| Family Guides
A Guide to Your Newborn Session
Everything you need to know before we capture this beautiful new chapter for your family.
Welcome to Your Newborn Session
First of all, congratulations! I'm so looking forward to meeting your newest little family member and capturing this incredibly special chapter of your lives.
Newborn sessions are calm, relaxed and completely guided by your baby. Feeding, cuddling, changing, settling and taking breaks are all part of the experience, so there is no expectation for your little one to sleep the entire time or for everything to go perfectly.
I love capturing a combination of those beautiful little details, individual portraits of your baby, and the connection between you all as a family.
This guide covers everything you might like to know before your session, from choosing outfits and preparing baby to what happens in the studio or at home.
There's a little bit to go through, but please don't feel like you need to remember it all! Take your time, come back to it whenever you need to, and know that I'll guide you through everything on the day.
Most importantly, I want you to feel comfortable, supported and able to enjoy this time together.
Guide Sections.
Choosing Your Newborn Experience
No two newborn sessions are quite the same, and that's something I really love about them.
Some families are drawn to those relaxed, natural moments together, while others would love to incorporate a few more carefully arranged photographs of their newest little arrival.
Lifestyle Newborn Photography
Lifestyle sessions focus on connection, cuddles and the little moments that make up your family's story.
We'll capture baby in your arms, the way they fit against your chest, their tiny fingers and toes, and plenty of photographs of you all together.
We can also photograph baby individually in simple wraps, blankets or comfortable setups. These don't need to be complicated or heavily posed to be beautiful.
And baby certainly doesn't need to be asleep. Some of the loveliest photographs happen when they're wide awake, looking around or making eye contact with you.
Lifestyle & Posed Newborn Photography
For families wanting a combination of natural family photographs and gently posed newborn portraits, we'll allow additional time for those individual photographs.
When baby is comfortable and settled, we can work through a few simple arrangements using soft wraps, blankets and supportive positioning.
We may begin with these photographs while baby is sleepy, then move into the more relaxed family photographs. However, the order will always depend on how your little one is feeling.
Your baby's safety, comfort and individual needs will always come first.
Changing Your Mind
You don't need to know exactly what you're going to feel like once baby arrives.
You're welcome to revisit your session preferences, and we'll work together to choose the experience that feels right for your family.
Any changes to your chosen package can be discussed before confirming your session.
What to Wear
Choosing what to wear is often the part families find the trickiest, but it really doesn't need to be complicated.
Soft, neutral colours photograph beautifully and help keep the focus on your baby and the connection between you all.
Some of my favourite colours include cream, ivory, oatmeal, beige, warm browns, muted greens, soft grey, dusty pink, dusty blue and gentle earthy tones.
Rather than dressing everyone exactly the same, choose a small collection of colours that complement one another.
For Mum
Flowing dresses, relaxed shirts, soft knits and comfortable fabrics all photograph beautifully.
Most importantly, please choose something that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
You've just had a baby, and there's absolutely no expectation for you to fit into your usual clothes or wear something that doesn't feel good.
For Dad
Simple shirts, plain tees, soft knits or linen shirts work wonderfully. Neutral colours and comfortable, well fitting clothing are always a lovely choice.
For Siblings
Soft dresses, knitted jumpers, rompers, simple shirts or comfortable everyday clothing in coordinating colours.
Try to choose something they can move around in and feel comfortable wearing.
A Few Things to Avoid
Large logos or prominent branding, fluorescent colours, busy patterns and thin, closely spaced stripes can be distracting in photographs.
I'd also avoid anything that needs constant adjusting or that you simply don't feel comfortable wearing.
Bare feet often photograph beautifully during relaxed family photographs, so there's no need to worry about coordinating everyone's shoes.
And one tiny detail you might not have thought about: your hands will probably feature in quite a few photographs with baby. Clean, natural nails are lovely, but there's absolutely no expectation to have a manicure!
Dressing Your Little One
When it comes to dressing your newborn, simple really is best.
For the beginning of your session, I recommend dressing baby in something loose, comfortable and easy to remove, such as a zip or button onesie.
This helps us change them without too much disturbance and reduces little marks on their skin.
Where possible, try to avoid tight socks, waistbands, headbands or clothing that needs to be pulled over their head.
During the session, we might photograph baby in a nappy, wrapped in a beautiful blanket, wearing a simple romper, or in something special you've chosen.
For family photographs, a soft, neutral onesie or knitted outfit can be lovely.
I also have a selection of neutral wraps, blankets and styling pieces available in the studio, including a beautiful neutral alpaca wool romper.
There's no need to bring lots of different outfits. One or two simple options are more than enough, and we'll work with whatever your baby is most comfortable wearing.
Outfit Inspiration for the Whole Family
You don't need an entirely new wardrobe to create beautiful photographs.
Start with one outfit you love, usually Mum's, and build the rest of the family's clothing around those colours.
Natural fabrics, soft layers and a mixture of subtle textures photograph beautifully together.
Soft & Timeless
Cream, ivory, oatmeal and natural linen. These colours create a beautiful, soft look that keeps the focus on your family.
Warm & Earthy
Muted greens, warm browns, beige and natural textures. These tones work beautifully together and add a little warmth to your photographs.
Gentle & Relaxed
Dusty blues, soft pinks, light greys and comfortable layers. Perfect for a relaxed, natural feel.
The Storybridge Client Wardrobe
I have a selection of beautiful dresses available for mums to borrow during their sessions.
If you'd like to use something from the wardrobe, just let me know beforehand so we can allow a little extra time to look through the options and get changed. You are also welcome to choose piece from The Weekend Wardrobe at no extra cost.
You're also more than welcome to send me photographs of outfits you're considering. I'm always happy to help you put everything together!
Helping Baby Feel Sleepy & Settled
Although your baby doesn't need to sleep for their photographs, having them comfortable and settled can make those lovely individual newborn portraits a little easier.
There are a few simple things you can do beforehand that may help.
A Little Awake Time
Where practical, some gentle awake time before your session may help baby feel ready for a lovely sleep once they've been fed and settled.
You might find that a bath, nappy change, cuddles or some quiet time looking around encourages this naturally.
There's absolutely no need to force baby to stay awake if they're tired or upset, and please don't delay feeds or make them overtired just for photographs.
If baby falls asleep before the session or snoozes the whole way in the car, that's completely fine too!
Feeding Your Baby
A full, comfortable baby will often settle more easily, so if it works with their usual routine, I recommend planning a feed shortly before the session or when we first get together.
Sometimes beginning with a feed works beautifully, allowing baby to feed, burp and settle before we start photographing.
Please bring any feeding supplies you normally need if you're visiting the studio, along with a little extra in case baby wants another feed.
Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle feeding or doing a combination of both, you're always welcome to feed whenever baby needs you.
There's no need to change your usual feeding routine.
If Baby Doesn't Settle
That's absolutely okay.
Some babies are sleepy, some are wide awake, and some have plenty to say about the whole experience!
We'll take our time, follow their cues and work around whatever they need.
The aim isn't to create a perfectly behaved baby. It's to capture your beautiful little person, exactly as they are.
Studio or Home?
Both my Balclutha studio and sessions in your own home offer something special, just in different ways.
In the Studio
My studio is a warm, comfortable space with soft furnishings, neutral backdrops and beautiful natural textures.
It's a lovely option if you'd prefer to arrive somewhere that's already prepared for your photographs.
I'll have neutral wraps, blankets and simple styling pieces available, along with white noise to help create a calm environment.
I'll also take care of keeping the room comfortably warm, particularly if baby is being photographed in a nappy or wrap.
Adults can get quite warm during newborn sessions, so I'd recommend wearing light layers that you can easily remove.
You're also welcome to request your own music if there's something that helps you feel more relaxed.
At Home
There's something incredibly special about documenting your family in the place you've brought your baby home to.
Your couch, your bed, the nursery you've lovingly prepared, and those little everyday corners of your home are all part of this chapter.
Home sessions are relaxed and familiar. We might photograph you cuddled together on the couch, standing beside a window, sitting on the bed, or spending time together in the nursery.
And please don't worry if your house doesn't look like something out of a magazine.
I'm not coming to photograph a perfectly tidy house. I'm coming to photograph your family.
Still Undecided?
You don't need to make your final decision until baby arrives.
If you originally planned a studio session but would feel more comfortable staying home, or the other way around, just let me know and we can discuss the options together.
Preparing Your Home
If you've chosen to have your newborn session at home, there are a few little things that can help us make the most of the space.
But first, please don't feel like you need to deep clean your entire house!
Your home is part of your family's story, and I want it to still feel like your home.
Finding the Best Light
When I arrive, I'll have a look around for the rooms with the loveliest natural light.
Depending on your home, that might be the master bedroom, nursery, living room or simply a cosy spot beside a window.
If possible, open your curtains and blinds before I arrive.
You don't need to turn every light in the house on. Household lighting can introduce different colours into photographs, so I may actually turn some lights off while we're shooting.
I'll assess the lighting when I arrive and bring additional equipment if needed.
A Little Tidy Up
If you'd like to prepare a few areas beforehand, I'd suggest:
Clearing bedside tables of anything you wouldn't want visible in photographs.
Straightening bedding and moving excess items off the bed.
Clearing obvious clutter from around the couch or living space.
Putting away anything especially bright or distracting, if it's easy to do so.
And that's really it!
There's absolutely no need to hide every sign that a baby lives there. Blankets, bassinets, books and all those little everyday things can actually make your photographs feel more personal.
I may move a chair, lamp, bassinet or a few small items while we're photographing to make the most of the light or composition. I'll always put everything back.
Keeping Baby Comfortable
If possible, have the rooms we're likely to use comfortably warm before I arrive, particularly if we're planning any photographs with baby lightly dressed.
There's no need to turn your whole house into a sauna! We can make adjustments as needed.
The Nursery
If you've created a nursery for your little one, I'd absolutely love to see it!
Even if baby isn't sleeping there yet, it can be such a meaningful part of documenting this stage.
We might capture you holding baby beside the cot, cuddling in a chair, or a few of the lovely little details you've chosen for the room.
And if it's not finished yet, please don't worry. That doesn't matter in the slightest.
What to Bring or Have Ready
You don't need to purchase anything special for your newborn session, but having a few essentials nearby can make things a little easier.
If You're Coming Into the Studio
I'd recommend packing:
Extra nappies and wipes.
Feeding supplies, bottles or extra milk if applicable.
A dummy, if baby uses one and you're comfortable bringing it.
A burp cloth or muslin.
A spare outfit for baby.
A spare top for each parent, just in case of spills.
Any medication or personal items your baby may need.
A favourite quiet toy, comfort item or activity for older siblings.
A snack and drink for older children.
I also keep a small selection of basic newborn supplies in the studio, so please don't panic if you forget something!
If We're Photographing at Home
There's no need to pack a bag.
Simply have your usual feeding and changing essentials somewhere handy, along with anything special you'd like included in the photographs.
Special & Sentimental Items
You're very welcome to include one or two meaningful items in your session.
Perhaps a family heirloom blanket, a handmade cardigan, a special gift, something passed down through your family, or an item connected to someone you love.
I particularly love incorporating things that hold personal meaning.
Simple pieces generally photograph best and allow your baby to remain the focus.
Just show me anything you've brought or set aside, and we'll work out how to incorporate it naturally into your session.
Including Parents, Siblings & Pets
While your newest little arrival might be the reason we're getting together, I love capturing the people who love them too.
Parents and siblings are always welcome to be involved in your newborn session, and I really encourage it.
For Mum & Dad
I know that having your own photographs taken might be the last thing on your mind after welcoming a new baby.
But I promise, these are photographs you'll be so grateful to have one day.
You don't need to know how to pose, what to do with your hands or where to look. I'll guide you throughout the session.
Most of the time, it's simply about holding your baby close, cuddling together and enjoying those little moments.
For Older Siblings
Please don't worry about your older children needing to sit still, smile perfectly or behave a certain way.
I keep family photographs relaxed, playful and appropriate for their age.
We might encourage them to cuddle up beside you, interact naturally with baby, or simply spend a little time together.
Bringing a favourite quiet activity, comfort item or snack can be really helpful for those moments when they're not being photographed.
If we're in the studio, it can also work beautifully for one parent to take older siblings for a little walk or break once their photographs are finished.
At home, they can wander off to play or have a snack whenever they need to.
We'll work around whatever feels best for your family.
And Your Pets?
Your pets are part of your family too!
If we're photographing at home, they're very welcome to be involved where it's safe and practical.
Just let me know beforehand if you'd particularly love some photographs with your pet so I can plan for it.
We'll always prioritise baby's safety and your pet's comfort.
What to Expect During Your Session
There's no set order that every newborn session needs to follow.
Some babies arrive sleepy and settled, while others are wide awake and ready to take in the world.
We might begin with individual photographs while baby is sleeping, or start with family cuddles and allow them to drift off naturally in your arms.
If we're including some gently posed photographs, we'll usually aim to capture those when baby is comfortable and settled.
We can then move into the more relaxed family photographs, capturing those lovely connections between you all.
But if baby needs feeding, changing or another cuddle halfway through, we'll simply take a break.
I'll guide you through everything, including where to sit, how to hold baby and those little adjustments that help create beautiful photographs.
We can also capture individual photographs of baby in a simple outfit, wrap or blanket, along with all those gorgeous tiny details.
And remember, awake photographs can be just as beautiful as sleepy ones!
Newborn Safety
Your baby's safety and comfort will always come before creating a photograph.
I'll never force baby into a position they're resisting, and some photographs may be adjusted or skipped depending on their age, development, comfort or individual needs.
Where appropriate, I may help with settling or gentle positioning, but I'll always explain what I'm doing and make sure you're comfortable.
Your baby will always be safely supported.
Please feel free to speak up at any point if there's something you do or don't want photographed.
This is your baby and your experience, and I want you to feel completely comfortable throughout.
If Someone Is Unwell
Newborns are particularly vulnerable to illness, so please let me know before your session if baby or anyone attending has a fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, a contagious illness, or significant cold or flu symptoms.
It's always better for us to discuss postponing than to push through when someone isn't feeling well.
And please don't worry about all those normal little newborn things, like baby acne, flaky skin, scratches, redness or milk spots.
These are all completely expected, and there's absolutely no need to hide them.
Your baby is beautiful exactly as they are.
Once Baby Arrives
Once your little one is here, just flick me an email to let me know!
We'll have a chat about how you're both doing, confirm the type of session and location you'd prefer, and arrange a photography date that works for your family.
When Is the Best Time for Newborn Photographs?
If you're hoping for those lovely sleepy newborn photographs, the first 7 to 14 days are often a wonderful time.
Babies are generally sleepier during those early days, which can make gentle posed photographs a little easier.
However, there's absolutely no strict age limit for lifestyle newborn photography.
If you'd prefer more time to recover, settle into life with your little one, or simply find your feet as a family, that's completely okay.
There is no pressure to rush into a session before you're ready.
I often find mornings work beautifully for newborn sessions, but we can discuss a time that suits your family's needs.
If You're Coming Into the Studio
You'll find me at 40C Clyde Street, Balclutha.
Please aim to arrive around five minutes early so you've got time to get out of the car, gather your belongings and settle in without feeling rushed.
Getting out of the house with a newborn can be an adventure in itself, so give yourselves a little more time than you think you'll need.
And if you're running late, please drive safely and let me know when it's safe to do so. There's no need to feel stressed.
If I'm Coming to Your Home
I'll arrive at our agreed time, have a look at the available light and spaces, and we'll make a plan from there.
If baby's feeding when I arrive, please just continue!
And if there's washing on the couch, someone is still getting dressed, or your toddler is eating toast on the floor, that's absolutely fine too.
We'll work around real family life, just as it is.
A Few Final Things
If there's one thing I'd love you to remember, it's that you don't need to have everything perfectly organised.
Your baby doesn't need to sleep the entire time.
Your older children don't need to sit perfectly still.
Your home doesn't need to be spotless.
And you certainly don't need to look or feel any particular way after having a baby.
You've just welcomed a whole new person into your family, and that's a pretty incredible thing.
My job is to work around the little moments that come with newborn life, not expect you to avoid them.
These photographs aren't only about how your family looks right now.
They're about preserving the love, tenderness and connection surrounding your baby, and holding onto a little piece of these early days before they become a distant memory.
So come ready to slow down, cuddle your little one and spend some time together.
I'll take care of the rest.
Need a Little Help?
f you're feeling unsure about outfits, wondering what to bring, or have any questions about your upcoming session, please don't hesitate to get in touch!
You're always welcome to send me photographs of outfits, ideas, sentimental items or even pictures of your home if you'd like a little guidance beforehand.
I'm more than happy to help.
I want this to feel like a genuinely lovely experience from beginning to end, and I can't wait to capture this special chapter for your family.
Mikayla x
