Thank you for trusting me to document these precious early days with your little one. As both a mother and photographer, I know how quickly this time passes, and it's an honor to help preserve these moments for your family.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for your newborn session. I've designed the experience to be gentle, baby-led, and unhurried, ensuring a calm and comfortable environment for both you and your baby.
From timing your session to selecting outfits, every detail has been thoughtfully considered to create images that capture your newborn's personality and your family's connections.
Thank you for trusting me to document these precious early days with your little one. As both a mother and photographer, I know how quickly this time passes, and it's an honor to help preserve these moments for your family.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for your newborn session. I've designed the experience to be gentle, baby-led, and unhurried, ensuring a calm and comfortable environment for both you and your baby.
From timing your session to selecting outfits, every detail has been thoughtfully considered to create images that capture your newborn's personality and your family's connections.
Keep reading for more details on how to prepare for your newborn/ infant session, what to wear, including siblings, pets, and more.
My newborn and infant sessions are designed to be relaxed, natural, and baby-led, ensuring a calm and comfortable experience for both you and your little one. I'll gently guide you throughout our time together, but the best images happen when you simply soak in the moment and enjoy time with your baby.
This guide provides simple, stress-free tips to help you feel prepared and confident before your session. From choosing outfits to creating a cozy space, these small steps will ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.
After your session, I'll carefully curate and edit your images, and your gallery will be ready within four weeks. I'll also provide guidance on how to best enjoy and display your photos.
Our roughly two-hour session is designed to be relaxed and baby-led, capturing natural moments of connection and love. Here's what you can expect:
Most importantly, Relax and be yourselves! When families feel comfortable and connected, that's when we capture the truly meaningful photos you'll treasure forever.
Mornings are typically ideal for in-home sessions, offering soft, natural light and fresh, happy little ones.
Babies and siblings tend to be at their best earlier in the day—before tiredness sets in. While nap schedules can be unpredictable, morning sessions often align well with natural rhythms.
You know your baby's routine best, and we'll discuss any specific timing considerations during our pre-session phone call to ensure a relaxed and stress-free experience.
I will do my best to make sure you're looking just fine at all times. But really the most important thing is to just enjoy this time together and be yourselves.
Have these items ready:
✔ Special blankets, hats, or meaningful keepsakes
✔ Burp cloths
✔ A change of clothes for everyone
✔ Any sentimental items you'd like to include
✔ A prepared bottle (if you'd like to capture feeding moments)
For the best natural light photos:
✔ Turn off all indoor lights
✔ Tuck away visible cords and chargers
✔ Clear bedside tables of electronics and clutter
Don't forget outdoor spaces:
✔ Tidy your front porch and backyard—we may capture at least one family photo outside
✔ These outdoor moments help preserve the memory of your first home with baby
The most important thing? Keep it simple and fun! While it might be tempting to coach your children about smiling and following instructions, that's not my goal. I want to capture genuine moments of joy and connection as your family adjusts to this beautiful new change.
Let your children be themselves. If they get excited, wander off, or don't follow every suggestion, that's okay—these moments often lead to the most genuine photos.
We'll have a loose plan, but I'll also follow their lead. Kids love when they get to take charge, and their ideas often create the most joyful and authentic images.
Don't be afraid to be silly! Your children will LOVE seeing you laugh and play. If you're having fun, they will too!
Encourage outfits without characters or logos for a timeless look. That said, if your child has a favorite costume or T-shirt that's part of who they are, we can absolutely include it in a few photos!
Muted tones and earthy hues keep the focus on your family's emotions and connections. Avoid neon or overly bright colors, as they can be distracting and may reflect onto skin.
A little pattern adds visual interest, but bold, busy prints can steal attention from the moments we're capturing. Stick to subtle, classic patterns for a balanced look.
Layers add depth and warmth to your images! Since Bay Area weather can be unpredictable, cozy sweaters, light jackets, or textured fabrics (like knits and linen) work beautifully, especially if we sneak out for outdoor photos.
You can never go wrong with neutral tones—they coordinate effortlessly, photograph beautifully, and complement any setting, indoors or out.
Before the session, remove phones, keys, or bulky items from pockets—they tend to show up in ways you won't want in your photos!
For newborns, comfort is everything. We'll keep the space warm and peaceful, so dress your baby in soft, breathable fabrics—skip anything with scratchy tags or stiff seams. Choose simple, easy-to-remove outfits for those sweet bare-skin photos, and bring extra layers to keep your baby cozy between shots.
These photos capture your family's early days together. Choose clothing that allows you to hold, feed, and connect with your newborn effortlessly. When you're comfortable, your bonding moments shine through naturally.
Your newborn session is all about gentle cradling, feeding moments, and endless newborn snuggles. Wear soft, stretchy fabrics that let you move freely and focus entirely on your little one—especially if you plan to incorporate nursing or skin-to-skin moments.
Rather than perfectly coordinated outfits, choose clothing that complements each other naturally. This keeps the focus where it belongs—on your baby's tiny details and the love between you.
Before we begin, take a moment to empty pockets of phones, keys, and other small distractions. If using a pacifier, consider bringing a clear or neutral-colored one that won't stand out in photos.
For new moms, comfort is key. Loose-fitting tops, flowy dresses, or soft fabrics that allow for nursing and movement are ideal. Neutral tones photograph beautifully while letting you focus on your baby without worry.
For newborns, comfort is everything. We'll keep the space warm and peaceful, so dress your baby in soft, breathable fabrics—skip anything with scratchy tags or stiff seams. Choose simple, easy-to-remove outfits for those sweet bare-skin photos, and bring extra layers to keep your baby cozy between shots.
Your newborn session is all about gentle cradling, feeding moments, and endless newborn snuggles. Wear soft, stretchy fabrics that let you move freely and focus entirely on your little one—especially if you plan to incorporate nursing or skin-to-skin moments.
These photos capture your family's early days together. Choose clothing that allows you to hold, feed, and connect with your newborn effortlessly. When you're comfortable, your bonding moments shine through naturally.
Rather than perfectly coordinated outfits, choose clothing that complements each other naturally. This keeps the focus where it belongs—on your baby's tiny details and the love between you.
Before we begin, take a moment to empty pockets of phones, keys, and other small distractions. If using a pacifier, consider bringing a clear or neutral-colored one that won't stand out in photos.
or new moms, comfort is key. Loose-fitting tops, flowy dresses, or soft fabrics that allow for nursing and movement are ideal. Neutral tones photograph beautifully while letting you focus on your baby without worry.
For Babies & Kids
Kate Quinn | Mabo Kids | Gap | Primary | H&M | Old Navy | Janie and Jack | Burt's Bees Baby | Target | Hanna Andersson Preloved
Incorporate Special Hobbies
I want your session to feel personal and meaningful. If your family has a special hobby or tradition, I'd love to capture it! Maybe you enjoy playing music together, tending to your garden, or having spontaneous family dance parties.
Think about the small, everyday moments that bring you joy—those are the moments worth remembering. If there's something special you'd love to include, just let me know!
I love when families include their pets in their session! After many pet-friendly shoots, I've found that starting or ending with pet photos works best since they likely won't be in every image.
Some pets need time to adjust to a new face, so you know best when they'll feel most comfortable. If needed, we can set aside a calm space for them during the rest of the session.
I love when families include their pets in their session! After many pet-friendly shoots, I've found that starting or ending with pet photos works best since they likely won't be in every image.
Some pets need time to adjust to a new face, so you know best when they'll feel most comfortable. If needed, we can set aside a calm space for them during the rest of the session.
"Not only did she take stunning photos to capture precious moments with our new baby, but she was so knowledgeable and thoughtful when it came to our baby girl. I'm so grateful for the photos Sara took and already can't wait to have her back for our 1st birthday photos!"
Newborn sessions take place in your home anytime within the first 3 months, focusing on capturing the baby’s details and moments together. Fresh 48 sessions are done within the first 48 hours after birth or before you’re discharged, capturing those raw, early moments in the hospital.
Timing for newborn sessions is flexible based on my style. Some families want to capture the earliest moments and some prefer to feel more settled at home first.
Newborn sessions at home typically last about 2 hours to allow plenty of time for feeding, soothing, and to capture a variety of images. I’m flexible and don’t place timeframes on these sessions because I want to be sure we capture all of the important moments. I do try to keep Fresh 48s shorter since you will have just had your baby and want to provide plenty of time for you to rest.
Newborn sessions are baby-led, so we take breaks as needed for feeding, soothing, and diaper changes to ensure your baby is comfortable.
Keep your baby comfortable with a warm room and have extra diapers, wipes, and blankets on hand. For Fresh 48, just have a few simple outfits ready; the focus is on capturing natural moments.
Don’t avoid an indoor session just because you are worried your home is not picture perfect. I promise it doesn't matter. I have techniques to minimize background clutter by changing angles and moving in closer. What is important is documenting this special time. Of course, it looks best to tidy up before the shoot, but you still want it to look like your home. I’ll provide more specifics in the Newborn/Infant Session Guide and during our pre-session phone consult, but this part is easy and not something I want you to worry about at all.
Keep it simple. Choose outfits that make you feel comfortable and most like yourself. If you are breastfeeding, it might be best to find something that makes feeding easier or changing is also an option. Partners should also dress comfortably, but avoid shirts with logos or that are too busy to keep photos timeless. For babies, I recommend a neutral onesie and we can add color and warmth with swaddles. We’ll discuss this more and you’ll also receive more information about this in your Session Guide.
I frequently hear from folks that they feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. My goal is to make everyone feel relaxed and to enjoy the session because I believe sessions should be easy and relaxed. I provide gentle guidance to support connection and enhance lighting and composition. Primarily, I want you to be yourselves so we capture this moment in time.
It is a big transition having a new baby around, so I like to keep it very easy for older siblings. I’m a parent and early childhood special educator, so I happily will play and engage your older children. I share more details in your Session Guide after booking and we’ll work together during pre-planning to make sure everyone feels comfortable on the day of the session.
Absolutely! Your pet is part of your family, too, so I’m happy to include any pets during in-home sessions.
You may reschedule once if you notify me at least 48 hours in advance. We can transfer the session payment to a new date as long as it is within 6 weeks of the original booked date. This does not include rescheduling due to weather (rain, extreme cold) or a conflict out of my control. If I'm sick, I will also reschedule because I would never want to expose your family. In the event of session cancellation for any reason (other than weather), the retainer will not be refunded. If you cancel, all retainers paid are not refundable.
You’ll receive your edited high-resolution digital images within 4 weeks. A private online gallery will be provided for you to view and download your photos.
I provide light edits that may include adjustments in lighting, color, tones, and cropping. While I take pride in my craft and want to create beautiful and meaningful images for you, I don’t make extensive changes since my goal is to create natural and authentic photos. I'll remove little blemishes and polish things up, but I want your photos to represent reality. Please let me know in advance of your session if there's something specific you're sensitive about and I’ll do my best to accommodate.
I do not share RAW images. The photos I take with my camera are not the final product and are considered unfinished works of art. I spend a great deal of time in post-processing and it’s the combination of capturing and processing the photos that allows me to artistically create the final images included in your gallery.
Yes, additional digital images and prints can be purchased. I offer various collections and print options to accommodate a range of needs.
Booking is easy! Contact me via my website to schedule an initial call. A retainer is required to secure your booking. If you decide you’d like to book both, you’ll receive a discount on your second session.
A work of art, printed with archival ink on museum-grade canvas.
Modern box-style frames with a thick mat, ready to hang and display in any setting.
A classic and beautiful way to capture your big and small moments.
From prints that become keepsakes and albums that become heirlooms, bring your images to life with the magic of prints. Ordering details will be provided with your gallery.
A work of art, printed with archival ink on museum-grade canvas.
Modern box-style frames with a thick mat, ready to hang and display in any setting.
A classic and beautiful way to capture your big and small moments.
From prints that become keepsakes and albums that become heirlooms, bring your images to life with the magic of prints. Ordering details will be provided with your gallery.
You'll receive access via a private email link within 4 weeks of your session date. You can view, download, share, and favorite these images directly from your gallery based on the collection you've selected. Be sure to use your print credit and save your photos in a secure location. I recommend saving in multiple places.
Online Gallery Delivered
To Select Photos & Use Print Credit
Four Weeks
30 Days
Sneak Peeks
72 Hours
You'll receive access via a private email link within 4 weeks of your session date. You can view, download, share, and favorite these images directly from your gallery based on the collection you've selected. Be sure to use your print credit and save your photos in a secure location. I recommend saving in multiple places.
Your gallery will remain available for 30 days from the date the link is sent. Your print credit must be used within this time and cannot be reissued once it expires.
While digital files are great for sharing, there's something truly special about holding your memories in print—seeing them displayed in your home, where they can be enjoyed every day.
Through your gallery store, you'll have access to a professional lab where you can use your print credit and purchase high-quality prints, albums, and other à la carte items to preserve your family's story beautifully.
I truly believe your photos shouldn't just live on a hard drive. They are timeless keepsakes to hold onto—both literally and figuratively—and to pass down through generations.
Technology changes quickly, and images stored on old devices (remember floppy disks?) can become difficult to access. Printing your photos not only preserves these special moments but transforms them into art you can enjoy every day.
Explore, learn, and enjoy
Sara
I’m honored and grateful to capture this glimpse into your world and document the moments and connections as your family grows. If you ever have a question or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. No question is too small. See you soon!
— Sara
I’m honored and grateful to capture this window into your world and document moments and connections as your family grows. Whenever you are unsure or have a question, let me know. No question is too small.
I’m honored and grateful to capture this glimpse into your world and document the moments and connections as your family grows. If you ever have a question or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. No question is too small. See you soon!
Sara