Here's something I hear from almost every new parent before their session: "What if she won't sleep? What if he cries the whole time? What if we just... don't get anything?"
I get it. You've seen those dreamy newborn photos; peacefully sleeping baby curled up in a tiny basket, perfect little lips, impossibly soft skin. And you're looking at your very awake, slightly gassy, opinionated-about-everything newborn thinking: that is not my child.
Here's what I want you to know: I've never had a session where we didn't get beautiful photos. Not once. And I've worked with some spectacularly fussy babies.
First, let's normalize the timeline
A newborn session isn't a 45-minute sprint. We typically set aside 2 hours, and that time is built for babies, not around them. There's always room for a full feeding, a diaper change, a long soothing stretch, and whatever else your baby needs. The schedule exists to serve your little one.
When a baby is fussy, we pause. We swaddle, rock, use white noise, try a pacifier, hand them back to you for a cuddle. Most of the time, within 15-20 minutes, they've settled right back down.
What actually happens when a baby won't sleep
Not every newborn is a sleepy, curled-up poser and honestly, awake babies can be magical to photograph. Those wide, dark, brand-new eyes looking up at the world? The tiny expressions that flicker across their face when they're taking everything in? You cannot recreate that.
If your baby stays awake and calm, we lean into it. Alert shots, detail shots, hands, feet, the curve of their ear, the way they grip your finger. We also bring you into more of the photos, and those tend to be the ones parents cry over when they see their gallery.
If your baby is gassy or uncomfortable, we work with gentle soothing between setups. No rushing, no pressure. I've swayed more babies in the studio than I can count, and I come prepared.
How to set yourself up for a sleepy session
A little prep goes a long way:
Feed right before we start. A full belly is the single best thing you can do. If you're nursing ot bottle feeding you’re welcome to feed right when you come in.
Keep baby a little awake beforehand. I know, counterintuitive, but if baby has been napping all morning, they might be ready to party by the time they get to the studio. A slightly tired baby when they arrive is ideal.
Bring the pacifier. Even if your baby doesn't really use one at home. Sucking is one of the most effective soothing mechanisms there is, and in the studio it can make all the difference.
Dress in layers. My studio is warm on purpose. Warm environments mimic the womb and help babies settle. You'll be comfortable; just don't wear your heaviest sweater.
The thing I really want you to hear
Your baby doesn't need to perform for these photos to be beautiful. They just need to be themselves however that looks on the day. Some of my most treasured galleries have come from sessions where baby was wide awake the whole time, or where we spent the first hour just quietly getting them settled.
These photos are about the truth of those first days. Your newborn's face. Your hands holding theirs. The size of them against your chest. None of that requires a perfectly asleep baby.
If you're on the fence about booking because you're worried your baby will be "too difficult" please reach out. I'd love to tell you more about how I work and why I genuinely believe every baby, at every temperament, deserves these photos.
