How To Prepare For Your Newborn Photoshoot in Wokingham
How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photoshoot in Wokingham
Preparing for your newborn photoshoot can feel overwhelming especially in those early, sleep-blurred days. As a newborn photographer in Wokingham, I’ve guided hundreds of parents through relaxed, baby-led sessions designed to feel calm, unrushed, and reassuring. This guide will walk you through exactly how to prepare for your newborn photoshoot, from timing and outfits to what to expect on the day, so you can arrive feeling confident and enjoy the experience.
When Is the Best Time for a Newborn Photoshoot?
The best time for a newborn photoshoot is usually within the first 7–14 days after your baby arrives, when they are still sleepy and naturally curled. I typically recommend booking your session for around 10 days old, but this is always flexible and led by your baby. Newborn sessions are usually scheduled in the morning, as this tends to work best for little ones, and I allow 1–2 hours so there’s plenty of time for feeding, changing, and settling without ever feeling rushed. If your baby arrives early, late, or needs extra time before their photoshoot, we’ll always adjust the session to suit you.
How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photoshoot
For the best success it helps if we can get baby into a nice deep sleep at the beginning of their session. There are a few things we can do to help with this…
Keeping baby awake
Try to keep your baby awake for 1-2 hours before the session.. A great way to do this is by giving them a bath (avoiding the cord if still attached). Not only does it stimulate them, helping to keep them awake, but it also means that they’re cute and fluffy for their moment in the spotlight. If they have hair then do give it a little wash, I absolutely adore fluffy haired babies! Don’t worry about using shampoo, simply wetting it will give it a nice little fluff up.
Feeding
I usually ask for baby to be fed either just before you leave home or once you arrive at the studio for your session. Newborn babies often go through a growth spurt around 2 weeks after birth so they may be cluster feeding at the time of your photoshoot. Please don’t worry about this, we will have plenty of time, just make sure you bring plenty of provisions with you to accommodate their sudden increase in appetite.
Wind
Trapped wind can make the biggest difference between a happy baby and an uncomfortable one. After feeding we will need to make sure that they have brought up as much wind as they can. If burping is something that they struggle with and you are happy using Infacol then do please bring some with you.
A note for breastfeeding Mamas; please avoid any leafy greens (kale, broccoli, cabbage etc) or anything spicy or acidic for 48 hours before your session. These foods can sometimes cause babies to suffer with tummy ache or to struggle to bring up their wind, so anything to help avoid this would really help me out! Caffeine and alcohol can also affect how baby settles, so if these can be avoided before your studio session too that would be great (sorry for being such a party pooper!)
What to Bring to Your Newborn Photoshoot
Spare nappies, wipes, nappy bags.
Spare clothes.
Spare milk, bottles etc if bottle feeding.
Dummy/comforter if you use one.
Spare sanitary products. After giving birth it’s normal for new Mums to bleed for up to 6 weeks. Toilet facilities are available for you to use
What Should Parents and Babies Wear?
Baby: If you have a plain white/cream vest or baby grow then do please bring it with you to put on baby once they’ve been fed/burped/changed and are ready for their photos. Spare clothes for baby is also advised in case of any messy incidents! I do have a selection of white vests available to use if you don’t have anything suitable, so please don’t worry :)
Parents/Siblings: It would be great if you could also wear something white/cream/neutral yourself, even just on the top half, to compliment baby when we do parent/family shots.
What to Expect During a Newborn Photoshoot
My newborn photography sessions are totally baby-led, meaning plenty of time is given for feeding, changing and cuddle breaks. I’ll capture you all together as well as baby on their own, in a very relaxed, flexible way. If baby is settled when you arrive we might start with portraits on my posing beanbag of them on their own. If more cuddles are needed we might start with parent/family portraits to help baby settle. Every session is tailored around you and your baby to make sure every is happy and comfortable throughout.
How Long Does a Newborn Photoshoot Take?
I allow 1-2 hours for every newborn session to make time for feeding, changing & cuddle breaks and avoid anyone feeling rushed. Typically they last around 60-90 minutes.
Is This Newborn Photoshoot Guide Relevant for Parents in Wokingham?
Absolutely. This guide is written specifically for families in Wokingham and the surrounding areas, including Bracknell, Winnersh and Earley. My newborn sessions take place in a calm, welcoming local studio and are designed to feel relaxed and baby-led, with plenty of time for feeding, changing and settling. If you’re looking for a newborn photographer nearby who understands the pace of those early days, this guide reflects exactly how I work with new parents in the Wokingham area.
Additional Information
Extra guests
The studio is cosy and comfortable, but there isn’t really room for any additional, unexpected guests. Please avoid bringing any additional relatives or friends with you without letting me know beforehand as it can have quite an impact on the session and resulting photos.
Parking
Free parking is available behind the studio. Look out for the drive between the motorbike garage and dentist, leading to plenty of parking spaces in the carpark at the rear of the building.
Studio Address
1A Bulldog House, Reading Road, Winnersh, RG41 5AB. Located above the Triumph Garage, you’ll find the entrance at the side of the building. I share the upstairs space with Berkshire Counselling Services. There is a small flight of stairs that leads up to the studio. Do let me know if you’re attending on your own and would like any help getting up the stairs.
Toilets
There are toilets available on the same floor as the studio, just a few doors down.
Behind the scenes
If you would like to document your studio experience please feel free to take behind the scenes photos/videos on your phone. If sharing on social media please do tag me @authenticbabyphotography as I’d love to see how you found your session. Just please be mindful not to get in front of my camera or to move anything in the studio. The last thing we want is to disturb your sleepy baby after spending time settling them!
Final Note
My biggest piece of advice is to relax. I’ve been doing this for nine years now and am often referred to as the baby whisperer by Parents as I am an expert in getting babies to settle. They don’t have to be asleep for their photos, so please don’t panic or worry about whether they will catch some zzzzz’s or not. I’ve only ever had to admit defeat once, when the poor baby just couldn’t bring his wind up and was so uncomfortable. We simply re-arranged for a couple of days later and it was a total breeze.
So please don’t fret, we will get the photos. I want you all to enjoy your session so try to make it as relaxed and comfortable for you all as I can. My studio is a drama-free zone. Zero stress. We will take it at babies pace so that you don’t feel rushed. Think of it as going to a friends for coffee rather than a typical studio photoshoot, it really will be that relaxed (I’ve even had Parent’s fall asleep whilst I’ve been photographing baby!)
Looking for a Newborn Photographer in Wokingham?
If you’re expecting a baby and looking for a newborn photographer in Wokingham, I’d love to help you plan a relaxed, baby-led photoshoot that feels calm and unrushed. You can find out more about my newborn sessions here, or get in touch if you’d like to ask any questions — I’m always happy to guide you through the process.
