6 Simple Tips for a Relaxed Newborn Photo Session
/6 Simple Tips for a Relaxed Newborn Photo Session
Welcoming a new baby into your family is one of life’s most emotional and fleeting seasons. Capturing those early days through photography is so special—but it can also feel a little daunting when you’re running on very little sleep and navigating a whole new routine.
The good news? Your session doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful. In fact, the most meaningful images often come from the most relaxed, real moments. As an experienced newborn photographer, over 14 years, I’ll guide you through everything all you need to do is relax. Most of my families say, ‘it was an enjoyable and really relaxed experience’ so you are in truly safe hands. My job is not only to capture amazing photographs for you but to help you feel prepared and for the session to feel wonderful.
Making sure you have a memorable and smooth portrait session is incredibly important to me. I have a very relaxed approach to family photography anyway as I want to capture authentic moments of connection between you and your loved ones, and these don’t happen with static poses and cheesy grins at the camera in my opinion.
Here are my 6 best tips to help your newborn and family photography session feel calm, natural, and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Choose the right photographer for your newborn photo shoot
The first step to a relaxed family photo session is choosing a photographer who feels right for you. Someone whose work you love, but also someone you feel comfortable with—because that connection really does make all the difference.
From the moment you first get in touch, I want you to feel completely looked after. Your experience is so important to me. My sessions are designed to feel calm and easy—more like spending quality time with your family than anything else. I’ll gently guide you when needed, but mostly I’ll be there capturing those real, in-between moments as they naturally unfold.
One of the things families often say after their session is how relaxed it all felt, and how easy I was to chat to from the very beginning—which always means the world to me.
When you first enquire, I’ll always offer a quick phone call so we can say hello properly and make sure we’re a good fit. It’s such a nicer, more personal way to answer any questions and talk things through than lots of back-and-forth emails.
I also include a complimentary pre-session consultation a couple of weeks before your shoot, where we can chat through outfits, styling, and all the final little details—so when the day comes, you can just turn up, relax, and enjoy it 🤍
2. Slow Everything Down
The most relaxed sessions are the ones where there’s no rush. Newborns need feeding, changing, and comforting—and that’s completely expected.
Allow plenty of time so you can pause whenever needed. A calm pace helps everyone feel more at ease, especially older siblings who might need a little extra attention too.
2. Keep your newborn Baby Comfortable
A settled baby makes all the difference. Feeding your baby just before the session (or during, if needed) can help them feel content. Baby is definitely the boss of the session so I’ll be guided by them and any siblings.
Warm, cosy environments and gentle handling will also help your baby relax.
3. Embrace the Chaos (Especially with Siblings!)
If you have toddlers or young children, it’s completely normal for them to be a little unpredictable.
They don’t need to sit still or “perform.” Some of the most beautiful images come from natural interactions—snuggles, giggles, or even those slightly chaotic moments. Let them be themselves.
If you are nervous about your toddler please don’t worry, they tend to love new people and I’ve got a few tricks of games up my sleeve if we need some help.
4. What should I wear to a family photography session?
I recommend planning your clothing well in advance. It’s really important that your children feel comfortable in their clothing, as do you, as this can have a huge impact on how much you love your family photos.
When you book your newborn photo session with me, I provide plenty of guidance. I don’t prescribe exact outfit choices but I do love making recommendations if you would like to achieve a certain look. I am always on hand to help you decide what can work best and make suggestions.
Neutral tones, soft textures, and simple clothing work beautifully in photos and keep the focus on your connection as a family.
5. Trust the Process
You don’t need to worry about what to do with your hands or how to pose—that’s all taken care of.
Just focus on your baby, your partner, and your children. Cuddle them, talk to them, soak them in. The most meaningful photos come from genuine connection, not perfect posing.
Also Trust your photographer (ME)
I have worked with many families with babies and children of all ages and always take a relaxed and natural approach. I will guide you through the process, encourage you to interact with each other while I take candid shots, and sometimes suggest a particular pose if I think it can work well for you. I pour my heart into every portrait session and ensure your family photo session is a success!
6. Let Go of Perfection
Your home doesn’t need to be spotless. Your baby doesn’t need to sleep the entire time. Your toddler doesn’t need to smile on cue.
Real life is beautifully imperfect—and that’s what makes your story yours. When you let go of expectations, you create space for honest, heartfelt moments to unfold.
These early days pass in a blur, but photographs allow you to hold onto them forever.
A relaxed session isn’t about creating perfect images—it’s about capturing your family exactly as you are, in this moment, with all the love, tenderness, and connection that comes with it.
And that is always enough 🤍
After our session… what can you do with your newborn photos?
Creating something your children will treasure one day
Imagine sitting down with your children in years to come, turning the pages of a beautiful album together… reliving these early days, the tiny details, the way everything felt.
It’s just not quite the same as scrolling through them on a laptop, is it? 😉
There’s something so special about having your photographs printed—something you can hold, revisit, and pass down. It becomes part of your family story.
Growing up, my dad always had a camera in hand. Because of that, I have so many photos from my childhood—moments I wouldn’t even remember otherwise. They’re some of my most treasured things, and now I love sharing them with my own children too.
That’s why I truly believe an album is such a meaningful way to finish your session. It turns your images into something lasting—something your children will one day look back on.
If you’d like, I’d love to chat you through some beautiful, bespoke options 🤍
