A Complete Guide for New Parents

If you're pregnant and starting to think about newborn photos, you might be wondering when you actually need to book a newborn photographer.

Do you need to organise it while you're pregnant? How old should your baby be for newborn photos? What happens if your baby arrives early or late? And what if you've already had your baby and only just started thinking about having photographs taken?

The good news is, there really isn't a need to stress about getting your newborn photography booked by a particular week of pregnancy.

If you already know you'd love to have newborn photos, booking while you're pregnant can make things one less thing to think about once your baby arrives. But many of my clients actually contact me after their baby is born, and if I have availability, I'm always happy to see if I can fit them in.

So let's take the pressure out of it and talk about what you actually need to know before booking your newborn photography session.

When should you book a newborn photographer?

If you know you'd like newborn photos, you can absolutely start looking for a Melbourne newborn photographer while you're pregnant.

Booking ahead means you've got one less thing to think about once your baby arrives, but there is no need to panic if you haven't organised your newborn photography before the birth.

Many of my clients contact me after their baby has arrived. Sometimes newborn photography simply wasn't something they had time to think about during pregnancy, and sometimes they wanted to see how they were feeling once they were home with their new baby. Either way, if I have availability, we'll work out a date that suits you.

For the actual photography session, I generally love photographing babies under two weeks old. During those early days, babies tend to be sleepier and naturally curl up into those beautiful newborn positions.

But this isn't a strict cut-off.

Every baby is different, and I've photographed plenty of babies beyond those first couple of weeks. As babies get older, they can become more alert and less likely to stay curled up and asleep for long periods, but that can also give us gorgeous awake photographs, little expressions and beautiful moments of interaction with Mum and Dad.

If you're booking while you're pregnant, you also don't need to know exactly when your baby will arrive. Your due date gives us a general idea, and once your little one is here, we can organise the actual session date.

The most important thing is not to put unnecessary pressure on yourself. If you'd love to have these photographs, just ask.

What happens during a newborn photography session?

One of the biggest things I hear from new parents is that they aren't quite sure what to expect.

And honestly, I think that's completely understandable.

You've just had a baby, you're probably exhausted, and the thought of packing everyone up, leaving the house and arriving somewhere you've never been before can feel like another thing on an already very long list.

My newborn sessions are designed to be relaxed and unhurried.

My Melbourne newborn photography studio is in Vermont, and your session is generally around 90 minutes. There is plenty of time for feeding, cuddling, changing and settling your baby when they need it. We don't need to rush through a list of poses just because the clock says we should be moving on.

I'll guide you through everything, including how to hold your baby and where to sit or stand for family photographs. You don't need to know how to pose and you definitely don't need to arrive knowing what you're supposed to do.

My job is to take care of that part.

And because newborn sessions are about more than just photographs of your baby, I also love capturing the connection between you, your partner and your new little person.

What if my baby won't sleep during their newborn photos?

This is one of the biggest worries parents have before their session.

"What if my baby doesn't sleep?"

Please don't stress.

Your baby doesn't have to sleep for the entire session for us to create beautiful photographs.

Some babies sleep soundly through their entire session. Others wake up, need a feed, have a look around, need a cuddle and eventually drift back off. Some babies are simply more alert than others.

That's completely normal.

I've been photographing newborn babies for more than 15 years, so I'm very used to working around the baby rather than expecting the baby to work around me.

We can pause for a feed, a nappy change or a cuddle whenever we need to. Sometimes those unscripted moments end up being some of the most beautiful photographs in the gallery.

And if your baby spends half the session looking straight at me with those big newborn eyes, that's okay too.

We're photographing your baby, not trying to make them behave like a photograph we've seen on Pinterest.

Can parents and siblings be included in newborn photos?

Absolutely.

While your new baby is obviously the star of the session, I think some of the most meaningful newborn photographs are the ones that show your family together.

We can capture photographs of you with your baby, your partner with your baby and, if you have older children, photographs of siblings together too.

Older siblings don't need to sit perfectly still or pose for a photograph. In fact, I'd much rather capture genuine interaction and connection than try to make a young child behave like a tiny adult model.

If you have a toddler who is more interested in exploring the studio than sitting still, we'll work with that.

The goal is to capture what this stage of your family actually feels like.

What should you wear for newborn family photos?

You don't need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe for your newborn photography session.

I generally recommend keeping clothing simple, comfortable and neutral so the focus stays on the people in the photographs.

Soft, understated colours and textures tend to photograph beautifully, and coordinating doesn't mean everyone needs to wear matching outfits.

If you're feeling completely stuck, don't worry. I'm happy to help you work out what will photograph well together.

I also have a collection of clothing available in the studio for little girls, along with my maternity wardrobe for maternity sessions, so there are options if you need a little help.

What should you bring to a newborn photography session?

Honestly, not as much as you might think.

Your baby, plenty of nappies, anything you normally use for feeding and settling them, and a change of clothes for yourself is a good starting point.

You don't need to bring a suitcase full of props or blankets. I have what we need in the studio, and I'll let you know if there is anything specific I'd like you to bring.

Most importantly, don't worry about arriving with a perfectly settled baby.

Newborn photography sessions are designed around the fact that babies need to be fed, changed, cuddled and settled.

That's all part of the experience.

How much does newborn photography cost in Melbourne?

Newborn photography pricing can vary quite a lot between photographers, so it's important to look beyond the session fee and understand exactly what is included.

At Allure Photography, the newborn session fee is $200, which includes the photography session and one digital image.

There is no minimum spend beyond the session fee. If you decide you'd like more photographs from your gallery, you can choose the images and products that are right for your family.

I think transparency around pricing is important, particularly when you're already making a lot of decisions as a new parent.

You shouldn't have to book a photographer without understanding how their pricing works.

How do you choose the right newborn photographer?

There are so many beautiful newborn photographers in Melbourne, so choosing one can feel a little overwhelming.

I'd suggest looking beyond just the photographs themselves and considering the entire experience.

Look at their experience. Newborn babies are unpredictable, and having someone who is comfortable working with babies can make a huge difference to how relaxed you feel.

Look at their style. Do you love the way their photographs look, or are you simply choosing them because they're nearby?

Ask about what's included. Find out what the session fee covers, how photographs are purchased and whether there are minimum spends or package requirements.

Think about the experience you want. Do you want a studio session or someone who comes to your home? Do you want lots of posed newborn photographs, natural family photographs, or a combination?

Ask about turnaround times. If you want to see your photographs quickly, make sure you understand when you'll actually receive them.

And perhaps most importantly, choose someone you feel comfortable with.

You're handing over your brand-new baby to someone you've never met before. You should feel confident that they'll treat both your baby and your family with care.

What is a newborn photography session at Allure Photography like?

After more than 15 years of photographing newborns, I've learnt that the best sessions aren't the ones where everything goes perfectly.

They're the ones where parents can relax.

My Vermont studio is set up to make newborn sessions as easy as possible, with everything we need close by. There's somewhere to feed and change your baby, toys and books for older siblings, and plenty of time built into the session so we don't have to rush.

I also offer same-day viewing and digital delivery, which NO other Melbourne photographery studio offers and which means you don't have to wait weeks wondering what your photographs look like.

At the end of your session, you'll be able to sit down, relax and look through your photographs while they're still fresh in your mind.

Because I know that when you've just had a baby, you don't necessarily want another job added to your list.

You want someone to take beautiful photographs, make the experience easy and give you something you'll be incredibly grateful to have years from now.

Newborn Photography Melbourne FAQs

What is the best age for newborn photography?

I generally prefer photographing newborns under two weeks old because babies tend to be sleepier and more naturally curled up during those early days. However, there is no strict cut-off, and older newborns can still have beautiful photographs taken.

Is it too late to book newborn photography after my baby is born?

Not at all! Many parents contact me after their baby has arrived. If I have availability, I'll always do my best to find a suitable session date.

Do I need to book my newborn photographer while pregnant?

No. Booking during pregnancy can be helpful if you already know you'd like newborn photographs, but you don't need to have everything organised before your baby arrives.

What if my baby doesn't sleep during the session?

That's completely fine. Newborn sessions are flexible and allow plenty of time for feeding, cuddling and settling. Awake photographs can also be beautiful and often capture your baby's personality.

Can siblings be included in newborn photography?

Yes. Parents and siblings are very welcome to be included and there is NO additional fee to include them! Family photographs are an important part of my newborn sessions because your baby's photographs are also the beginning of your family's story together.

Where is Allure Photography located?

Allure Photography is a newborn, maternity, family and headshot photography studio located in Vermont, Melbourne, servicing families throughout Melbourne's eastern suburbs and is close to Mitcham, Nunawading,  Blackburn,  Burwood and Bayswater.

Is newborn photography worth it?

For many families, newborn photographs become some of their most treasured family photographs because this stage is so incredibly short. Babies change quickly, and photographs give you something tangible to look back on when those tiny details are no longer quite so fresh in your memory.

Ready to capture those first days?

If you're pregnant and thinking about newborn photography, you're welcome to get in touch and have a chat about what you're looking for.

And if your baby is already here, it's not too late to ask.

We'll work around your baby, your family and what's realistic for you at this stage.

You don't need to have everything figured out. You just need to decide that you'd like to remember it.

Enquire below and Ill be in contact to start planning your dream newborn photoshoot!

Stace x