Book, Plan, and Prepare For Your Perfect Newborn Session

maternity | Newborn | Senior | Milestone Photographer - Charlotte, nc

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Capturing the first precious days of your baby’s life with a newborn session is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve these fleeting, tender moments. Booking early with a trusted and experienced photographer ensures a seamless, stress-free experience. Imagine walking into a warm, welcoming studio where every detail is thoughtfully prepared—cozy wraps, delicate props, and a photographer who knows how to safely and beautifully pose your little one. With early planning, all you need to do is show up and enjoy the moment, knowing everything has been taken care of to create stunning, timeless images.

A baby boy dressed in a brown knit footed romper, with a matching brown hat featuring teddy bear ears. He is lying on his belly on a soft green background, gently cuddling a stuffed bear. His left arm is draped over the bear as he snuggles it in a peaceful pose.

From booking your session to the day-of details, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you know exactly what to expect. 

Booking Your Newborn Session Early

To ensure the best experience and availability, booking your newborn session early is essential. Ideally, secure your session during your second trimester. This gives plenty of time to prepare. After booking, I’ll send a newborn-specific questionnaire to gather details like colors, themes, and family outfits. This step ensures your baby photography session perfectly reflects your preferences.

While you’ll reserve your session in advance, the actual date isn’t set until your baby arrives. Once they do, we’ll finalize the session within the ideal range for posed newborn images: 5–13 days old. Babies at this stage are still in their sleepy, “bendy” phase, making it possible to capture those iconic curled-up poses.

A baby boy in a brown knit footed romper, lying on his belly during his newborn session. His head is resting on his hands, which are placed under his chin, creating a sweet and relaxed pose on a green background.

Planning Ahead for Your Newborn Photography Session

Preparation is key for a seamless newborn session. After booking, I’ll provide a planning guide and checklist to help you get organized. It includes tips for family outfits, dressing siblings, and items to bring. Whether your session includes family photos or focuses solely on your newborn, the guide ensures you’re fully prepared.

For family portraits, coordinating outfits in neutral or soft tones helps create timeless images. And don’t worry—my studio is stocked with props, wraps, and outfits for your baby, so there’s no need to bring extras.

Finalizing the Session Date After Baby Arrives

Once your baby is born, we’ll finalize the session date based on their arrival. Thanks to my process and the advantage of early booking, I reserve flexible spots around your due date. This system ensures that no matter when your little one makes their debut, I’ll have availability to capture those precious early days.

Because I only book a handful of newborns each month, I can maintain this flexible scheduling approach while still delivering a personalized and stress-free experience. After your baby arrives, I’ll reach out with a couple of available session dates within the ideal 5–13-day age range. This timing ensures we can capture those iconic posed images during your baby’s sleepy, flexible phase. Together, we’ll find a date that works best for your family, allowing you time to adjust to life with your newborn without worrying about the details.


Preparing for the Session

On the day of your session, plan to leave early so you arrive on time. If you live near my Waxhaw studio, feeding your baby before arrival helps them feel settled. Families traveling farther away will arrive earlier so we have time to feed their little one at the studio before we begin.

Packing a session bag the night before can save time and stress. Key items to include: extra diapers, a pacifier (even if they don’t typically use it for you), and a change of clothes for you if you have family photos and want to get comfy. The planning guide checklist also provides session-specific suggestions, depending on whether family photos are included.

Monroe, NC Mom, dressed in a light brown dress, cradles her newborn baby boy in her arms, looking toward the camera. The baby, wrapped in a brown wrap, is nestled close to her shoulder, showcasing their bond in a peaceful, intimate moment.

The Day of Your Newborn Session

Did You Book for Family and Newborn Photos?

If your package includes family photos, we’ll start with those heartfelt moments together. This portion typically includes:

  • Family portraits of everyone together
  • Individual shots of each parent with the baby
  • Sweet sibling and newborn interactions

While juggling a toddler, a newborn, and the whole family might feel chaotic, these moments are priceless. Documenting your family together freezes time, helping you remember your newborn at this tiny, perfect stage.

There’s something magical about Dad’s protective hand resting on his newborn son or a sibling’s curious gaze as they touch their baby brother’s tiny fingers. These are the moments you’ll cherish when your kids are older and running around. You’ll look back and remember just how small they were—and how much love surrounded them. And yep, dad please wear the ring!

Dad, wearing green, gazes down at his newborn baby, with the focus on the baby’s tiny form wrapped in a brown wrap. The photo highlights the contrast between the baby’s size and dad’s hand gently cradling him, emphasizing the baby’s delicate and small features.

After family photos, siblings can take a break while parents relax. Then, we move on to the newborn-only portion. Whether wrapped snugly or posed naturally, your baby will be the star of this baby-led session. Their comfort is always my priority, and I’ll follow their cues to create a stunning gallery of images.

Mom, wearing a light brown dress, holds her newborn baby boy against her shoulder. Her chin is gently resting close to his head, and both mom and baby have their eyes closed, creating a serene and tender moment of connection between them.

Thinking of a Newborn-Only Session

For sessions without family photos, we dive straight into capturing the pure essence of your baby. I’ll have multiple carefully planned setups ready, thoughtfully tailored to reflect your preferences from the questionnaire. Whether it’s incorporating your favorite colors, a meaningful theme, or sentimental props that hold special significance, each detail will be designed to create a gallery that tells your unique story.

My studio is fully equipped with everything we need to create a variety of stunning, timeless images that will capture the beauty of your newborn in all their adorable, tiny details. From the softest wraps to the most delicate props, everything is ready to go so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience. There’s no need to worry about a thing—just sit back, knowing that every moment is being beautifully captured for you to cherish forever.

Feel free to check out all the items included in each of the session packages I offer here: https://tobistimelesstreasures.com/newborn

Black and white studio baby image of parents hands overlapping as they make a heart around their infant sons feet.

Behind the Scenes of a Recent Family Newborn Session

I recently had the joy of working with a wonderful family who traveled from Monroe, NC, for their Platinum Newborn session. This session felt extra special, as I’d celebrated milestones with them before—most recently, their older son’s first birthday. Seeing them now as a family of four, with their 17-month-old who is now a big brother, was heartwarming. From the very start, it was clear how deeply loved this little boy is by his family.

We started with family photos, capturing tender moments between the parents, their toddler, and their newest addition. Watching Mom and Dad proudly hold their boys was a true delight. To add a personal touch, I included a little felt football in the newborn-only shots as a nod to Dad’s love for Eagles football. It was a fun and meaningful detail that reflected their family’s personality and made the session even more special.

For most newborn setups, we used soft neutrals and greens to coordinate with the baby’s nursery. These details created a cohesive gallery, making their images look timeless and perfectly at home on their walls. It was a pleasure to help this family preserve such precious memories as they welcomed their newest member.


Why Early Booking Matters

Booking early allows us to plan every detail, from selecting props and outfits to ensuring the studio is ready with your preferred themes. It also ensures we can capture your baby during the ideal window for posed infant photography.With a little preparation and communication, your newborn session will be stress-free and memorable. Whether you’re looking for family photos or a baby-only session, my studio is ready to help you preserve these fleeting moments forever.

Book Soon To Secure Your Session Date: https://tobistimelesstreasures.com/newborn

A close-up side profile of a baby boy in a brown knit footed romper in a Waxhaw studio. He is resting peacefully with his cheek on his hand, showcasing his sweet, serene expression against the soft green background.