Newborn photography goes most smoothly in the first two weeks or so, while babies are sleepy and curl up easily, but a calm, lovely session is possible later too. At our NYC studio the session runs on baby's schedule: a warm room, pauses for every feed, simple setups, and one of us always within reach of your baby. This guide walks through what to expect, from booking to the gallery.
When to book your newborn session
The ideal window is roughly 5 to 14 days after birth. In those days most newborns sleep deeply and stay curled, which makes wrapped, peaceful photos easier.
That said, babies do not read calendars. A few honest points:
- Book during pregnancy with a date near your due date, so the plan is in place before life gets busy. Our guide on when to book newborn photos explains how that works.
- If baby arrives early or late, tell us as soon as you can and we will find the closest date that works.
- Older than three weeks is fine. Babies are more awake, so the photos are a bit different: more open eyes, more stretching, more expression. Many parents love that.
- If your baby needed extra care after birth, wait until you are home, settled and your pediatrician is comfortable. There is no rush that matters more than that.
Before you arrive
The studio address comes with your booking confirmation. Plan your trip so you are not rushing, and give yourself extra time to get the car seat or stroller sorted.
A few things help a lot:
- Feed baby close to your arrival time, or plan to feed as soon as you get in. A full baby is a sleepy baby.
- Dress baby in something easy to take off, like a zip-front or snap sleeper. Pulling a onesie over a sleeping baby's head usually wakes them.
- Pack the bag the night before. Our checklist of what to bring to a newborn session covers feeds, diapers, spare outfits and parents' clothes.
How the session flows
Our Milestone Session is 75 minutes, with both of us there. We plan it in loose stages and let your baby set the pace.
- Settling in. You arrive, take off coats, and feed or change baby if needed. We go over the plan and anything you want to make sure we get.
- Family and parent photos first if baby is awake. Parents holding baby, close-ups of tiny hands in yours, the whole family together. Awake babies are perfect for these.
- Sibling photos early, if big brothers or sisters are coming, while their patience lasts. Our guide to newborn photos with siblings covers how we keep that part safe and short.
- Sleepy, wrapped setups. Once baby is drowsy, we photograph them swaddled in soft wraps on the newborn set, on low, padded surfaces.
- Details. Toes, lashes, lips, the curl of an ear, and any family item you brought.
- A final family frame if there is time and baby is calm.
If your baby wants to feed, we stop. If they need a cuddle, we stop. We keep the list of setups short on purpose, so the session never turns into a race against the clock.
Warmth, comfort and safety
Warmth and comfort
Newborns cannot regulate their body temperature well, especially when they are unwrapped. So we warm the room before you arrive and keep wraps and blankets warm as well. Parents usually find it a bit too warm, so dress in light layers.
We also keep noise low and move slowly. If your baby is used to a white noise machine or app, bring it. Calm adults make calm babies.
Safety first, always
Our approach to newborn safety is simple: if a pose or prop needs any risk to work, we don't do it.
- No risky or composite poses. No chin-on-hands poses, no hanging slings, no baby balanced in tall or unstable props.
- Low and stable. Baby is posed on padded surfaces close to the floor, and any prop is sturdy and lined.
- A spotter's hand. Whenever baby is in a setup, one of us has a hand within reach, while the other photographs. That is one big reason we work as two.
- Parents nearby. You are in the room the whole time, and you can stop anything that makes you uncomfortable.
- Clean hands, clean wraps. We wash our hands before touching your baby, and wraps are fresh for every session.
- Nobody unwell. If anyone in your household is sick, or one of us is, we move the date. Your baby's health comes before any photo.
We describe this in detail in newborn photo props and safety.
What parents do during the session
Mostly, relax. You feed and soothe when baby needs it, sit nearby during the wrapped setups, and step in for the parent and family photos. Wear something soft that you like, because you will be in the photos too. Many new parents are nervous about this part. You don't need to look any particular way. The photos are about how you hold your baby.
Your photos and payment
The Milestone Session includes the newborn set and props, both of us photographing, and 30 edited photos. It costs $425. Nothing is paid when you book, and payment happens on the day, after the session. Your private online gallery arrives within 7 days.
Quick answers
What if my baby stays awake the whole session?
That is fine. Awake newborns make beautiful photos with open eyes and real expressions, and we adjust the setups around them.
How long is a newborn session?
The Milestone Session is 75 minutes, with pauses for feeding and soothing built into the plan.
Do I need to bring props or wraps?
No. The newborn set and its props are included. Bring a family item if you like, such as a blanket that belonged to a grandparent.
Book your session
Choose a date near your due date, pick our newborn set, and we will confirm by email with the studio address. Book a Milestone Session.