How to Prepare for Your In-Home Newborn Session | Camas WA Newborn Photographer

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Session

(A simple, stress-free guide for expecting families)

Welcoming a new baby is full of emotion — excitement, exhaustion, and a lot of unknowns. One of the most common questions I hear from expecting parents is:

“How do we prepare for our newborn photos?”

The good news? Preparing for an in-home newborn session can be simpler than you might think. Lifestyle newborn photography is designed to move at your baby’s pace, embrace real moments, and create images that feel natural, warm, and true to your family.

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or adding another little one to your family, this guide will walk you through exactly how to prepare for your newborn session — with tips tailored for families in Vancouver, WA and Camas, WA.

What to Expect From an In-Home Newborn Session

Before diving into preparation tips, it helps to understand how a lifestyle newborn session works.

An in-home newborn session focuses on:

• Natural interactions and connection
• Your baby in familiar spaces
• Gentle guidance rather than stiff posing
• A relaxed, baby-led flow

Sessions typically last 1.5–2 hours, allowing plenty of time for feeding, soothing, diaper changes, and breaks. There’s no rush — and no expectation for your baby to sleep the entire time.

What to Wear for Your Newborn Photos

Choosing outfits is often the biggest source of stress — but it doesn’t need to be.

Simple Guidelines That Photograph Beautifully

• Stick to soft, neutral tones (cream, oatmeal, taupe, tan, muted sage, dusty blues or pinks)
• Choose texture over pattern (knits, linen, ribbed fabrics)
• Avoid logos, graphics, or busy prints
• Bare feet or neutral socks feel cozy and timeless indoors
• Click here for a shopable lookbook I created for photo-ready outfits

For Baby

• Simple onesies, diaper covers and swaddles photograph best but a sweet sweater or outfit are welcome for a few photos too
• Have one backup outfit nearby — just in case

If you’re ever unsure, I provide outfit guidance before every session to help you feel confident and comfortable.

Timing Your Newborn Session

There is no such thing as “running behind” during a newborn session. We can expect sessions to last 1-2 hours.

• Sessions are baby-led: feeding, soothing, and breaks are built in to my timing and encouraged
• Notice when you have the most natural light in your home and book your session around that time, if possible
• Awake moments of baby can be just as precious as sleeping photos

How to Prepare Your Baby

You don’t need to do anything special to get your baby “photo ready.”

Helpful tips:

• Have baby eat a bigger meal right before we start, if possible
• Looser clothes help avoid red marks on baby’s skin
• Warm the house slightly if that comforts your baby
• White noise is welcome
• Fussiness is normal and expected. It does not ruin photos
• You don’t need a ‘perfect’ baby for beautiful photos

You don’t need a perfectly calm baby for meaningful images. Some of the most beautiful moments happen in between soothing and snuggles.

Preparing Siblings for Newborn Photos

If older siblings are joining the session, a little preparation goes a long way.

Gentle sibling tips:

• Keep expectations simple, “Lena is coming over to take family photos of us! We’ll play and cuddle while she takes our picture. Her camera is pretty big and makes a ‘click, click’ sound!”
• Let littles be themselves (tantrums are normal and wiggles happen)
• Have snacks and water for a recharging break
• I’m flexible and plan to take sibling photos whenever cooperation is happening during the session
• Breaks are always okay
• It can sometimes be helpful to save rewards for after the session rather than throughout

I’ll guide siblings with prompts instead of forced poses, allowing connection to unfold naturally.

How to Prepare Your Home

One of the biggest worries parents share about preparing for their newborn photos is whether their home is “photo ready.”

Here’s the truth: your home does not need to be spotless.

Focus on:

• Clearing nightstands and main counters
• Opening curtains and blinds for natural light
• Turning off overhead lights
• Making the bed with neutral bedding if possible

If your home feels lived-in, cozy, and real — you’re doing it right. That’s exactly what lifestyle newborn photography is meant to capture.

What to Have on Hand During Your Session

A few helpful items to keep nearby:

• Extra diapers and wipes
• Burp cloths
• Pacifier (even if you rarely use one)
• A meaningful blanket or heirloom
• Snacks and water for parents and siblings

And most importantly: an open mind. The magic often happens in the unplanned moments.

What I Take Care of as Your Newborn Photographer

When you book with me, you don’t have to worry about directing every moment.

I provide:

• Gentle posing and natural prompts
• Safety-first handling of your newborn
• Light guidance for parents and siblings
• Attention to natural light and composition
• A calm, reassuring presence throughout the session

Your only job is to love on your baby — I’ll take care of the rest.

Final Thoughts: You’re Already Doing Enough

Preparing for your newborn session isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating space to remember this fleeting season — the tiny fingers, quiet snuggles, and the way your family fits together right now.

If you’re expecting and looking for a Vancouver, WA or Camas, WA newborn photographer who offers relaxed, in-home newborn sessions, I’d love to connect.

👉 Click here to learn more about what working together looks like.