Yana Skakun
How to Prepare for a Newborn Photoshoot: Week-by-Week Guide
By Yana Skakun·12 March 2026·9 min read
A newborn session is one of the most time-sensitive photography experiences there is — the window for the classic curled, sleepy poses is just 7–14 days. Preparation makes an enormous difference, both to the mood of the day and to the images you come away with. Here is a week-by-week guide to everything you need to do from booking to the morning of your session.
The 5–14 Day Window
Newborn photography ideally takes place between day 5 and day 14 after birth. In this window, babies spend more time in deep sleep, still have the flexibility to be gently positioned in those curled poses, and have not yet developed the increased wakefulness and startle reflexes that come with weeks two and three. Sessions outside this window are absolutely possible — but they are styled differently, with more emphasis on awake expressions and baby-led positioning.
This is why booking during pregnancy (ideally around 28–32 weeks) is important — so your photographer has your due date and can pencil in a flexible session date that can be confirmed when the baby arrives.
Weeks 28–36 of Pregnancy — Booking
- ◆Book your photographer now: Good newborn photographers fill their calendars quickly. Book by week 32 at the latest, with a flexible session date around your due date. Most photographers keep a small window of reserved dates for this purpose.
- ◆Discuss style preferences: Look at the photographer's portfolio and identify what resonates with you — lifestyle (natural, at-home), studio (white and airy), or a mix. This is also the time to discuss whether you want sibling, partner, or wider family photographs included.
- ◆Ask about safety practices: Any newborn photographer should be trained in safe posing techniques. Ask directly — a professional will welcome the question.
- ◆Choose your props and colours broadly: You do not need to purchase anything. But having a general sense of whether you prefer neutral colours or something more colourful, minimal or layered, helps the photographer prepare.
The Week Baby Arrives — Confirming the Session
- ◆Contact your photographer within 24–48 hours of the birth to confirm your date, now that the actual arrival date is known
- ◆Confirm whether you are using your home or the photographer's studio — and ensure you know what to prepare for either scenario
- ◆If the birth was complicated or you are recovering from a Caesarean, let your photographer know — they will advise on adjustments
- ◆Confirm whether siblings will be included and plan approximately when they will arrive (usually at the end of the session)
The Session Is Flexible for the Baby
A professional newborn session is not rushed. It typically takes two to four hours because the pace is entirely dictated by the baby — feeds, nappy changes, and soothing time are all built in. You do not need your baby in a particular state when the photographer arrives. Simply a fed, comfortable baby is all that is needed.
The Day Before the Session
- ◆Warm the room (for home sessions): Newborns are only comfortable being undressed in a room temperature of around 24–26°C. For a home session, begin warming the session room the evening before. A cold room is the most common cause of a difficult newborn session.
- ◆Prepare outfits for parents and siblings: Choose clean, comfortable, neutral or earthy tones — avoid large logos, bright whites, or heavily patterned clothing. Soft greys, creams, sage greens, and dusty blues photograph beautifully.
- ◆Feed the baby before and during: A fed baby sleeps deeply. Feed your baby before the session begins and continue feeding on demand throughout — the session pauses as many times as needed. Do not try to time feeds to coincide with the session start.
- ◆Prepare for your own comfort: Sessions are long and sedentary. Have snacks, water, and anything else you personally need available. You may be holding a sleeping baby for extended periods — comfort matters.
On the Morning of the Session
- ◆Feed your baby 30–45 minutes before the session start time so they settle into deep sleep just as the session begins
- ◆Keep the nappy fresh at the start — nappy changes during the session are expected and planned for, but starting fresh helps
- ◆Clear the session space: a minimal, uncluttered environment photographs much better than a busy one
- ◆If siblings are coming, arrange for them to arrive in the second half of the session when the baby is in a settled routine
- ◆Avoid using strongly scented candles or air fresheners — babies are very sensitive to smell and unfamiliar scents can unsettle them
What to Bring if Visiting a Studio
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Nappies and wipes | More than you think you need |
| Bottles / feeding supplies | Studio will have private space for breastfeeding |
| Change of clothes for baby | In case of accidents during the session |
| Change of clothes for parents | For the parent/baby portrait section |
| White noise on a phone or small speaker | Familiar sounds help babies settle faster |
| Muslin cloths | Your own rather than studio cloths for comfort and scent |
| Baby's comfort item | A favourite swaddle or soft toy that baby recognises by smell |
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my baby is unsettled or crying throughout the session?
This is common and entirely manageable. A good newborn photographer has extensive experience with unsettled babies and will adjust the session pace, posing, and approach accordingly. A few extra feeds and some soothing time are built into every session. You will not leave without beautiful images because your baby cried.
Can I include our older children in the newborn session?
Yes. Sibling photographs are one of the most treasured parts of a newborn session. They typically work best in the second half, once the baby is settled and the main newborn poses are complete. Brief your older child beforehand — keeping the session fun and relaxed for them is important.
Is outdoor newborn photography possible?
Outdoor newborn sessions are possible but are typically lifestyle-style sessions at 3–6 weeks rather than the classic posed newborn sessions at 5–14 days. Speak with your photographer about what is achievable outdoors for your baby's age.
What if my baby has skin conditions, jaundice, or marks?
Let your photographer know in advance. Minor conditions (baby acne, peeling skin, jaundice colouring, forceps marks) are all very common and can be addressed in editing. They do not affect the session significantly. Your photographer will be aware and will work around them.
Should I be in the photos?
Yes. Many parents opt out of the parent photographs, and many later wish they hadn't. You are exhausted and feel far from camera-ready — but these are some of the most precious images in the whole gallery. Your photographer will make this as comfortable as possible.
Ready to book a newborn session? Get in touch with Yana to discuss your due date and reserve your session. Also read: Newborn photography safety tips.
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Newborn & Family Photography
Yana Skakun
Photographer · England
Professional wedding, family and portrait photographer based in England. Passionate about capturing authentic emotions and timeless moments.
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Newborn Tips — Newborn & Baby Photography in Cambridge & England
Newborn and baby sessions with Yana Skakun take place in the comfort of your own home — unhurried, led entirely by your baby's timings, and focused on the quiet intimacy of those first weeks. Sessions are available across Cambridge and the wider East of England. This guide — How to Prepare for a Newborn Photoshoot: Week-by-Week Guide — is part of the photography journal: practical, experience-based advice drawn from real sessions across England. Whether you arrived searching for prepare newborn photoshoot or newborn photography preparation, the same care and attention shapes every session Yana photographs.
Newborn & Baby Photography sessions are available year-round, with bookings open across Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon, Peterborough, and further afield — East England, London, the Midlands, and beyond. If you have specific questions about how to prepare newborn session, mention it in your enquiry. Get in touch through the contact form above to check availability and discuss your session. Enquiries are welcomed from anywhere in the UK.
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