Pregnancy is one of the most exciting, emotional, vulnerable, and fleeting seasons of life, and if there’s one thing I know as a Boston maternity photographer, it’s that you’re going to want maternity and newborn photos so you can remember all of it. From the bump you’ve been growing to those very first tiny fingers and toes, these are the moments that go by in a blur and the ones you’ll want to look back on forever.

If you’re currently expecting and trying to figure out all the logistics of planning maternity and newborn photos, first of all… congratulations! Second, I want to reassure you that you’re in the exact right place. With all of the questions swirling around in your head, the planning process can feel overwhelming. But I promise, it doesn’t have to be!

As a Boston maternity photographer, I’ve had the absolute joy and honor of walking so many families through this exact process, and I’m here to make it as smooth and stress-free as possible. In this guide, I’m sharing all of my favorite tips and tricks for planning your maternity and newborn photos. By the end, I guarantee you’ll feel more confident and prepared, so let’s hop right in!

 

Why You Should Plan Maternity and Newborn Photos

Here’s the thing about pregnancy and those first few weeks with a newborn…they go so fast. 

I know what you’re thinking: Yeah, right, Lauren. I feel like I’ve been pregnant for years.

But trust me! One day, you’re watching your bump grow and feeling those first little butterfly kicks, and before you know it, your “baby” is in 4th grade. I hear it from my clients all the time: I can’t believe how quickly it went by.

That’s exactly why I believe so strongly in documenting both of these seasons. Maternity and newborn photos aren’t just pretty pictures. They’re a record of a time in your life. Photos are the way you’ll remember exactly how it felt to be growing a person, to hold your brand new baby for the first time, and to become a family in a whole new way.

Whether this is your first baby or your third, these moments are worth celebrating and preserving. Your body did something incredible and your family grew. That deserves to be documented!

When is The Best Time to Schedule Maternity and Newborn Photos in Boston

When it comes to maternity photos, the sweet spot is right around 7-8 months or between 28 and 34 weeks. Your bump will be the perfect size for photos, you’re usually out of the morning sickness era, and we’re not cutting it too close to your due date that you feel like your water could break at any moment. If you need more details about when to plan your maternity photos, take a look at this deeper dive!

As for newborn photos, I recommend scheduling anywhere from 48 hours after you get home from the hospital up to about a month old. The sweet spot is definitely around 7-10 days when your baby is the sleepiest. Those early days are so fleeting and the sooner we can capture them, the better. That said, every mother’s recovery and adjustment looks different, so we’ll always tailor the time so you can feel your most comfortable and confident.

My biggest piece of advice? Book earlier rather than later. I typically book out 2-3 months in advance, so reaching out toward the end of your first trimester is a great way to make sure I have availability for both your maternity and newborn photos. Scheduling those dates early also means one less thing to think about as your due date gets closer, and trust me, you’ll be glad you did!

If you’re already further along and haven’t booked yet, don’t stress. Reach out now and we will work on a plan!

Tips for a Stress-Free Newborn Photo Session from a Boston Maternity Photographer

As a Boston maternity photographer, I know that the idea of coordinating a newborn session while you’re sleep-deprived and adjusting to life with a new baby can feel like a lot. But I promise, a newborn session with me is not something you need to strrress about. From the moment you book, I’ll be right there to help you prepare, answer all of your questions, and make sure you feel completely ready and at ease before the day even arrives. All you have to do is show up and soak in the snuggles. I’ve got the rest covered!

Here are some of my favorite tips to help make your newborn session as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Take Your Newborn Photos at Home

One of the easiest ways to eliminate stress for your newborn session is to take them at home. Everything you might need is right at your fingertips; there’s no packing up the whole family and your baby is already comfortable in a familiar space. 

Please don’t stress about having a perfectly clean, polished house!  We won’t be taking photos in every room. Instead, we’ll focus on the rooms that get the best natural light, which are typically the nursery, the bedroom, and the living room. I’ll help you figure out which spaces will work best once I arrive!

Make Sure Baby is Fed, Rested, and Clean

We’ll get the best photos when your little one is happy, and a fed baby is a happy baby! I recommend feeding your baby right before I arrive so they’re snuggly and sleepy. A fresh diaper right before we start doesn’t hurt either! We can’t always control whether they’re awake or asleep, but no matter what, I promise we will capture the best photos of you with your new little one.

Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time

The one thing that’s worth thinking about in advance for both your maternity and newborn sessions is outfits. For your maternity session, a flowy dress with movement that still gives you shape is always a great option and so is something more form-fitting that really shows off your bump. For your newborn session, I always recommend choosing something that coordinates without matching perfectly. Colors like creams, neutral tones, shades of blue, and blush all photograph wonderfully for both sessions. Try everything on a day or two before so you’re not scrambling at the last minute, and always have a backup outfit ready for your baby just in case there’s a blowout mid-session. It happens, and it is completely fine!

Go With The Flow

Newborn sessions always move at your baby’s pace. If they need a feeding break, a diaper change, or just some extra cuddle time in the middle of our session, that is 100% expected and more than welcome. Nothing is rushed. The best moments happen when you stop worrying about how the photos are turning out and just focus on being present with your new baby. The candid, in-between moments are almost always the ones you’ll love the most.

Include Siblings or Pets

If your new baby has big siblings or a fur sibling, include them in both sessions! It’s so special to show the whole family anticipating the new arrival, and those photos of your older kids kissing the bump are just as precious as the ones of them meeting their new sibling for the first time. 

The same goes for your dog. If your pup is a big part of your family, having them in your photos is such a sweet way to document this season. My biggest tips: have lots of dog treats on hand, and if you can, invite a friend or family member along as an extra set of hands to help wrangle everyone. Click here to read even more tips in depth for including your dog!

Trust Me to Guide You

You do not need to know how to pose for a photoshoot at either session. That is entirely my job! For your maternity session, I will help you find angles and poses that make you feel confident and beautiful at any stage of your pregnancy. 

For your newborn session, from the moment I walk in the door, I will guide you through every part of our time together so you never have to wonder what to do with your hands or where to look. My whole approach is focused on natural light and natural posing, which mostly just looks like a whole lot of baby snuggles. All I need from you is to show up, hold your baby, and let me take care of the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maternity and Newborn Photos

Can I do my maternity and newborn photos at home?

Yes, absolutely! In-home sessions are actually one of my favorite options, especially for newborns. Your baby is comfortable, everything you need is already there, and the photos can feel really personal and sentimental. For maternity sessions, home can also be a great backdrop if your space gets good natural light. If you’re not sure whether your home is the right fit, just reach out, and we can talk through it together!

What is the average cost of newborn photography sessions? 

You can generally expect to invest anywhere from $1000 to $1500. I offer a few different collection options depending on how many milestones you’d like to capture, including combo packages for families who want to document more than one moment in their baby’s first year.

The Bump-to-Baby collection includes a maternity and newborn session, the Baby-to-First Birthday collection includes a newborn and first birthday family session, and the First Year Collective includes a petite maternity session, a newborn session, a petite 6-month session, and a first birthday family session. 

You can always opt for just a single session if that feels right for you, too! Reach out for the most up-to-date pricing, and I’m happy to help you figure out which option is the best fit for you and your family.

What should I bring to my photoshoot?

For your newborn session at home, the good news is that most of what you need is already there! I do recommend having a backup outfit or two for your baby, just in case.Also, if you’re including your dog, make sure you have plenty of treats on hand. 

If your newborn session is at a studio, just think of it like any other outing with a newborn and pack your diaper bag as you normally would with a change of clothes, diapers, wipes, feeding supplies, and anything else your baby might need.

For a maternity session on location, keep it simple: your outfit, comfortable shoes for getting to the spot, and any sentimental props (ie: ultrasound, baby shoes, onesie, etc) if you’d like to incorporate them. I’ll always send you a prep guide before your session so you feel completely ready!

How long will maternity and newborn photos take?

Maternity sessions typically last about an hour, which gives us plenty of time to capture a variety of moments without feeling rushed. Newborn sessions tend to last a little longer, usually between one and two hours since we work entirely at your baby’s pace. We’ll pause for feedings, diaper changes, and cuddle breaks as needed, and that is all completely expected and built into our time together.

How far in advance should I book my maternity and newborn photos?

I typically book out about two to three months in advance, so I always recommend reaching out sooner rather than later to make sure I have availability for your ideal dates. If you’re further along than you’d like to be, don’t panic! Just reach out, and we’ll figure out what works!

How to Book a Professional Maternity and Newborn Photo Session with a Boston Maternity Photographer

Planning your maternity and newborn photos doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, and I hope this guide helped make it all feel a little more manageable. These two sessions together tell such a complete and awe-inspiring story of one of the most significant chapters of your life, from the anticipation of waiting to meet your baby to the moment they’re finally here in your arms. They are the photos you’ll pull out years from now and feel everything all over again.

As a Boston maternity photographer, my biggest goal is to make sure you feel supported and completely at ease from the very first email all the way through your final gallery delivery. I will guide you through every step of the process, so all you have to do is show up and be present with the people you love most.

If you’re ready to book your maternity and newborn photos, I would absolutely love to work with you. You can reach out through my inquiry form here, and we’ll get everything on the calendar!