Find your baby photographer
On Graindevue, you'll find photographers who specialize in babies from their first days through their first birthday. They understand safe newborn posing, how to capture the personality of older babies, and how to work with the unpredictability that defines infant photography.
Why book on Graindevue?
Photographers trained in newborn safety
Newborn photography requires specific expertise that goes beyond standard portrait skills. The poses you see in professional newborn images—curled into props, positioned just so—require training to execute safely. A baby's bones, temperature regulation, and positioning needs differ dramatically from older subjects.
Our newborn photographers understand safe posing techniques, when composite images are necessary for safety, and how to maintain appropriate temperatures and hygiene during sessions. They've invested in learning proper handling and never risk your baby's safety for a photo.
Sessions designed for babies
Babies don't follow schedules, and trying to force them creates stress for everyone. Professional baby photographers build sessions around infant needs rather than rigid timelines.
Newborn sessions include feeding breaks, diaper changes, and soothing time as needed. Older baby sessions work around nap schedules and attention spans. Your photographer will adapt in the moment because they've done this hundreds of times.
Flexible booking for unpredictable timing
Book your newborn session during pregnancy to secure your preferred photographer, then confirm the exact date after delivery. Most photographers hold tentative bookings with flexibility for early or late arrivals.
For older babies, schedule sessions when your child is typically in good spirits—usually after a nap and feeding, during their natural happy window.
Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
Each photographer displays complete package details: session duration, number of edited photos, included props and setups, and delivery timeline. Compare options knowing exactly what you're getting.
How it works
- Discover photographers who specialize in baby sessions near you. Filter by specialty (newborn, first year, milestone sessions) and review their portfolios.
- Book during pregnancy for newborn sessions or choose the session type suited to your child's current age.
- Confirm with a detailed contract that protects everyone and specifies all deliverables.
Key sessions of the first year
Newborn sessions (5-15 days)
The first two weeks of life offer a unique window for newborn photography. During this period, babies sleep deeply and remain in the curled, flexible positions they held in the womb. They transition to alert-awake patterns and lose some of that newborn flexibility surprisingly quickly.
Ideal timing: 5-14 days old
Within the first two weeks, your baby sleeps soundly enough for posed images and maintains newborn features—the tiny wrinkled hands, the delicate skin, the curled positioning. After two weeks, babies often become more alert and less easily posed.
Booking timeline: During pregnancy
Don't wait until after delivery to search for photographers. Good newborn photographers book weeks or months in advance. Reach out around your 7th month, agree on a tentative date, and plan to confirm within 24-48 hours of delivery.
What to expect: 2-4 hour sessions
Newborn sessions take time. Between feeding breaks, soothing, diaper changes, and positioning, expect 2-4 hours for a comprehensive newborn session. Your photographer handles this pacing—you focus on supporting your baby's needs.
Safety considerations:
Professional newborn photographers never risk safety for aesthetics. Some dramatic poses are actually composites where the photographer combines multiple safe shots. Babies are always supported, temperatures are carefully managed, and parents remain close throughout.
3-4 months: First real smiles
At three to four months, your baby begins genuinely interacting with the world. They hold their head up, smile responsively, and show emerging personality. The newborn potato phase has passed, replaced by a small person with expressions and reactions.
This session captures:
- First genuine smiles and coos
- Tummy time and head-lifting
- Interactions with parents
- Emerging personality traits
Sessions at this age move more quickly than newborn shoots since babies are awake and engaged rather than posed while sleeping.
6-8 months: Sitting up and curious
The sitting stage offers fantastic photography opportunities. Your baby can sit independently (or with minimal support), grab objects, and engage with their environment. They're mobile enough to be interesting but not yet crawling away constantly.
This session captures:
- Independent sitting
- Object exploration
- Bigger smiles and reactions
- Developing motor skills
- Personality in full bloom
9-12 months: Standing, cruising, first birthday
The final quarter of year one brings dramatic changes: pulling up, cruising furniture, possibly first steps, and that first birthday celebration. Cake smash sessions have become a popular way to mark turning one.
This session captures:
- Standing and cruising
- First birthday celebrations
- Cake smash fun and mess
- The transition from baby to toddler
- One full year of growth
Tips for successful baby sessions
For newborn sessions (0-15 days)
Feed right before: A full baby is a sleepy baby. Feed your newborn just before the session begins, and plan for another feeding during the session. Sleepy, satisfied babies pose more easily.
Keep them warm: Newborns can't regulate temperature well, and they're often photographed with minimal clothing. Professional photographers warm their studios appropriately and use heating elements near posing areas.
Bring essentials: Pack extra diapers (accidents happen during sessions), extra outfit changes, pacifiers if used, and anything that soothes your specific baby. Your photographer will supply most props, but familiar items can help.
Plan for time: Newborn sessions take 2-4 hours. Don't schedule other appointments. Bring snacks and entertainment for yourself. Some parents nap while their photographer works with their sleeping newborn.
Studio vs. home: Studio sessions offer controlled environments optimized for newborn photography—proper temperatures, professional lighting, extensive prop collections. Home sessions provide comfort in familiar surroundings and can incorporate nursery elements. Discuss options with your photographer.
For baby sessions (3-12 months)
Time it right: Schedule during your baby's natural happy window. For most babies, this means after a nap and feeding, during morning or late afternoon when they're typically alert and content. Avoid tired, hungry, or overstimulated timing.
Bring favorites: Pack your baby's favorite toys, loveys, and comfort items. Familiar objects help babies feel secure in new environments and give the photographer engagement tools.
Dress for success: Bring multiple outfit options—babies spit up, have diaper incidents, and photograph differently in various colors. Simple, solid-colored outfits often photograph best, but bring options for your photographer to recommend.
Stay relaxed: Babies sense parental stress. If you're anxious about cooperation, your baby will pick up on it. Trust your photographer's experience, stay calm, and know that professional baby photographers get great shots even from challenging sessions.
Prepare for activity: Older babies move. A lot. Sessions may involve chasing crawlers, redirecting attention constantly, and working with short focus spans. This is normal—your photographer expects it.
Understanding newborn photography safety
What safe newborn photography looks like
Professional newborn photographers prioritize safety above aesthetics. This means:
Constant support: Babies are never left unattended in any position. A parent or assistant is always within arm's reach, often cropped out of final images.
Composite techniques: Some impressive poses are actually combinations of multiple shots. A baby appearing to balance in an impossible position may actually be separately photographed from multiple angles with hands supporting them, then edited together.
Temperature control: Studios are heated appropriately for naked or minimally-clothed newborns. Photographers monitor temperature throughout sessions.
Hygiene practices: Props, blankets, and surfaces are cleaned between clients. Photographers maintain hygiene protocols appropriate for immune-vulnerable newborns.
Red flags to avoid
Be cautious of photographers who:
- Seem to rush through safety discussions
- Want to attempt complex poses on day one with a new baby
- Don't discuss their training or safety practices
- Work without parents nearby
- Seem frustrated when babies need breaks
A professional will happily discuss their approach to safety and show you how they achieve various poses without risk.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book my newborn photographer?
Book during pregnancy—ideally around your 7th month. This gives time to research styles, communicate with photographers, and secure a booking with your preferred professional. Confirm the actual session date within 24-48 hours of delivery for optimal timing in the 5-14 day window.
What if my baby arrives early or late?
Professional newborn photographers expect delivery date flexibility. Your tentative booking holds your spot, and you confirm the actual date after birth. Communicate promptly once baby arrives so your photographer can adjust their schedule.
Are newborn poses safe?
With properly trained photographers, yes. Safe newborn photography uses support, composites, and appropriate techniques to create beautiful images without risk. Ask about your photographer's training and safety practices.
How many photos will I receive?
This varies by package, but typical newborn sessions deliver 25-50 edited images. First-year milestone packages may include 15-30 images per session. Review package details before booking.
Can siblings and parents be in newborn photos?
Yes—family shots are a standard part of most newborn sessions. Brief portions typically include parents and any siblings. Keep sibling involvement short to maintain their cooperation and focus.
Should I bring my own props?
Photographers typically supply props, backgrounds, and wraps. However, meaningful personal items—a family heirloom blanket, a special toy, a parent's wedding attire—can add personal significance. Discuss with your photographer what to bring.
What if my baby won't cooperate?
Professional baby photographers expect non-cooperation. They have strategies, patience, and experience getting beautiful images from challenging sessions. A crying baby, a wide-awake newborn, a crawler who won't stop moving—they've handled it all. Trust their process.
Memories of their smallest selves
Babies change so quickly that even parents struggle to remember exactly how they looked at different stages. Professional baby photography freezes these fleeting moments into images you'll treasure for decades.
The investment isn't just for now—it's for the future you who will look at these photos and barely remember when your grown child was ever this small.