How to Prepare for a Newborn Photography Session at Home in NYC
How to Prepare for a Newborn Photography Session at Home in NYC
Preparing for a newborn session with a new baby at home sounds like one more thing to do — and it doesn't need to be. Here's everything, simplified.
Before the Session
Adjust the room temperature
Newborns are most comfortable — and most cooperative — when they're warm. For a studio-style posing portion of the session, we'll ask you to raise the temperature in the room where we'll be working to about 74–76°F (23–24°C).
This sounds warmer than comfortable for adults, but it's what keeps babies deeply settled during posing. We often use a space heater locally near the posing setup as well.
Feed your baby right before we start posing
A fed, full baby is a sleepy baby. Feed your baby approximately 30 to 60 minutes before the session begins — not immediately before (they'll spit up during posing) but close enough that they're full and drowsy.
For the lifestyle portion of the session, feeding during is completely fine and often produces some of the most beautiful images.
Prepare your space — but don't over-prepare
You don't need to deep clean your apartment. We're not photographing your apartment — we're photographing your family in it.
A few practical things:
Clear a space in a living room, bedroom, or nursery where we can set up the posing area — roughly 6x6 feet
Open your blinds or curtains in the rooms with the best natural light — we'll assess this when we arrive
Have the nursery ready if you want to photograph it — the bassinet, the changing table, the details you've set up
Clear personal items you don't want in the background of lifestyle images (bills on the table, etc.) — but this is optional, not required
Prepare an outfit for yourself and your partner
For family portraits during the session, neutral tones photograph best — cream, white, soft grey, navy, sage. Avoid busy patterns.
Comfort matters more than anything. You are two weeks postpartum. Wear what you feel good in. Nobody expects you to look ready for a magazine cover — but you will, regardless.
Siblings and pets
Siblings: Plan for siblings to be present for part of the session — the family portrait portion and a sibling-with-baby segment. Then have a plan for them to be occupied (iPad, another adult to take them out briefly) during the extended posing portion when baby is the sole subject.
Pets: Pets in photos are wonderful. We photograph them when the moment is right. If your dog or cat will be disruptive during the posing setup, plan for someone to manage them in another room during that portion.
The Day Of — What to Expect
Arrival: We arrive and do a brief walk-through of your space — identifying the best light, confirming the posing area, getting a sense of the apartment. This takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Setup: We set up lighting and the posing area. Another 15 to 20 minutes. Your job during this time: feed the baby.
Baby portraits (studio portion): We'll start posing baby when they're settled and sleepy. This portion is slow and patient — we never rush a newborn. If baby needs to feed or be comforted mid-session, we stop. Always.
Family portraits: You and your partner join. Close, natural poses — this is not a formal portrait session. We'll direct you gently.
Lifestyle portion: Equipment goes aside and we follow your real morning or afternoon. This is the portion that requires the least from you — just be in your home the way you normally are.
Details: We end with close-up images of the small things — hands, feet, the bassinet, the objects that tell the story of these first days.
What to Have Ready
A short checklist:
Room temperature raised to 74–76°F in the posing room
Baby fed 30–60 minutes before start time
A cleared space (6x6 ft) for the posing setup
Outfits for yourself and partner (neutral tones)
Extra feeding supplies accessible
Any specific items you want photographed (hospital bracelet, first outfit, cards)
What You Don't Need to Provide
We bring everything for the baby:
Wrapping fabrics and blankets
Posing props and accessories
Headbands and hats
Bowls, baskets, and other posing elements
All lighting and technical equipment
You do not need to purchase or prepare anything for the baby's look during the session.
A Note About Expectations
Newborn sessions are not like photographing adults. They run on the baby's schedule, not ours.
Sessions routinely pause for feeding, comforting, and settling. This is normal and expected. Our job is to work patiently with whatever the baby gives us — not to force images that require a baby who is cooperating.
Most families are surprised by how relaxed the session feels. You are in your own home. Your baby dictates the pace. We follow.
Contact us to book your session →
Also see: When to book your newborn photographer in NYC →
About the Author
Olga Zinner is a documentary newborn photographer and certified birth doula based in New York City. Founder of YourCherish.
Published: March 2026