There’s something so tender about preparing your space for a newborn session. It’s quiet, intentional work. A soft kind of nesting that mirrors what you’ve already been doing in your heart for months. When everything is set with care, your session doesn’t feel rushed or overwhelming. It feels gentle. Unfolding.
What kind of photos can you expect?
My approach to newborn photography is gentle, natural, and rooted in safety.
I don’t focus on highly posed or overly styled baby images that require unnatural positioning. Instead, I follow your baby’s lead, keeping them comfortable and supported at all times. With my experience working in a local hospital as a Fresh 48 photographer, I’m deeply familiar with safe newborn handling and always prioritize your baby’s well-being above all else.
My style leans more toward lifestyle than traditional posed newborn photography. That means your session is centered around connection. The way your baby rests in your arms, the quiet interactions between siblings, the soft presence of your pets woven into your everyday life.
I also offer a carefully curated client closet with beautiful, timeless pieces to help you feel effortlessly put together without added stress. If you’d like to explore more details about what to expect, you can find additional information here.
Make sure your house is warm enough for an in-home newborn photoshoot.
A cozy baby sleeps, a cold baby cries.
Before your session begins, I always recommend heating your home or photography space to around 80 degrees. I know that might feel a little uncomfortable for you at first. You may find yourself reaching for a cool drink or dressing in lighter layers. But for your baby, this warmth feels deeply familiar. The womb sits in the 90s, and recreating that cozy environment helps your baby settle into a calm, sleepy state.
A warm baby is a relaxed baby. And a relaxed baby allows everything to flow more naturally. You’ll notice longer stretches of sleep, softer transitions between poses, and an overall sense of ease throughout your session.
We always stay attuned to your baby’s cues. If their face becomes very flushed or you notice sweating, we’ll gently adjust the temperature. It’s incredibly rare for a baby to overheat in a room around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I usually have the baby in just their diaper, a swaddle, and a cute bonnet.
Another thoughtful detail that makes a beautiful difference is your swaddle.
I recommend setting aside a swaddle that coordinates with your overall look. Avoid pure white, which can photograph a bit harshly and draw attention away from the connection in your images. Instead, lean into creamy beiges, warm ivories, and soft neutral tones. These shades photograph beautifully and create that dreamy, cohesive feeling throughout your gallery. Click here for a recommendation for a swaddle type I really love.
I’ll be bringing a gorgeous woven Moses basket (which you can purchase here) with my own blanket (which I will subsequently wash after use, don’t stress, safety is my #1 concern.)
Timing also plays a quiet but powerful role in your session.
I typically advise parents to schedule as soon as they feel comfortable after birth – usually around the 2-week mark. While fresh 48s are fantastic (baby photos within the first 48 hours before birth), scheduling that can be challenging. The further we get from babies birth the harder things become to capture a sleepy baby sometimes. In addition, after more than a few weeks, baby acne and potential skin irritations arise, so I really recommend in-home sessions as close to birth as possible/comfortable for families ideally within the first week or two of birth.
Newborn sessions are best scheduled in the morning through midday, when babies are naturally more settled and sleepy. Earlier hours tend to align with their gentlest rhythms, before they become overtired later in the day. If you’ve started to notice even a loose pattern in your baby’s sleep, I recommend scheduling your session during what would typically be a longer nap window.
I recommend feeding the baby before our session, or if you love nursing photos, we can capture that unique connection at the beginning of our session. Weekday during the day is best for this experience as we can relax, take our time, and have a lengthier session and capture your story in a more relaxed manner.
Newborns have very short wake windows, often around 45 minutes to an hour. When we honor that rhythm, your baby is much more likely to drift into a deep, restful sleep, allowing us to move slowly and intentionally without frequent interruptions.
How long do in-home newborn photoshoots last?
I offer in-home newborn sessions on weekdays, thoughtfully scheduled in 1.5 to 2-hour windows. This slower pace allows us to follow your baby’s lead without ever feeling rushed. There’s space to pause for feedings, settle in for outfit changes, and even step outside for a few moments if the weather feels just right. We move gently, giving your baby time to rest, reset, and stay comfortable throughout. This gives us plenty of relaxed time to hang out, listen to calm music or white noise depending on babies whim, and get all the sweet, tender photographs you’ve been dreaming of.
And because we live in Seattle, we also have to talk about lighting based on time of year.
Seattle homes, especially in the fall and winter months, can feel beautifully moody but a bit dim for photography. To create that soft, luminous look you see in my work, I use an on camera flash called a speedlight. I gently bounce it off ceilings or walls to mimic natural light. This technique spreads the light evenly throughout the room, creating a soft, diffused glow that feels natural and calm. Please remember, a camera flash, no matter how strong, poses no threat to your child’s eyes.
Most babies sleep right through it.
For the most part, if we’ve prepared properly, your baby remains cozy, undisturbed, and settled, while we’re still able to create beautifully lit images even on the gloomiest Seattle days.
When your space is warm, your tones are thoughtfully chosen, your timing aligns with your baby’s natural rhythm, and your environment is gently supported with soft, natural-feeling light, everything begins to fall into place.
What’s the turnaround time for in home newborn photos?
Turnaround time for your in-home newborn gallery is two weeks.
This window allows me to move slowly and intentionally through your images, carefully selecting and editing each one in a way that feels true to the softness and connection of your session. I’m paying close attention to skin tones, light, and the small in-between moments that often become the most meaningful over time.
Within those two weeks, your images are thoughtfully curated and edited in my signature light and airy style, then delivered to you in a beautiful online gallery where you can view, download, and begin choosing your favorites for prints or artwork.
Your baby rests. You exhale. And your session becomes less about trying to make something happen, and more about simply allowing it to unfold.
