You’ve welcomed your baby, and now you’re ready to capture those tender, fleeting first weeks, the curled-up fingers, soft skin, and sleepy snuggles that change far too quickly.

My in-home newborn sessions are designed to be calm, gentle, and true to your family. Here’s what you can expect, how to prepare, and why I believe your home is the most beautiful place to tell this story.

When to book your newborn session

I always recommend booking your newborn session while you’re still pregnant. That way, we can reserve space on my calendar around your due date, and you don’t have to stress about me fitting you in during the blur of those first postpartum weeks. Once your baby arrives, we’ll pick an exact date together based on how you’re feeling and what works best for your family, as your time is already secured.

When to schedule the session

Newborn sessions can take place anytime in the first few months, depending on how you’re feeling postpartum. We’ll work together to figure out what you want.

For that classic, sleepy, curled-up newborn look, I recommend photographing your baby within the first 10 days. Around this time, they’re still tiny and extra snuggly, but if you need some time to heal, it’s flexible. You are part of the session as well, and I want you to feel ready and comfortable.

After two weeks, babies often become more alert and expressive, and their wake times are longer, which can be just as beautiful in photos. Between 2 and 4 weeks, some babies develop newborn acne, but it usually fades quickly.

Honestly, there’s no “wrong” time. Whether we photograph your baby at one week or six weeks (or later), you’ll love the images; they’ll reflect your baby exactly as they are.

In her mamas arms after a feed in the rocking chair.

What time of day works best

Morning light (between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.) is usually ideal, soft, warm, and flattering. It also tends to be when babies are happiest.

If your home gets better light later in the day, that’s totally fine too. Overcast skies? No problem. I’m always able to find beautiful, muted light near windows.

What to wear

Keep it simple and comfortable. Soft, neutral tones, creams, muted earth colors, gentle blues or pinks photograph beautifully and keep the focus on connection.

For your baby, bring out a few favorites: a soft swaddle, a simple cotton onesie, or even just a white diaper (Dyper makes great print-free ones). Knit fabrics and linens are especially lovely.

For yourself and your partner, wear something you feel good in, something that feels you. If we’re doing any feeding or skin-to-skin photos, have a nursing bra or top you like in photos. Button-up shirts or an open sweater and a tank can be nice for you as well. Avoid logos or bold patterns that might distract.

If you’d like help choosing outfits, I’m happy to guide you — or you can check out my Pinterest inspiration boards (which I’ll send your way after booking). If you see something that inspires you, screenshot it and share it before your session so we can recreate the vibe in your home.

Local favorites for baby and family wardrobe staples:

Sprouts in Whitefish
Nature Baby or Lyon and Pearle in Kalispell
Target, for simple, timeless basics

I love the texture that this quilt, handmade for baby brings into the photo. Someday I’m sure this will be passed down and being able to look back at this image is so special.

Preparing your home

Please don’t stress about cleaning. Truly. You just had a baby. I’m a mom, I get it. All I need is a little natural light and a bit of clear space (usually the bedroom and living room), and we’ll make magic together. I can help with this if needed.

Crank up the heat before I arrive (babies love being warm), and feed baby right before the session for that sweet, milk-drunk sleepiness. Open the blinds, natural light is our friend. Have a few favorite blankets, swaddles, or outfits ready, and that’s it — you’re all set.

If you’d like to incorporate greenery or flowers, I love photographing through them — they add a dreamy, natural touch.

Family portrait right in their living room.

Why home?

The textures of your life, the cozy corner of your couch, the light that pours through your nursery window, the mug that’s always within reach, these are all part of your story.

The home you brought your baby to, even if it’s not your forever home, is sacred in its own way. In-home newborn sessions honor that space. They capture the beauty of your family and the quiet details that make this chapter uniquely yours.

And practically speaking, not having to leave the house in those early weeks is such a gift. Getting out the door with a newborn can feel like climbing a mountain. Instead, stay cozy. I’ll come to you, find the light, and move things around if needed. You just settle in and love on your baby.

This pillow and the tiny toes. These a memories to hold on to.

Who is included

Every in-home newborn session includes your immediate family, baby, parents, and siblings (including the furry ones). These sessions are meant to tell the story of your family as it is right now: tender, sleepy, joyful, a little messy, and full of love.

If we need to schedule around work or school, I can easily adapt. Sometimes we include dad and siblings at the beginning or end of the session, whatever feels easiest for you. Flexibility is key. I want the session to feel calm, not stressful, and for everyone to feel comfortable and included.

Grandparents are wonderful to have in photos, but since larger groups change the focus of the session, there’s a small additional fee. If you’d love dedicated photos with grandparents, I often recommend booking a separate “grandparent session”; it’s such a special keepsake for everyone.

Baby boy with his siblings. Including your first born and your first baby (often a furry one) is so important to capture.

A gentle, doula-informed presence

One of the gifts of being both a birth and postpartum doula, as well as a photographer, is understanding just how tender those early weeks can feel. I know how to move slowly, read the room, and create an environment that feels calm and safe, not rushed or overly posed.

If you’re still healing, navigating feeding, or simply feeling emotional (as most new parents do), that’s all welcome here. I’ll gently guide you through the session while making space for breaks to feed, snuggle, or breathe. You can trust that I’ll handle your newborn confidently and with care, adjusting wraps, posing safely, and following the baby’s cues every step of the way.

My goal is for you to look back at your photos and feel the love and peace in them, because you actually experienced those things during our time together.

This sweet girl needed to feed during almost the entire session, so we followed her lead and her needs.

At the very end I wanted a couple of photos with dad holding her and that happened to be the trick, She calmed right down and fell fast asleep. Sometimes dad is the magic that’s needed.

The simplicity of a baby in a diaper. It’s perfection.

I love a fresh baby bathtub session, we usually do this as the final set up so you can enjoy the bath after I leave.

Oh and this little hand and her Mama necklace.

More textures of home mixed into a sweet newborn session.

These sweet twins needed some time in the NICU and I offer complimentary NICU sessions for any families already booked with me navigating this. We can do a sweet session at the hospital and then one at home at no extra cost. So we can get their littlest moments.

This was from their session at home a few weeks later.

Even on a rainy dim day we can find the light and make some magic.

Looking ahead, maternity + newborn packages

If you’re still expecting, consider booking your maternity and newborn sessions together. These seasons flow beautifully into each other, and I love documenting that full circle of anticipation and arrival. When you book both as a package, you’ll receive a special discount and priority scheduling on my calendar. It’s one less thing to plan during the postpartum haze and ensures your story is captured from bump to baby.