Newborn photoshoot checklist: What to bring to your baby’s portrait session
As a new parent, getting out of the house with your baby for the first time may seem daunting. You used to be able to get out the door in moments, grabbing a few essentials on the way – now everything will have to go at a far slower pace. Your baby may be tiny, but they definitely dictate the pace!
When you have a newborn photoshoot to attend, it can be difficult to know what to pack in your bag. It can often be the very first occasion that you’ll leave your home after the birth, so you might well wonder how you should get your newborn ready for their photoshoot and what you should bring with you.
I know from experience what a shock to the system life with a newborn baby can be, so here I’m sharing tips and a suggested newborn photoshoot packing checklist to help!
This blog lists everything you need to bring along, and I hope that it will make packing for your baby’s newborn session quicker and easier. Keep reading and you'll find that I have a free guide to newborn photography available, that you can download if you wish, with this checklist included.
Newborn photography checklist: An essential guide for new parents
1) Car seat and blanket
An obvious one to start with but, if you are coming to me in your car, your baby’s new car seat is essential.
When you arrive at my studio, you can carry your baby in within their car seat or bring the pushchair into the hallway. There’s no need to get them out immediately on arrival and risk disturbing them unnecessarily; they may be having a lovely snooze and it would be shame to interrupt that before we’re ready to get started.
Depending on the time of year, a warm blanket is usually a great idea to keep them warm and feeling safe. If it’s a lovely knitted one, it may also be nice to use in the photos as a prop.
2) Milk
Regardless of whether you’re booked in for a shorter mini newborn photoshoot or a bespoke newborn photoshoot that’ll last several hours, you’ll obviously need to feed your baby during your time with me. My studio is a safe and comfortable place to breastfeed your baby or, if you are using formula, my advice is always to bring more than you think you will need.
We will be in a private space where you can relax and take your time feeding your baby as little or as often as needed. All my newborn photoshoots are baby-led which means that we take the photoshoot at your baby’s pace.
Related reading: How long will a newborn photography session last?
3) Baby-gro
I ask new parents to dress their baby in a simple baby-gro with poppers – one that doesn’t need to go over their head. This can then be easily removed once we are ready to get started with the photos.
The baby-gro should be loose fitting so that it doesn’t leave any marks on your baby’s delicate skin. Instead of putting a vest on your baby, please use blankets to keep them warm – the fewer layers to remove the better.
Do please bring at least one spare baby-gro; they may not be able to go home in the one they arrived in if there are accidents during the session.
4) Nappies and baby cream
There are complimentary nappies available in the studio but do bring at least a few of your own as well, particularly if you have a favoured brand.
During a typical newborn photoshoot, we can go through several nappies because your little one may wee or poo at any moment so, just like with the milk, bring more than you think you’ll need!
Also bring along any special nappy creams you’re using.
5) Baby wipes and muslin cloths
I will always have spare wet wipes in the studio, but if you have a favourite brand please bring those along. We’ll probably use a lot of these! There will always be cotton wool and clean water available in my studio as well.
Cotton muslin cloths are also invaluable for mopping up spills. I have some in studio, but they are always a valuable addition to your nappy bag!
6) Soft toy and accessories
Your baby will likely spend much of their time asleep at this young age, but feel free to bring along anything that is meaningful to you. For example, many parents bring to their newborn photoshoot things such as a special knitted blanket that they’ve bought or been gifted, or a small soft toy from someone special.
Or, you might like the photos to include a nod to your cultural heritage, professions or personal passions by bringing along items of uniforms, flags or any sport, music or art-related memorabilia, for example.
7) A dummy / pacifier
If you do use a dummy, bring it along with you. Even if you’ve never used one with your baby, you might want to bring one along just in case it proves useful. They can be handy for helping to settle babies during their session. Of course, if you don’t wish your child to use a dummy, this is completely optional.
8) Snacks
When visiting me, you’ll be well looked after. There is always fresh water to hand, and biscuits and fruit. Mums, in particular, need to keep up their energy levels while recovering from the birth and getting used to sleepless nights, as well as feeding.
During bespoke newborn sessions (which last a good few hours), I provide tea and coffee and sandwiches too. If this the session type you've booked, please let me know in advance if you have any dietary requirements.
9) Consider your own clothes and bring a spare shirt
Don’t forget to consider what you’ll wear to the newborn photoshoot since you’ll also be in some of the photos. All parents who come to my photography studio are encouraged to get in front of the camera with their baby for a few family portraits.
While you might feel reluctant about this, these are wonderful pictures to have and I’m certain you’ll love looking back on them in the years to come. No doubt you’ll be amazed at how young and fresh-faced you looked!
You don’t need to dress up, but do wear plain colours if possible – something casual and flattering, ideally without busy patterns or large logos. I’d advise you to stick to a limited palette of colours so that yours and your partner’s clothing works well together.
Do also pack a change of shirt, mum and dad, as there may be the need to change – life with a newborn can be messy after all!
Don’t forget to grab your free newborn photoshoot checklist
Have you found this newborn photoshoot checklist for parents useful? I hope so!
There really isn’t that much that you need to bring to your newborn photoshoot, but I thought that you might find it handy to have that reassurance as well as a practical list that you can tick off as you pack and prepare for newborn photos.
You can get a printable version of this checklist within my free downloadble guide that I've created all about newborn photography.
The guide includes of all the tips I have shared here, as well as everything you need to know about newborn photography. Enter your details in the form below to receive it in your inbox within minutes!
Yet to book your newborn portrait session? Get in touch today.
For more information about my baby, child and family photoshoots, please browse my website. If you can’t find the information you need or have any questions before booking your session, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Andrea
