One of the loveliest things about a newborn photoshoot at home is that you barely need to prepare at all. There’s no packing the car, no travelling with a tiny baby, and no leaving your bubble. I come to you with everything we need. That said, a few small things will help the morning run beautifully, so here’s everything worth knowing before your newborn photoshoot at home.
What to Wear for a Newborn Photoshoot at Home
Keep it simple and classic. Neutral, delicate colours photograph beautifully — think white, cream, soft light blue, and gentle muted tones. Jeans always work well, and mums, a simple dress looks gorgeous if you fancy it.
Try to loosely harmonise with each other rather than match exactly. You want to look like a family, not a boyband. Also, don’t worry about footwear — barefoot looks wonderful in these photos.
For your baby, you don’t need a single thing. Wraps, outfits, blankets, props — I bring it all with me.
Getting Your Home Ready
Warm and cosy is the goal
Cosy babies are sleepy, settled babies. For this reason, it’s worth popping the heating on a little higher than usual and keeping the room draft-free. If you’re feeling slightly too warm, it’s probably just right for baby!
A little floor space
I bring my own professional lighting, so I’ll need a clear patch of floor in your living area. Around 1.5 x 1.5 metres is plenty, plus access to a plug socket for my lamp. That’s genuinely all the space I need for your in-home newborn session.
Where we’ll take the photos
For some of the family shots — we’ll use either your bed or your sofa, and the choice is completely yours depending on the look you’re after.
The bedroom tends to feel a little more polished and timeless. If you’d like to go this way, fresh white bedding, ironed if you can manage it, looks beautiful, with the area right beside the bed kept clutter-free so everything photographs lovely and clean.
The living room sofa gives a more relaxed, casual feel. For this one, there’s no need to do much at all — just a quick tidy of the sofa and the space around it, so I can photograph without anything distracting in the background.
Both look gorgeous, so go with whichever suits your home and your style. And whichever you choose, I’ll also need a little patch of floor space nearby for some photos of baby on their own.
One last thing — please don’t worry about lighting or how bright your rooms are. I bring my own professional lighting with me, so we can create beautiful, soft photos in any room, whatever the weather or time of day.
Please don’t deep clean
Honestly. I only ever use one small corner of your home, and I know exactly what life with a newborn looks like. In other words, I’m there to photograph your baby, not inspect your skirting boards. A quick tidy of the spot we’re using is all it takes.
Preparing Older Siblings
If you have a toddler or older children, the best thing you can do is keep my arrival low-key. Please don’t build it up as a big event. There’s already been a lot of change in their little world, and zero pressure is the magic ingredient.
Here’s a lovely trick: suggest they choose a favourite cuddly toy that I can “take a photo of”. It gives them a job and breaks the ice beautifully. There’s no need to coach them to smile or behave — making children smile is my job, and I’m quite good at it!
One practical note: because I’ll have lighting equipment set up and my hands (and eyes) full with your baby, I’d kindly ask that an adult keeps an eye on toddlers during the session.
Before I Knock on the Door
A full tummy helps — but truly, no pressure
If it happens to work out, a lovely feed just before I arrive means a milk-drunk, sleepy baby, which is a dream to photograph. However, babies have their own plans, and that’s completely fine. If yours isn’t hungry at the “right” time, please don’t worry or try to force it — we simply feed whenever baby is ready. Cuddle and feeding breaks are a natural part of every newborn photoshoot at home, never rushed, and the whole morning is led by your little one.
Dress baby loosely that morning
Tight vests and nappy elastic leave little red marks on newborn skin that take a while to fade. So, after a feed, pop baby into something loose with a front opening, and fasten the nappy a little looser than usual. That way your baby’s skin is soft, smooth and photo-ready. Once I arrive, baby will be swaddled in one of my wraps and will very likely fall into sweet sleep.
A warm bath before the session
If you have time, a gentle warm bath on the morning of your session can make a lovely difference. The warmth helps ease any trapped wind, leaves skin looking soft and fresh, and often settles babies into that wonderfully calm, sleepy state that’s perfect for photographs. It’s just a suggestion — no pressure at all — but if it fits naturally into your morning, it’s well worth it.
You’ll be in some of the photos too
Nothing formal — just be “done” enough that you’re happy to jump in, with your outfit ready to go. Mums, if you like a little makeup, keep it soft and natural. And honestly, nobody will be looking at your tiredness. I sprinkle a little Photoshop magic where needed 😉 These photos are about love, not perfection.
Keep the session time just for us
Grandparents desperate for cuddles are wonderful, but a calm, quiet house helps baby settle beautifully. Therefore, it’s best to save visits for after I’ve packed away — they’ll have the photos to swoon over soon enough. If you’re planning to have grandparents or extended family in the photographs, no problem at all. Just let me know in the questionnaire so I can plan ahead.
Finally, if your baby takes a dummy, keep it nearby. It can be a quiet little helper for settling baby between poses.
In Short: Your Newborn Photoshoot at Home Checklist
Wear soft neutrals, warm the house, clear a small patch of floor, and pop fresh bedding on the bed — then relax. You don’t need to entertain me, feed me, or have a spotless home. Your job on the day is simply to be with your baby; everything else is mine.
I can’t wait to meet your newest arrival!
Ania x
P.S. Baby not here yet? You might also love my maternity sessions — bump photos and newborn photos make a beautiful pair.
And once your little one is sitting, toddling and full of personality, that’s the perfect moment for a family outdoor session — a beautiful way to capture how quickly they grow.
Looking for an at-home newborn photographer in West Sussex and Hampshire? Find out more about sessions, pricing, and what to expect on the main newborn photography page.
