What to bring to a newborn session

The number one thing you need to bring to a newborn session?

Your baby.

I know, haha, very funny. But I’m serious. If you, for real, just got out of bed, tucked your baby safely into their car seat, grabbed coffees at a drive-through, and headed to my studio and turned up in pajamas…

I’d be willing to bet I could still create this for you.

Okay, okay, you’d have to throw your make-up bag into the car too.

But I do have a hair dryer and a shower at the studio! I mean, it’s rarely used, but you COULD!

I really want this to be easy for you. I mean, for goodness sake, you just gave birth, and now I want you to not only leave the house but be picture-ready? I know, it’s a lot. But I can tell you, those who complete a newborn session never, ever regret it. It’s probably the hardest session to muster the energy and gumption for, but also the most rewarding.

Your wedding was epically photographed; welcoming a baby into your family is, I’d argue, an even bigger deal than that should also be epically photographed with professional newborn photos.

What to bring to a newborn session

So you had your baby, you emailed to let me know they arrived, we chose a date and time for the session and now the question is: what to bring to a newborn session? What do you pack? To make it as easy as possible, I have everything you will need for a successful newborn session at my studio: 

You really don’t need to bring much. If you are able to get your hair and makeup done before leaving and remember to bring your clothes, you are majorly winning. If you have a special item that you’d like baby photographed with or in, by all means, bring that too. Those really are your top priorities for what to bring to your newborn photo shoot: getting yourself ready, your clothes, and any special or heirloom items.

Special or heirloom items parents have brought in the past include stuffed animals gifted from a grandparent, an outfit that mom or dad wore as a baby, a blanket that a family member knit, an ultrasound photo of a sibling who passed, a grandfather’s police officer badge, etc.

You may want to consider bringing your breast pump if you are using one because the newborn session is on the longer side, lasting about 2 hours, sometimes 3.

Lastly, a change of clothes. Accidents do happen! Having a backup outfit for photos plus something comfortable to wear on the ride home is a good idea. It’s rarely used, but you’ll be thankful to have the extra change of clothes if you know what happens. 💩

Your baby is perfect as they are, and so that is how I will photograph them. We don’t rely on props and outfits to make them cute. They are absolutely adorable already. I have everything we need to make their first photoshoot perfect.

If you are in the Salem to Portland, Oregon area and are thinking about booking a newborn session, please be in touch! You can fill out this quick contact form, and I’ll email you more information and pricing. Even if you’ve just had your baby, it might not be too late to grab a last-minute opening. Your baby will be so grateful to have these adoring photos when they are grown!