Newborn photography FAQs

Here are the answers to the questions I hear most often — come take a peek!

When should I book a newborn photographer?

I encourage you to reach out as soon as you’re comfortable sharing that you’re pregnant! I book a limited number of newborn sessions each month, so it’s never too early to book a newborn photographer and get on their schedule. 

If you’re almost due or recently had your baby, there’s sometimes a chance that I could still fit you into my schedule -- you're welcome to still reach out! But my couples and families have found that if we're able to schedule far ahead of time, we can make the entire portrait process super relaxed and stress-free when we can plan for it early. 

How does scheduling work with newborn photography? What do you do if the baby is early or late? 

All of my bookings start with a conversation with my clients regarding what they’re looking for with newborn photography to make sure that we’re a good fit. Once we decide to move forward, we’ll book a tentative photo session date for your session. 

Most newborn sessions happen between 5-15 days after a baby’s birth, when the baby is super small and sleepy! If that’s what you’re looking for, we’ll pick a tentative date 5-7 days after your baby’s due date. You’ll then keep me updated throughout your pregnancy and we'll adjust as needed if your baby’s due date changes. 

Once your baby is born, I’m one of the first people you’ll let know (usually within a day or so!) . and we'll  touch base to confirm or reschedule  a final date/time for your session within that 5-15 day postpartum window. 

If your baby comes early or late, that’s totally okay; I take on a limited number of newborn sessions so that I can leave flexible space in my schedule to make sure I’m ready for each family I work with. 

Some couples also opt for a session when the baby is closer to a month old (at that point, their baby has more alertness, open eyes, and can interact with them a bit more). When that's the goal, it's less likely that we'll need to adjust the session date as well and we'll just aim for a day about a month after the due date. 

How does newborn session scheduling work during the pandemic? 

Thankfully, with the way I shoot newborns, we’re not strictly tied to a particular timeline. My lifestyle approach means that I can document babies at any age and it’ll work beautifully. 

During the first 5-15 day postpartum window, babies are super small, fresh, and sweet. Once they get closer to a month old, their eyes are open for more of the day and they start showing more connection with their parents. 

After those first few months pass, babies connect more and more with their parents and they become more engaged and expressive, which is super lovely to capture in photographs - they get playful and have more personality come out! Especially with the pandemic, I think it's helpful to know that we can take amazing portraits together at any age, and that I’ll be able to capture photographs you’ll cherish always. 

If I become ill or you become ill, or if either of us isn't comfortable for any reason based on where the pandemic is at, we can always reschedule for another time. Your little one will still be sweet and small and perfect to photograph, no matter how many weeks or months old they are. 

Do you meet in person before a newborn session? 

I like to meet all of my clients before their sessions! An in-person meeting is ideal, but we are always able to do a video meeting instead (especially given pandemic-related concerns).

I find it helpful to meet up in the space that we’ll be shooting in, whether that’s my studio or your home. This allows us to talk through session ideas together and check out whatever space we’ll be using! Plus, I can show you art samples, talk through details and pricing, and answer any questions you have so that things feel super easy and relaxed on the day of your newborn session. 

How many pictures do you deliver from a newborn session? 

You’ll typically see about 60 final images from a session!

How long does a newborn session take? 

I block off four hours for a photoshoot. With newborn sessions, I follow the newborn’s lead, and I like to have lots of extra time set aside in case your newborn needs a quiet snuggle moment with you, a diaper change or two, or a feeding. 

Where will our newborn photo session take place? 

We have three options! The first option is shooting at your home. I love doing lifestyle sessions within a family’s home; it feels really authentic and meaningful. It can be a great way to document this chapter of your life in the actual setting your life is unfolding in! 

The second option is my studio, which has amazing natural light and a cozy loft vibe. It’s a quiet, peaceful space with neutral decor and temperature control that works perfectly for newborn sessions. This is a great option for families who don’t want to worry about having someone in their home (or about cleaning beforehand!). If we decide to have your newborn session in my studio, I’ll make sure everything is super clean and sanitized for you and your baby beforehand. 

The third option is outdoors. This can be the trickiest setting for newborn photography because we can’t control the temperature, and newborns like to be warm and cozy (adults are much better at tolerating uncomfortable weather!). This is generally better as an add-on location rather than a standalone location due to the variables involved, but if you have a beautiful backyard and the weather is warm and pleasant, we can absolutely shoot a few pictures outside. 

What if my baby is crying or fussy during the session? What if an older sibling (or pet) is misbehaving? 

I think this is a fear that tons of parents have before their photo session -- and it totally makes sense! Of course you want your pictures to go well, and no one can control their little one’s mood. 

I find it helpful to set reasonable expectations. Kiddos and pets can tell when something’s different in their home, especially when there’s someone new in their home pointing a camera at them! Photoshoots are not normal days! It’s totally normal if they act a little off or are nervous. I’ve worked a ton with kids, and I never expect little ones to act perfectly or always listen. 

If this is a concern of yours, let me know and we will talk more about this before your newborn session -- but in the meantime, the very best piece of guidance I have is to let me do the work for you! I find it can add extra pressure on kiddos when they’re told to smile or hold still by their parents. I have lots of experience with kids and can generally guide them through a photoshoot super well. I like to keep the atmosphere low-key and relaxed so kids feel at ease -- but I’ll still be able to get beautiful pictures even if your kiddo is feeling fussy or having a hard time focusing! 

This is actually one of the benefits of doing a lifestyle session instead of a studio photoshoot. In a lifestyle session, we can pause and take a break for a while (another bonus of having four hours reserved)! If your child needs some downtime, you can engage them in an activity -- looking out the window, sharing a snack, reading a book, playing together, taking a walk -- and I can take pictures of you together during it! You’ll be creating a distraction and a feeling of normalcy, and I’ll be getting really authentic moments caught on camera. 

If your baby is crying, that’s okay -- babies cry! We can take a picture of it if you like and let your little one take a break until they’re feeling a little better. I’ve been in sessions where the baby cries a lot, but babies always pause in between cries, and I’ll be able to get good pictures once they settle down. In short, please don’t panic… I’ve got your back! 

What if I suffer a loss? 

I know that so many people experience loss during or after pregnancy. If that’s something that has happened to you or that you’re fearful of, my heart is with you. I can absolutely understand how this might make it harder or scarier to book a photographer in advance of your baby’s birth. 

I encourage people to book me for newborn photography as soon as they’re comfortable sharing the news of their pregnancy with me, as I have limited newborn slots available (this helps me make sure I can be ready for each newborn as soon as they arrive!). That being said, if you would feel more comfortable waiting to schedule a session, feel free to reach out to me at whatever point you feel ready. You’re also welcome to reach out to me directly with any questions or anxieties related to booking, and I'm happy to answer questions or talk through a plan that feels like a good fit for you. 

If you do suffer a loss, I will be here to support whatever feels best for you. I’m happy to refund your deposit or make a change to do a different kind of photography. I will always be here for you as a fellow human being first and a photographer second. 

What is your pricing and what does that include? 

I offer a few booking package options - I've found that most of my clients find it helpful to pre-pay for a product or collection as part of their booking package, and if you do that you'll get a discount off the a-la-carte pricing. If you'd rather not commit to a specific ordering option yet, you can book my a-la-carte session fee and choose from my a-la-carte price list at your portrait reveal appointment. 

All of my booking package options have the same lifestyle portrait experience, which includes a pre-session planning meeting, a photoshoot with unlimited time, your choice of a session at my studio in Minneapolis or at at your home (within the Twin Cities metro, although I'm always happy to travel farther as well) and seeing your portraits a week or two later at your portrait reveal appointment. You'll place your order for your final portraits/art collection at your portrait reveal appointment. 

My booking packages range from 1500 - 3400, with most clients spending between 1500-4000 in total between their booking package and final portraits/art collection. You can see my full price list inside my Lifestyle and Newborns info/pricing guide (click here to download the guide, or email me at info@alyssalundphotography.com for a copy).