Preparing for Your Newborn Photography Session: A Step-by-Step Guid

Newborn session typically lasts between 2-4 hours. Newborn mini session is shorter and lasts around 1-1.5h.

We offer a range of packages tailored to your needs. You can choose a session focused solely on your newborn, or include siblings and parents even your dog. You also have the option to bring grandparents along to capture multi-generational photos with the newest family member. The ideal time for a newborn session is within the first 7-20 days of birth, as babies tend to be sleepier during these early weeks, making them more relaxed and easier to position. After the second week, they start stretching more and sleeping less deeply, making the curled-up poses trickier to achieve, and baby acne may also begin to appear.

**How to Prepare for Your Newborn Session**

If you’re first-time parents, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Before your session, I’ll send you a comprehensive preparation guide with everything you need to know. Following the guide will help ensure a smooth and stress-free session for both you and your baby.

**What to Expect at the Session**

During the session, I’ll begin by wrapping your baby in soft, stretchy wraps that keep them cozy and comfortable. I have a wide variety of wraps and scarves in different colors to choose from. We’ll start with wrapped poses, using baskets, buckets, and other props that I have in the studio—this is what’s known as a basket or bowl setup.

Conclusion

Preparing for a newborn photography session is an exciting and heartwarming experience. By following these steps and entrusting your photographer, you can capture timeless images that encapsulate the pure essence of your baby's early days. Embrace the journey, savor the moments, and let the magic of newborn photography unfold before your eyes.

With the right preparation and a touch of patience, your newborn photography session will not only result in beautiful images but also create lasting memories to treasure forever. Enjoy every moment of this special time and let the photographer work their magic to encapsulate the innocence and beauty of your newborn.

Every newborn session I offer includes a special touch—1-2 beautiful composite images or floral creations. These are thoughtfully designed by blending two separate images, with digital backgrounds often featuring fresh flowers or gentle, dream-like settings. For any poses that involve hanging, I use this composite technique to ensure your little one is completely safe. Safety is my top priority, and I always avoid any poses that could compromise your baby’s comfort. Before your session, I’ll invite you to select your favorite composite styles from a gallery, so these images will reflect your vision.

After capturing the fully wrapped poses, I’ll gradually unwrap your baby to reveal those tiny, sweet hands and feet. Babies often flash the most precious smiles during this time—it’s one of my favorite moments! Wrapping provides them with comfort, so they feel safe and secure throughout the session.

Occasionally, I even get a magical direct gaze from a newborn as young as 10 days old. Once we’ve completed the wrapped poses, we’ll move on to an outfit. I have a variety of soft, comfortable baby outfits available in the studio, carefully chosen in calming colors for both boys and girls. Usually, I select just one outfit for the session to avoid unnecessary stress for your baby. Keeping them calm and content is always my goal.

Toward the end of the session, if your baby is comfortable, I may attempt some nude shots—though this depends entirely on how your baby feels at the moment. If your little one seems unsettled, I never push for the shot. We flow with what feels natural for them.

If siblings are joining us, we’ll begin with sibling poses right away. I understand how quickly toddlers can lose patience, so I prioritize capturing those heartwarming moments between the siblings first. These images are often among parents’ most cherished treasures, as children grow up so quickly. I know how special it is to capture those early moments of sibling love.

Afterward, we’ll move on to portraits with the parents. By now, the sibling is usually still in a good mood, so it’s a wonderful time to get the whole family involved. These family shots can take up to an hour. Once they’re done, I usually suggest that one parent takes the older sibling out for a fun activity while we wrap up the session with just the newborn.

Once we finish, I’ll carefully edit your images to ensure they meet my highest standards. It typically takes about up to 2 weeks for me to finalize and present your beautifully crafted gallery.

Award-winning photographer Ilona Musial specializes in fine-art portraits for newborns, milestone babies, maternity, and family photography. Her “less is more” style puts your baby at the heart of every image, creating timeless portraits that focus on their pure essence. Ilona’s love for soft, natural whites adds an organic touch to her sessions, and her ALL WHITE sessions offer a minimalist, serene backdrop. Located in Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut, her cozy studio is perfectly equipped with everything you need. All you need to bring is your beautiful baby, relax, and let the magic unfold.