Newborn and Family Photography: What to Expect During Your Session
If you’re thinking about booking newborn and family photography, you might be wondering what actually happens during the session.
Will your baby sleep the whole time? What if they cry? What if your toddler refuses to cooperate? Do you need to know how to pose? And how long will the whole thing take?
The good news is that you don't need to have everything figured out before you arrive.
Newborn and family photography sessions with Bunch Photography are relaxed, baby-led and focused on capturing your family as you are. My priority is always making sure you and your little ones feel safe, comfortable and supported while creating beautiful memories you'll look back on for years.
What is Newborn photography?
Newborn photography is about more than just photographs of your new baby.
It's about capturing your family during a really special, and very short, part of your family’s story.
Your newborn session includes photographs of your baby on their own, as well as photos with parents and siblings. These little interactions often become some of the most meaningful images from your gallery.
I offer newborn photography in Melbourne’s western suburbs, with sessions available in my Melton based studio or in the comfort of your own home.
When should you have your newborn photos taken?
I generally recommend booking your newborn session for when your baby is around 5–21 days old.
This is often when babies are still very sleepy and naturally curl into those beautiful newborn positions.
That said, there is absolutely no rule that your baby needs to be photographed within those first few weeks. I photograph babies up to around 6 weeks old, and all babies are different, regardless of their age.
If your baby is a little older, they may simply be more alert and interested in the world around them, and that's okay, we might even get some smiling shots as they get a bit older!
There are no expectations for your baby
This is probably the most important thing I want parents to know before their newborn photography session:
Your baby doesn't have to do anything perfectly.
They don't have to sleep the whole time.
They don't have to stay settled.
They don't have to cooperate for every photograph.
And they certainly don't have to stop being a newborn!
Babies need changing, they cry, feed, wriggle, need cuddles and sometimes just don't want to sleep. That's completely normal.
I don't expect you to arrive with a perfectly sleeping baby, and I don't expect you to somehow make your baby behave for photographs.
We simply work with your baby on the day.
If they need a feed, we stop for a feed. If they need a cuddle, we have a cuddle. If they need some time to settle, we take that time.
There is no need to rush.
What if my toddler doesn't cooperate?
If you have older children, you may be more worried about this than anything else (I definitely was with my children)!
Toddlers are toddlers.
They might be excited to meet their new sibling. They might be completely uninterested. They might want to run around the studio. They might give you one beautiful photograph and then decide they're finished.
I don't expect young children to sit perfectly still and smile on command.
My background in teaching has given me lots of experience working with children of different ages, personalities and needs. I'm happy to follow their lead, give them space and find ways to make photographs feel fun rather than turning the session into something they have to perform for.
Some of my favourite family photographs aren't the perfectly posed ones. They're the moments where everyone is interacting naturally.
Parents are included too
One of the things I love most about newborn family photography is that the whole family is included.
It's very easy for parents to spend the first few weeks taking photographs of everyone else and realise later that they barely have any photos with their new baby.
Your newborn session includes photographs with parents and siblings, as well as of your newborn on their own.
These photos don't need to be complicated.
Sometimes it's simply holding your baby close, looking at them, giving them a cuddle or soaking up one of those quiet newborn moments.
You don't need to know how to pose.
I'll guide you when you need it, while also allowing plenty of natural interaction.
How long does a newborn photography session take?
I don't work to a strict set timeframe for newborn sessions.
Most sessions take around two hours, but I don't want you watching the clock and worrying that your baby is taking too long.
If your baby needs to feed, we feed them.
If they need a break, we take a break.
If your toddler needs some time away from the camera, that's completely fine.
The goal is to create a relaxed experience rather than trying to squeeze everything into a certain number of minutes.
Safety is always my priority
When you're trusting someone to photograph your newborn, it's completely understandable that safety is one of your biggest concerns.
My safety training and teaching background are an important part of the way I approach newborn photography.
Your baby's comfort and safety always come first. I take the time to handle your baby carefully, pay attention to their cues and never want a photograph to come at the expense of their wellbeing.
I also understand that every child is different. Some babies settle quickly, while others need more time and reassurance.
What should you bring to your newborn session?
You don't need to bring a huge bag of things with you.
Your baby's usual essentials are the most important:
Nappies
Wipes
Formula or breastfeeding supplies, if needed
A dummy if your baby uses one
A change of clothes for baby for the car (I will supply clothing for the photoshoot)
Anything your older children may need during the session
Why newborn photography means so much to me
I didn't truly understand the value of newborn photography until I had my own children. Now, having newborn photographs of all of them, I'm so grateful I have photos of those tiny details that changed so quickly and I look back at these photos often.
Newborn family photography in Melbourne and Melbourne's West
If you're expecting a baby and would love to chat about your newborn family photography session, get in touch with Bunch Photography to find out more or enquire about your session.
