Your Newborn Session Planner
welcoming your newest little love
location
timing
wardrobe
the experience
BEFORE WE BEGIN
A little note from me
Those very first weeks with a newborn are unlike anything else — a blur of wonder, exhaustion, and feeling wildly in love. Your newborn session is designed to hold onto this exact moment, before it slips away.
My biggest hope is that you arrive at your session and feel completely at ease. Leave the rest to me. My studio is warm, the pace is slow, and feeding breaks, cuddles and nappy changes are all part of the process.
I can't wait to meet your newest little love.
Sarah x
where your story begins
Every family has a place where they feel most at ease. Choose the setting that feels most natural for you, your baby, and this beautiful season of life.
Home
If you're after a cosy session in the comfort of your own home then this is a great option! If your house has beautiful natural light and feels comfortable for you, then there is no need to leave the house - I will bring everything I need with me. If you would like to include an activity during your session, let's weave that in. Coffee in hand, a shower with baby or perhaps it's their first bath. Maybe you have a beautiful garden that we can take a little wander outside in. We have 1-2 hours so plenty of time, I will just need your help deciding if morning or afternoon lighting is best for your in home session.
Studio
The new studio is located at 157 Alabama Road, Redwoodtown, Blenheim at Grey Floral. The studio offers a simple environment where you can settle in and enjoy the experience it's small and cosy, with neutral styling and everything we need for those naturally posed and timeless photos with your baby. The best part is I can control the temperature and have installed a LED lighting so we never need to worry about what the weather outside is doing. For many families, this may be one of your very first outings together. I can't wait to welcome you into the space I've created.
Outdoors
Why not break the rules a little and choose a session somewhere a little more adventurous? If your family loves being outdoors, exploring, and soaking up the beauty of nature, then an outdoor session may be the perfect fit. A sunset session offers beautiful natural light and the freedom to let your family simply be together. This can be especially wonderful for siblings who love to move, explore, and play. With baby dressed warmly, we can keep them cosy and snug while capturing those natural moments of connection.
location guide
Marlborough offers the most beautiful backdrops for your newborn session, from golden hills and coastlines to vineyards and open skies. Together, we can choose a setting that feels natural and meaningful for your family.
the newborn sweet spot
Why? Because they are so tiny AND this is when they are super sleepy, easy to naturally pose on parents and move without waking or disturbing them. The goal is to have baby content and sleepy during the session. If they are awake and happy during the session this is absolutely ok! I fully understand that at the time this may feel like the absolute last thing you want to do. You might have been up multiple times throughout the night, feel tired, the hormones are going crazy and you are so early postpartum. I have been there too. Give yourself grace, I am here to support you and make sure you're comfortable throughout the session. This is a time to sit back and enjoy staring at that beautiful baby you grew inside your belly.
Trust me it will be worth it.
If you need a little extra time that is no problem at all, any time under 6 weeks is still perfect. We just adjust to working with a Bub that will likely spend more of the session awake.
From a photographer's perspective, the best window of opportunity for newborn photos is when your baby is around 1-2 weeks old
dressing for
these moments
For Mum
+ Choose something that feels beautiful, comfortable, and like you.
+ If you are breastfeeding, consider something that is easy to feed in so you feel relaxed throughout your session.
+ Soft, neutral, and earthy tones photograph beautifully and help keep the focus on your connection with your baby.
+ Please be gentle with yourself during this season. There is no need to rush back to who you were before baby. Your body has carried, grown, and brought your beautiful baby into the world — allow yourself the space to embrace where you are now, with patience, love, and kindness.
+ You are welcome to try on any items from the Client Wardrobe. These pieces have be chosen with you in mind many fit a range of sizes and are feeding friendly - just let me know and we can arrange a time.
For Baby
+ Keep it simple — one outfit & wrap option is all you need, once baby is settled we want to disturb them as least as possible.
+ I have a selection of baby clothes and blankets available for you to view and choose from on the day however if you have a sentimental outfit of your own you're most welcome to use that.
For the Family
+ Choose one outfit in soft neutral or earthy tones for a timeless, effortless look.
+ Avoid bright colours, bold patterns, and large logos to keep the focus on the love, connection, and emotion in your images.
client wardrobe
A gorgeous selection of pieces lovingly chosen so you can feel comfortable, confident, and completely yourself during your session.
STEP 01
Reserve your session
Your due date is the beginning of your journey with me. Once your booking is confirmed, I will reserve a space for you around your due date.
As babies have their own plans and timing, we will finalise your session date once your little one arrives. If you have a planned induction or caesarean date, we can arrange your session ahead of time.
STEP 02
Welcome your baby
Once your baby has arrived, simply send me a message and I will provide a selection of available dates for you to choose from.
There is no need to stress about the exact timing — I understand those early days can be unpredictable, and I will guide you through the process.
STEP 03
Capture the moments
This is your time to slow down, soak it all in, and simply enjoy your baby.
Whether at home, in the studio, or outdoors, your session will be relaxed, baby-led, and gently guided. There is plenty of time for feeding, cuddles, settling, and those beautiful little moments in between.
STEP 04
Your gallery awaits
After your session, I will edit and prepare your images to present your gallery for viewing.
These moments will become treasured memories of the tiny details, love, and connection from this beautiful chapter of your family's story.
your session journey
my workflow / what to expect
creating with intention
I follow a gentle, baby-led approach that allows me to capture those beautiful sleepy images, along with all the tiny details you never want to forget.
We often begin by offering baby a feed, before I wrap and gently settle baby to sleep. From there, I will guide you through the session, starting with family images and baby safely snuggled in the arms of each parent. If siblings are joining us, we will capture those moments too before moving on to individual portraits of baby.
There is plenty of time for feeding, cuddles, nappy changes, and settling throughout the session. Nothing is rushed — we simply follow your baby's lead and create beautiful memories along the way.
A Gentle, Baby-Led Experience
FAQ
What should I bring to my session?
Keep it simple. Bring anything your baby needs to feel comfortable — nappies, wipes, extra milk if needed, and any special keepsakes you would love included.
What if my baby doesn't sleep during the session?
While sleepy images are beautiful, there is absolutely no pressure for your baby to sleep the entire time. Every baby is different, and some of the most beautiful moments happen when they are awake, being cuddled, stretching, or simply taking in the world around them. We will follow your baby's lead and create beautiful images either way.
Can siblings and partners be included?
Absolutely. These images are about your whole family and the connection you share. I encourage you to include your partner and siblings so we can capture this beautiful transition into your new chapter together.
What happens if the weather isn’t suitable for our outdoor session?
Your baby's comfort always comes first. If the weather isn’t ideal, we can adjust the timing, choose another beautiful location, or reschedule if needed. Sometimes the softest light comes from unexpected weather, and we will always work together to create something beautiful.
What happens next?
1 month prior to your session you will receive a newborn questionnaire this is when you can fill in all the details and we can have a chat to lock everything in! I am always available on email should you need to get in touch sooner.
A final note from me
Thank you for trusting me to capture these precious first moments with your baby.
It is such a privilege to be invited into this season of your life — the tiny details, the sleepy cuddles, the little hands, and the overwhelming love that fills these early days. These moments are fleeting, and my hope is to preserve the beauty of this chapter for you to hold onto for years to come.
As you prepare for your session, please know there is no pressure for everything to be perfect. You don’t need the perfect outfit, the perfect routine, or a perfectly settled baby. These first weeks are beautifully unpredictable, and that is exactly what makes them so special.
My goal is to create a space where you can slow down, feel completely at ease, and simply enjoy your baby while I gently capture the connection and love between you.
I can’t wait!
Sarah x