Newborn photographer North East | Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for a newborn photographer in the North East and wondering how a natural newborn photoshoot actually works? You’re in the right place!

What happens during a newborn photoshoot at home? What do we actually need to do?

This is the question I'm asked most often! If you’ve never had a natural newborn photoshoot at home before, it can be hard to imagine what you’ll actually be doing during the session.

The aim of these sessions is to capture a slice of your newborn life — what it looked like and how it felt. We’ll capture a mix of images, some directed and others completely unplanned, when you’re doing things like feeding, changing or settling your baby. I’ll guide you through the session, while also giving you plenty of space to simply be with your baby.

We work at your baby's pace and we’ll move around your home, using the rooms that have lovely light, usually the lounge, bedroom and nursery if you have one. We’ll use your sofa, bed, windows and other little corners of your home as the backdrop.

We’ll take photographs of your baby on their own, you with your baby, your partner with the baby, any siblings with your baby, and everyone together. And in between those more directed photographs, I’ll photograph all the little things that naturally happen too.

Some people like more direction and others prefer to just go with things naturally. Both are absolutely fine. I’ll work out what suits you as we go, so you don’t need to think about what you’re supposed to be doing.

How old should my baby be?

I usually suggest a couple of weeks after your baby is born. By then, you’ve had a little time to get to know each other and find your rhythm, but your baby is still very much in those early newborn days — sleepy, tiny and with all those lovely newborn features.

There’s no exact age they need to be, though. If your baby is a little older, that’s absolutely fine too. Every baby is different, and I’ll work with whatever stage they’re at when we do your shoot.

And if your baby arrives early or late, don’t worry — we can simply adjust your session date to suit.

Do you pose babies or use props?

Not in the traditional sense. Your baby will be photographed in their crib, or in their cot, on your bed, perhaps on a blanket or alongside something that is special to you, but that's as far as it goes. I don't put babies in baskets, put them in curly poses or create elaborate set ups.

Instead I photograph your baby as they naturally are, sleeping, stretching, feeding, being held. I also photograph their fingers and toes, back creases, downy hair - all the little newborn features that will be gone before you know it.

I have a toddler too, how will it work with them?

Great question, as toddlers tend to have a much bigger say in how your session goes than your newborn! 😊

The aim isn’t to get your toddler to sit still, smile on cue or co-operate for photographs. Instead we let them be themselves and work with whatever they’re interested in on the day.

Sometimes they’ll want to be involved and sometimes they’ll disappear off to play. Both are fine. We’ll take photographs of them with their new baby, but I’ll also photograph the little moments in between — the playing, cuddling, investigating and generally getting on with being a toddler.

I’ve written a whole blog about toddler and newborn shoots HERE

What if we're really awkward in front of the camera?

I won't be asking you to stand in a particular way, smile at the camera or perform.

Instead, I'll give you little things to do that you'd naturally be doing with your baby anyway — holding them, cuddling them, feeding them, chatting to each other or simply sitting together.

I'll guide you when I need to, but most of the time I'm looking for the little moments that happen rather than trying to create them.

You don't need to be good at having your photograph taken. It's my job to help you feel comfortable and more natural in front of the camera.

Can our dog be in the pictures too?

Absolutely!

What if our house is small or doesn't get much natural light?

Your home doesn't need to be big, bright or particularly photogenic for us to get beautiful photographs.

I work with the space and light that's already there, rather than needing a certain type of house. Sometimes the best photographs happen in a small corner of a room, on the sofa or by a window. I'll look around when I arrive and work out where the best light is, so you don't need to worry about whether your home is suitable.

It's your home, exactly as it is — and that's part of what makes the photographs yours.

When should I book my session if I don't know when my baby will arrive?

I’d recommend booking as soon as you know you’d like a newborn session.

We can’t predict exactly when your baby will arrive, so when you book, we’ll simply choose an approximate date two weeks after your due date. Once your baby arrives, we can move the date if we need to.

Hopefully this has answered some of the questions you might have about having a natural newborn photoshoot at home.

In a nutshell, there’s no need to have a perfectly tidy house, a sleepy baby or any idea what you’re supposed to do. Your baby can be awake, your toddler can be unpredictable and your dog can join in too. That’s all part of your life at this point — and that’s exactly what I want to photograph.

If you like the idea of photographs that capture your family, your home and those first few weeks as they really were, you can find out more about my availability, and download a Newborn Guide, which includes packages and pricing HERE

Newborn photographer North East