Sleeping newborn in brown knit bonnet and romper. Newborn photographer Rockingham.

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photos

Newborn photography is all about connection, gentleness and the tiny details that change so quickly. Whether your baby is just days old or a little further into the fourth trimester, your session should feel relaxed and centred around your baby’s needs. This guide will help you prepare in a way that keeps everything calm, simple and enjoyable.

Newborn sessions with me are completely baby-led. There is no pressure for your baby to sleep, stay still or behave a certain way. We follow their cues, take breaks whenever needed and keep the focus on comfort, safety and connection.

What to Wear for Your Newborn Session

Soft, neutral colours photograph beautifully and help keep the focus on your baby. Think creams, beige, oatmeal, muted greens, soft grey or warm browns. These tones work gently in both home environments and outdoor settings around Rockingham and Baldivis.

Avoid heavy patterns or bold colours. They can draw focus away from your baby and create colour casts on newborn skin.

Choose clothing that allows you to move comfortably, sit, stand and feed without restriction. If you have birthed recently or are recovering from a caesarean, please let me know so I can avoid poses that require lifting, extended standing or awkward angles.

If you are a Mother Mother photography client, you’ll have complimentary access to my Client Wardrobe, which includes postpartum-friendly pieces and a beautiful range of newborn outfit’s.
You can browse the wardrobe below

Newborn Wardrobe

Client Wardrobe for Mums

Preparing Your Baby

There is very little you need to do before your session. This time is all about staying calm and keeping your baby settled and comfortable. Here are a few gentle steps that help:

Keep baby in a comfy, loose outfit.

Anything easy to take off or adjust works well. Avoid tight socks, clothing that will leave elastic/zipper marks or stiff ucomfortable clothing.

Feed your baby shortly before we begin if possible.

This helps them feel calm and settled. Breastfeeding, formula feeding, expressed milk or mixed feeding all work perfectly.

Plan for feeding breaks.

Newborns feed often and unpredictably. We’ll pause whenever needed. Please feed in whatever way works for your family, and whenever your baby needs.

Have a spare outfit ready.

For you and for baby. Milk spills, nappy leaks and newborn surprises are all normal.

Have a dummy available if your baby takes one.

It can help soothe bub between shots, but it is completely optional.

Preparing Your Home (for Lifestyle Sessions)

If your newborn session is at home, you do not need to deep-clean, truly. Homes with newborns look like homes with newborns, and that is perfectly okay.

Here is all I ask:

Choose one or two areas with good natural light: Most commonly the master bedroom, lounge room or nursery.
Remove distractions and clutter: This can be as simple as clearing bedside tables or straightening a quilt.
Open blinds or curtains: Soft natural light if possible, is the most flattering.
Warm the room slightly (in winter): Newborn’s are more relaxed and sleepy when they feel warm.
Cleared floor space: If your session also includes my portable studio set up, we will need an area of about 2x2m of cleared floor space ideally in front of a well lit window.

If you are unsure which rooms will work best, feel free to send photos, or I can help pick the best spot when I arrive.

Feeding, Settling and Breaks

Newborn sessions move at the pace of your baby. We follow their cues closely and take breaks whenever they ask for it.

Feeding: You are welcome to breastfeed, bottle feed, express feed or mix feed whenever needed. There is no schedule to stick to and absolutely no rush.

Nappy changes: We change as often as necessary. Clean, dry babies are more settled, and this is part of the natural rhythm of newborn photography.

Settling: If your baby needs a cuddle, rocking, swaying, a change of position or the comfort of being held against your chest, we stop and allow that. Nothing is ever a disruption.

Pauses are not interruptions. They are part of the experience.

Supporting Your Postpartum Body

For a comfortable experience

Your comfort matters too, and if you’ve recently birthed your body deserves care and gentleness. Here are a few considerations:

Choose clothing you can sit, feed and move in without discomfort. Soft fabrics and stretchy waistbands help.
Let me know if you have had a caesarean birth or are finding recovery tricky. I can avoid poses that involve holding older siblings, extended standing or actions that strain your core.
Let me know about any pelvic floor heaviness or discomfort. We can focus on seated or supported positions and adjust easily.
If your sessions isnt at home, bring whatever you need for your own comfort. A cushion, water bottle or postpartum support wear are all welcome.

You should never feel like you need to “push through” anything for the sake of the photo. There is always a gentle alternative.

Incorporating Siblings

Siblings bring beautiful energy to newborn sessions, but they often need time to warm up. My approach is patient, playful and respectful of their pace.

Tell them simply what to expect.
You can say: “Sarah is coming to take some photos of us with the baby.” Keep it relaxed and light.

Avoid pushing them to kiss, hold or sit still.
Some big brothers and sisters dive straight in. Others prefer to observe. Both are completely normal, and both can result in beautiful photos.

Have a small snack or quiet activity available.
To help keep them occupied during resettling or newborn only moments.

Let them join in naturally.
Most children are happy to participate once they feel comfortable. Sometimes they just need to decide when that is.

What to Bring

You do not need much for a newborn session, but having a few essentials close by helps:

Nappies and wipes
Spare outfits for baby
Spare top for parents
Wraps or blankets you love
Bottles, expressed milk or formula (or just Mum if baby is breastfeeding)
Dummy if your baby uses one
Burp cloths
A small snack for yourself

If your session is outdoors, bring a warm blanket, water and a sun hat for older siblings.

During the Session

Newborn photography should feel slow, calming and natural. I guide you with gentle prompts, support you physically if you need help sitting or standing, and ensure everything we do feels safe and comfortable for your baby.

Your baby does not have to sleep for the session to go well. Awake babies are just as beautiful to photograph, and we follow their rhythms rather than trying to create perfect stillness. My goal is to capture your family as you are during these early days.

Preserving your families memories