Preparing for your newborn session

When to book & the best timing

Newborns are at their sleepiest and curliest in the first two weeks, which is why classic posed sessions are best photographed between 5 and 14 days old. We recommend reserving your date while you're still pregnant (around your due date) — once baby arrives, we simply confirm the exact day. Prefer awake, wide-eyed photos? Those work beautifully from around 4 weeks, so let us know your preference.

Feeding

A full, content baby settles most easily. Please arrive about 30 minutes early so we can settle in and you can feed baby right before we begin. We'll take plenty of feeding and cuddle breaks throughout, so there's never any rush. If you bottle-feed, bring a little extra — babies often feed more than usual during a session.

Sleep

Where you can, try to keep baby awake for 30–60 minutes before the session so they're ready for a deep sleep once here. A warm sponge bath about an hour beforehand often helps. That said, babies keep their own schedule — please don't stress if it doesn't go to plan. We work entirely at baby's pace.

A warm studio

We keep the studio nice and warm so your baby stays cosy and asleep while unwrapped. It's warmer than you might expect — so dress lightly and comfortably yourself.

What baby wears

• ✓Arrive in a loose sleepsuit with zips or press-studs — easy to slip off without waking baby.
• ✓Loosen baby's clothing and nappy about 30 minutes before, so any elastic marks fade and skin looks flawless.
• ✓We provide all the wraps, hats, headbands, outfits and props — so you don't need to bring a thing.

What parents & siblings wear

• ✓Choose soft, solid, neutral tones — cream, oatmeal, taupe, soft clay and grey photograph beautifully.
• ✓Avoid busy patterns, bright blocks of colour and large logos, which draw the eye from baby.
• ✓Coordinate rather than match — a mix of light and mid tones in the same family works best.
• ✓Bring a dark top if you'd like a few tender silhouette images.

What to bring

• ✓Extra milk or formula, and a dummy/pacifier if your baby uses one (we keep spares too).
• ✓Spare nappies, wipes and a muslin or two.
• ✓A spare top for yourselves — little accidents happen when baby is unwrapped.
• ✓Any heirloom or sentimental item you'd love included.
• ✓Entertainment and a snack for older siblings. Coffee and refreshments are on for parents, with snacks for the little ones.

Bringing siblings

Older brothers and sisters are welcome for their photos at the start. It helps to arrange for another adult to take them off afterwards so baby's session stays calm. Let us lead the interaction — little ones often relax more when parents step back for a moment.

Safety, always first

Kirty is an APNPI-accredited newborn photographer. Every pose is baby-led and safety-first — the more delicate poses are created using gentle, safe techniques and careful editing, never by putting your baby at risk. We will never force a pose your baby isn't happy in.

And finally — relax

Babies can sense when we're calm. Sessions are deliberately unhurried, with lots of breaks, so please sit back, enjoy a coffee and let us do the work. This is meant to be a lovely, gentle few hours together.