If you’re expecting your first baby, you might be wondering what actually happens during an in-home newborn photography session. As a Philadelphia newborn photographer with over 15 years of experience, I’ve guided hundreds of new parents through this process, and I want you to feel completely prepared and at ease.
Here’s exactly what to expect when you book an in-home newborn session with me in the Philadelphia area…
Before Your Session: Planning and Preparation
When to Book
The best time to schedule your newborn photography session is during your second trimester. This gives us plenty of time to coordinate and ensures you have a spot reserved on my calendar for when your baby arrives. I typically photograph newborns between 5 and 14 days old, when they’re still mostly sleepy.
What We’ll Discuss
Before your session, we’ll have a quick phone consultation to talk about:
- Your preferred style (classic portraits, lifestyle in-home shots, or a mix)
- Process, pricing and what to expect after the session
- Any special requests you may have
Don’t worry if you’re not sure about any of this. I’ll guide you through every decision based on what works best for your home and your family’s personality.
What to Wear
For parents and siblings, I recommend comfortable, coordinating outfits in neutral or soft colors. Think cream, beige, soft blues, or muted greens. Avoid busy patterns or logos that might distract from your baby’s sweet face.
The beauty of in-home newborn photography is that you can easily change outfits if you want variety!
Session Day: What Happens When I Arrive
Setup (First 15-20 Minutes)
I arrive with everything we need: blankets, props, professional lighting, and camera equipment. While I’m setting up, this is a great time to:
- Feed your baby one more time
- Use the bathroom
- Grab a snack or water for yourself
- Relax and take a deep breath
There’s no rush. Newborn photography runs on baby time, not clock time. One of the first things I like to do is get on the floor and say hello to your dog (or cat!) if you have one. I also take this time to connect and build rapport with your older kids, if you have them!
The Session Flow (1-1.5 Hours)
Here’s the typical progression of a Philadelphia newborn photography session at your home:
Family and Sibling Photos
We’ll start with the family and sibling photos, since these tend to be the most exciting and/or challenging. I like to aim for a combination of beautifully posed and candid portraits. These are some of my favorite moments to capture:
- Mom holding her newborn
- Dad cradling his tiny baby in his hands
- Big siblings meeting their new brother or sister
- All of you together on your bed or couch
These lifestyle moments in your own home create authentic, emotional images that you’ll treasure forever since they will be taken in the time-capsule that is your home. The messy reality of new parenthood is beautiful, and I’m here to document it exactly as it is.
Baby Solo Portraits
Once we have lots of beautiful family photographs, I will focus on individual portraits of your newborn. I work gently and patiently, following your baby’s cues. If they need to eat, be changed, or just be held for a bit, we pause.
I’ll pose your baby in several setups:
- Wrapped in soft swaddles
- In basket and on a bed
- On textured blankets
- In whatever natural, peaceful positions they settle into
Detail Shots and Finishing Touches
Before we wrap up, I photograph all those tiny details that change so quickly:
- Miniature toes and fingers
- Delicate eyelashes
- Baby’s full head of hair (or sweet bald head!)
- Those impossibly small hands wrapped around your finger
What Makes a Session Successful
Patience and Flexibility
Some babies sleep soundly through the entire session. Others need frequent breaks for feeding, changing, or soothing. Both are completely normal, and I’m prepared for either scenario. As a mother myself, I understand that babies have their own timeline, and I never rush the process.
Safety First
Every pose and setup prioritizes your baby’s safety. Some of those adorable images you see online are actually composite photos (multiple images blended together). I’m always transparent about safety and will never put your newborn in an uncomfortable or risky position just for a photo.
After the Session: What Happens Next
Gallery Delivery
Within two weeks, you’ll receive a private online gallery with your beautifully edited images. You can view them at your leisure, share with family, and select your favorites for prints or albums.
I handle all the technical details—color correction, skin smoothing, and artistic editing—so every image looks polished and professional.
Ordering and Prints
The online gallery makes ordering simple. You can choose from various print sizes, albums, and digital files. I work with professional print labs to ensure the highest quality, and everything ships directly to your home.
