If you’re expecting a baby and considering newborn photography, congratulations! This is such an exciting time, and choosing someone to capture those first precious memories is an important decision.
You may already have looked through portfolios, explored different photography styles and started imagining the photographs you’d love to have of your new arrival.
But what actually happens behind the scenes at a newborn photography session?
At Kingshill Studios, we’ve welcomed hundreds of tiny babies and their families into the studio. So, here are four things you might not know about your newborn photography experience.
1. You Can Book Your Newborn Photography Before Baby Arrives
You don’t need to know exactly when your baby will arrive before booking your session.
In fact, we encourage parents to get in touch while they’re still pregnant.
Newborn photography sessions require plenty of time, patience and flexibility, which means we limit the number of sessions we take on. Booking in advance allows us to reserve space around your due date and then arrange the actual session date once your little one arrives.
It also gives us time to plan.
Before your session, we can discuss the style of photographs you love, talk through what to expect and answer any questions you have. You’ll also have the opportunity to discover the beautiful printed artwork available for displaying your finished photographs.
Then, once baby makes their appearance, you can simply let us know they’ve arrived!
2. The First Few Weeks Are Ideal, But It's Not Too Late If Baby Is Older
Babies change astonishingly quickly during their first few weeks.
For those tiny, sleepy newborn portraits, we ideally photograph babies during their first three weeks. At this age, babies often sleep deeply and naturally curl into the positions that remind us just how tiny they were when they first arrived.
But please don’t worry if your baby is already here and you’ve missed that window.
Beautiful newborn photography is still possible with an older baby. We may simply adapt the session to suit their age, how settled they are and what they’re comfortable doing.
Every baby is different, and your session is built around your baby rather than expecting your baby to fit around us.
If your little one has already arrived, get in touch and we’ll talk you through the options available.
3. Your Newborn Photography Session Can Include the Whole Family
When you’re booking newborn photography, it’s natural to think mostly about photographs of your new baby.
But this is also an important moment in your family’s story.
That’s why family photographs are included as part of our newborn sessions at no additional cost.
Whether it’s your first baby or you’re introducing a new little brother or sister to older children, this is a wonderful opportunity to capture your family as it grows.
And if you don’t particularly enjoy being photographed, don’t worry!
You don’t need to know how to pose or what to do in front of the camera. We’ll guide you throughout and can find ways of including parents and siblings that feel comfortable and natural.
Years from now, those photographs of you together may become just as precious to your child as their newborn portraits.
4. Newborn Photography Is About Much More Than Taking Photographs
Photographing newborn babies requires a very different approach from most other types of photography.
Your baby’s comfort always comes first.
At Kingshill Studios, we use a baby-led approach throughout your newborn photography session. We watch your baby’s cues and work around what they need, rather than trying to rush through a fixed list of photographs.
If they need feeding, changing, cuddling or simply a little time to settle, that’s absolutely fine.
By carefully planning the session and minimising unnecessary movement and disruption, we can create a variety of beautiful portraits while keeping the experience as calm and comfortable as possible for your little one.
This is also why experience matters when choosing your newborn photographer. You’re trusting someone with one of the most precious people in your life, so you should feel completely comfortable with the person behind the camera.
Capturing a Moment That Changes So Quickly
Those first few weeks with a new baby can feel like a blur.
You’re getting to know this tiny new person while adjusting to an entirely different rhythm of family life. Meanwhile, your newborn is changing almost every day.
Their tiny fingers, sleepy expressions, little stretches and the way they curl up against you won’t stay that way for long.
Newborn photography gives you the opportunity to preserve those details before they disappear.
At Kingshill Studios, we want your session to be about more than creating beautiful photographs. We want you to feel relaxed, looked after and able to enjoy this incredibly special stage of your family’s story.
Because while your baby won’t stay this tiny forever, your photographs will.