The Ultimate Guide to Newborn Baby Photoshoots in Dublin

Thinking of booking a Baby Photoshoot? Then read this

So you've just had a baby, or you're about to, and someone has mentioned a newborn photoshoot and now you're down a rabbit hole wondering what it actually involves, whether your baby will cooperate, whether your house is good enough and roughly a hundred other things you don't have the headspace for right now. This guide is for you. I'm going to answer all of it.

What is a Newborn Baby Photoshoot?

A newborn baby photoshoot is a photography session capturing your baby in those very first days and weeks of life. The the tiny fingers & toes, and the way they curl up and fit perfectly on someone's chest. It's also about capturing you as a brand new family, in whatever shape that takes.

There are two main types of newborn photoshoots. Studio sessions, which involve a lot of props, wraps and sleeping babies posed in very specific ways, and in-home documentary sessions, which is what I do. I come to your home, work with whatever light is available, and photograph real life as it unfolds around your new baby. Both are valid - they just produce very different results.

When Should I Book a Newborn Baby Photoshoot?

The honest answer is as early as possible, ideally before the baby arrives. I get a lot of enquiries from parents who have a two week old and are suddenly panicking that they've missed it. You haven't missed it, but booking ahead means you get your preferred dates and you have one less thing to think about in those first few weeks of a newborn fog.

In terms of age, I photograph newborns from a few days old right through to around twelve weeks. Each age has its own magic. A five day old baby is all curled up and sleepy. A six week old is starting to show their personality. A three month old has the most beautiful smiles. None of these is better than the other, they're just different.

Does My Baby Need to Be Asleep?

No, and this is one of the biggest misconceptions about newborn photography. Highly posed studio sessions do require a deeply sleeping baby in order to manoeuvre the baby into positions. But for a documentary session like mine, a sleeping baby is wonderful but absolutely not necessary.

An awake, alert baby who has no interest in sleeping offers something equally beautiful. Those wide eyes. That emerging personality. A photo of a baby staring up at their dad's face is just as precious as a photo of them sleeping in a basket, maybe more so.

What if My Baby Won't Stop Crying?

I get asked this a lot and my answer is always the same. Please don't worry about it. Babies cry. They get hungry, they need winding, they need a nappy change, and sometimes they just want to be held and that is exactly what we'll do. I build padding into every session specifically for this reason. If your baby needs twenty minutes of being walked around the kitchen, that's fine. I'm not tapping my watch. I'm usually chatting with you or just quietly enjoying the calm while you do what you need to do.

The most beautiful photos often come right in the middle of the unsettled moments. A mother rocking a fussing baby against her chest. A dad doing everything he can to get a tiny human to sleep. That is real early parenthood and it is worth capturing.

Does My House Need to Be Tidy?

If I had a euro for every time someone apologised for their house before I even walked in the door, I could probably retire. Your house does not need to be Pinterest ready. It needs to have a window with some natural light coming through it, and that's about it.

I frame my shots to crop out the clutter. If there's a distraction in the background I'll quietly move it. And honestly, a home that looks lived in adds warmth to photographs that a studio background never can. The pile of tiny sleepsuits on the chair. The bassinet in the corner of the bedroom. The cup of cold tea on the nightstand that you keep forgetting to drink. That is your life right now and in ten years you'll want to remember it exactly as it was.

What Should We Wear for a Newborn Baby Photoshoot?

Keep it simple and keep it neutral. Soft tones like cream, warm white, sage green and dusty pink photograph beautifully and feel timeless. Avoid very bright colours or busy patterns as they tend to draw the eye away from the people wearing them, which is the last thing you want.

Comfort matters too. You've just had a baby. Wear something you feel good in, not something you're going to be self-conscious about all morning.

Can We Include Siblings and Pets?

Absolutely yes to both. Sibling shots are some of my favourites to take. The curiosity, the protectiveness, the slightly uncertain face of a toddler meeting their new brother or sister for the first time. These are the photos that will absolutely floor you in twenty years.

Pets are always welcome too, as long as they're comfortable around strangers and your baby.

How Long Does a Newborn Baby Photoshoot Take?

A full session with me is around two hours, though I always build in extra time so there's never any rushing. A lot of that time isn't spent actively photographing (you should expect maybe 1 hour of active shooting). It's feeding breaks, nappy changes, a bit of soothing, a cup of tea for you. The camera comes out when things are calm and the moments are there to be captured. The two hours allows time for set up, as well as looking at some print samples I will bring along.

What Happens After the Photoshoot?

After the session I'll do a full edit of your images, working on light, colour and skin tones, and then deliver your gallery to a private online link. You can browse through everything, share with family and download straight to your phone or computer. I also offer prints, framed prints and albums if you'd like something to put on the wall, and I'd really encourage you to think about that because photos that only live on a phone have a habit of getting lost.

How Do I Book a Newborn Baby Photoshoot in Dublin?

The easiest way is to get in touch through my contact page or drop me a WhatsApp. I cover Dublin and surrounding areas including Louth, Kildare and Wicklow, and I'd love to hear about your family.

Contact me here, or drop me a WhatsApp. Visit my Newborn Portfolio to see more.