family
- No siblings: more time for parents' photos and baby setups.
- Twins: two of everything, more time for feeds. See our twins photoshoot ideas.
- An older baby (three weeks or more): more awake, so more eyes-open frames, fewer curled sleepy poses.
Quick answers
How long is a newborn session?
About 75 minutes is common, which leaves room for feeds and breaks. Check each profile.
Do parents need to be in the photos?
You do not have to be, but a few are strongly worth having. See our guide to newborn photography in NYC.
What if the baby will not settle?
A good photographer pauses for feeds and cuddles. Comfort always comes first, and if the day is not working, ask about rescheduling. Check the cancellation terms on the profile.
Find your photographer
Browse newborn photographers in New York City and Long Island and message one in your third trimester with your due date.