Not too long ago, I received an email from an expecting mother who asked exactly how many different set-ups I achieve during a newborn session. It made me realize that I’ve never explained my approach to newborn photography on the blog, so today I’m going to do just that!

What is Custom Newborn Photography?

My custom newborn photography session is all about the experience and choices that I give my clients. Throughout my years as a newborn photographer, I have come to realize that I love to offer a highly personalized experience for our clients. I love to get to know you, talk to you about your vision for your session, and work with you to achieve the images you imagine for your newborn baby. By offering custom newborn photography, I commit to offering an experience where you’ll play an active role in the planning of your session while allowing me to create a beautiful set of images that is representative of my style of newborn photography.

How do I describe my style of newborn photography?

I specialize in creating simple, timeless, and genuine newborn portraits in a way that is natural and relaxed. I believe that your baby should be the focus of your images and strive to document them in a combination of neutral tones and soft colors. My goal for every session is to create images that will stand the test of time, and that won’t look outdated in just a few months or even a few years. This means that along with adorable handmade hats and headbands, the only props I use are crates, baskets, and buckets. The wraps I use during a session will be in soft colors and neutral tones, and the blankets I choose for your backdrops will be hand-selected to match the overall look of your session. If you have a special item you’d like incorporated into your session, I will be happy to include it, but there is no need to purchase additional items thanks to my complete stock of newborn accessories.

How do we prepare for a Custom Newborn Photography Session?

Once you book your session, the first thing I’ll do is ask you to complete a questionnaire. This will help me begin to envision the images you are looking to achieve in terms of who will be in the photos (mom, dad, and/or siblings), the color palette you’d like me to use, and the types of set-ups and poses we’ll be able to achieve. Once you’ve completed my questionnaire, we’ll schedule a pre-session consultation to create a customized session made just for you. Your consultation can be done over the phone or via Skype. At this time, we will discuss the goals of your session, confirm the color palette, and choose the types of props you’d like to see in your images. The information we discuss during your pre-session consultation will allow me to customize your blankets and accessories to ensure a session that is tailored to you. I truly believe that session planning is a collaborative process and my goal is to create an experience where you’ll be a part of the styling of your session so that your images are cohesive and fit well with the colors in your home. For a peek into my favorite poses, please click here: Newborn Poses.

Where and when does the session take place?

Newborn sessions take place in our home studio in Howell, NJ, where you will have access to my complete set of newborn props and accessories. The session takes place within the first 14 days of birth to ensure that your baby will be in that adorable curly stage that we love so much. For this reason, it is important to book your session at least 2-3 months before your due date in order to reserve a spot during the recommended timeframe. Once your baby is born, you will let me know via email or text and we’ll set the date and time of your session.

What will your session look like?

To the mothers wondering how many set-ups we’ll achieve during your session: it will depend on which session you book, whether or not the baby’s parents will be in the photos, if the baby has siblings, and which images or set-ups we choose to prioritize after your pre-session consultation. Every session is unique and will include the color palette you’ve selected in the poses and style that you see in my portfolio. Together, I’m confident that we’ll create a beautiful collection of images! Here are some sample highlights from recent sessions:

Luca’s Newborn Session: A neutral color palette with a pop of blue

Eva’s Newborn Session: Cream, white, and pink

Olivier’s Newborn Session: Cream, taupe, and shades of blue

Cordelia’s Newborn Session: Grays and shades of purple and lavender

Logan’s newborn session: Grays, creams, and turquoise

Aubrey’s Newborn Session: Peaches and cream

Peter’s Newborn Session: Neutrals with a pop of soft blue

Erin’s Newborn Session: Creams and pastels

Carter’s Newborn Session: Creams, grays, and blues

Emilia’s Newborn Session: All creams

Emma’s Newborn Session: A soft purple, pink, and cream color palette

Caleb’s Newborn Session: Shades of gray and a bit of soft blue

And there you have it! I hope this information was helpful to you for the planning of your newborn session. I’m so excited to work with you and meet your new little bundle of joy! If you haven’t booked a newborn session yet, I’d love to capture this amazing time in your lives.  Please contact us for more information.