The Newborn Field Guide

— 01

When to book

The gentlest newborn sessions happen in the first 5–14 days, while babies still curl easily and sleep deeply between feeds. On the Northern Beaches we recommend reaching out in your second trimester — most months fill four to six weeks ahead.

Your due date holds your spot. We photograph within two weeks of baby's actual arrival, and reschedule freely for early or late arrivals, NICU stays, or a rough night before.

— 02

What to wear

Think soft, quiet colours that let skin and expression carry the frame. Cream, oatmeal, sand, dove grey, warm tan, muted olive. Avoid bright logos, busy prints, and stark white.

• —Mum — a flowing knit or linen dress, bare feet, minimal jewellery.
• —Dad — a soft tee or unbuttoned linen shirt in a tone that sits with mum's.
• —Siblings — cream, oat, or the same family palette; no character prints.
• —Baby — we provide every wrap, bonnet and blanket in-studio.

— 03

Feeding and sleep timing

A settled baby is the whole ballgame. Plan for a full feed 30–45 minutes before we start, and try to keep baby awake for the drive in — car naps make studio naps harder.

Sessions run 2–3 hours so we can feed, top-up, cuddle and re-settle without any rush. Bring more nappies than you think you need, a spare outfit for mum, and something to snack on.

— 04

Ten questions to ask any photographer

Any newborn photographer worth their salt will welcome these. If an answer feels vague, keep looking.

• —Are you trained in newborn safety and posing — and do you use a spotter for composite images?
• —Is your studio temperature-controlled and set up specifically for newborns?
• —How do you handle reflux, unsettled babies, or a session that needs to pause?
• —Do you have public liability and professional indemnity insurance?
• —What happens if baby arrives early, late, or is unwell on the day?
• —How many final images do I receive, and how are they delivered?
• —Do you edit skin gently — keeping baby milk-spots and newborn features intact?
• —Are wardrobe, wraps and props included, or extra?
• —What's your turnaround for the gallery, and for any prints or albums?
• —Can I see a full session gallery — not just the highlights — of a baby around my baby's age?