Newborn Photography Tips for Stunning Photos | Cameron, Saint Joseph & Kansas City MO
How to prep your baby, your house (and your heart) for a picture-perfect session.
Let’s be real for a second: the newborn phase is a magical, messy blur. You’re sleep-deprived, your house has more burp cloths than floor space, and you can’t remember when you last ate a hot meal. (Was it yesterday? Tuesday? Who knows.) But you also know this stage is fleeting — and you want to remember it forever.
That’s where I come in. As your go-to newborn photographer in the Kansas City and St. Joseph areas, my job is to make this process simple, stress-free, and — most importantly — full of gorgeous images you’ll treasure for life.
Here are my top tips to help you prepare and make the most of your newborn photo session.
Timing Is Everything (And So Is Napping)
The ideal time for newborn photos is when baby is between 5–14 days old. If you are looking for those oh-so-squishy, sleepy, and love to curl into those sweet, womb-like poses.
That said, older babies can still have beautiful sessions, especially lifestyle or more candid ones. If you're already past the two-week mark, don't panic — we’ll still capture magic.
Pro Tip: Schedule your session before baby arrives if you can. I only take a limited number of newborns per month to keep things flexible for those unpredictable arrivals.
How to Prep Baby
A calm, sleepy baby = photographer’s dream. To help us get those adorable wrapped, curled, and snoozing poses, here’s what helps:
Keep baby awake for a bit before the session — a warm bath or some tummy time works wonders.
Feed baby right before the session (either at home or as soon as you arrive at the studio).
Dress baby in something easy to remove like a zip-up sleeper. No over-the-head onesies, please!
Bring extras — pacifiers, diapers, wipes, burp cloths, and milk (bottle or boob — no judgment here).
And don’t worry — I’ve had every bodily fluid known to man sprayed at me during a newborn session. Nothing surprises me anymore.
Studio or In-Home: What’s the Vibe?
You’ve got options, mama!
Studio sessions are perfect if you want soft lighting, your styled props, cozy wraps, and the ultimate in baby-snug aesthetics. You show up, I do the rest.
Lifestyle sessions take place in the comfort of your home — real, relaxed, and meaningful. Think snuggles on the couch, baby in the nursery, and the story of your first days together.
If you’re unsure which one is right for you, we’ll chat about your vision and what you want from your images. Spoiler: you can’t go wrong.
What Should You Wear?
Yes, you’ll be in photos too — and you should! Your baby will want to see you in these images someday. Choose something:
Soft and neutral — whites, creams, pastels, or muted earth tones always photograph beautifully.
Comfortable and flowy — because you deserve to feel good.
Coordinated but not matchy-matchy with your partner or other kiddos.
I also offer a client closet with wardrobe options for mamas that are flattering and photo-ready. And if you need help choosing, I got you.
Posing & Safety: My #1 Priority
Newborn posing is an art — and a responsibility. I’m trained in safe posing techniques, and baby’s comfort always comes first. No crazy bending, no weird balancing acts. Sessions are baby led, so if babes not having it, we aren’t doing it.
We’ll use a mix of:
Wrapped poses (everyone’s favorite swaddle shots!)
Detail shots (tiny toes, fuzzy ears, button noses)
Parent + sibling poses for connection and storytelling
No pressure to “perform” — if baby’s fussy, we roll with it. I work on baby’s timeline, with lots of time for feeding, soothing, and snuggling.
Real Talk: What to Expect
Sessions usually last 2–3 hours, especially for posed studio sessions. There’s a lot of shushing, wrapping, rocking, and snuggling involved. It's like a baby spa day with a camera.
For lifestyle sessions, things move a little quicker — usually around 1–1.5 hours — and the vibe is more relaxed and documentary-style. I dont bring much extra besides my camera and just work with your home and lighting.
Afterward, you’ll get a beautiful online gallery to choose your collection. There are sizes and price points, something for everyone. Digital images and the option to use your print credit toward heirloom-quality albums, wall art, and gifts (hello, proud grandparents!). Can be chosen after the proofing and editing.
You only get one shot (pun intended) at newborn photos. But don’t stress — I’ll walk you through every step, make sure you feel at ease, and capture the kind of images that become family treasures.
Ready to book your newborn session?
👉 Let’s Chat and Get You Scheduled
I can’t wait to meet your sweet little one (and maybe sneak in some baby snuggles while I’m at it).
newborn session, newborn poses, newborn photography equipment
