Preparing for your Studio Newborn Session with Francelles Photography

Preparing for a newborn photo session is such an exciting time. As a Boise newborn photographer, I love welcoming families into the studio—it’s cozy, natural, and designed to feel like home. The best part? You don’t have to worry about creating the perfect setup, everything is ready when you arrive.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to expect during your studio newborn session, what to bring with you, and how to prepare your baby and family so the day feels relaxed and stress-free.

Everything to know about our Studio Newborn Sessions

What to Expect at Your Studio Newborn Session

My photography style is natural and connection-focused, blending lifestyle moments with a few lightly posed portraits. The studio has a comfortable bed for snuggling, modern chairs, and soft décor that feels like home without being distracting. A full wall of windows fills the space with natural light, giving your portraits a timeless, organic look.

The heart of the session will be your family together, but I’ll also capture sweet individual portraits of your baby. I provide wraps, simple outfits, baskets, and a few minimal props to style those newborn shots while keeping the focus on your little one.

What to Bring to Your Newborn Photo Session

The beauty of a studio session is that you don’t need to bring much. Just a few essentials:

• Diapers and wipes

• A change of clothes for baby

• A pacifier (neutral colors photograph best—here’s my favorite kind)

• A bottle if your baby is bottle-fed

Everything else—baby wraps, outfits, headbands, and accessories—is provided for you, unless you have something sentimental you’d like to include.

What to wear?

Choosing outfits can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Neutral, soft tones always photograph beautifully. I recommend ivory, beige, greys, and earthy shades. These tones keep the focus on your baby and avoid casting color on their skin while they’re snuggled in your arms.

When selecting clothing:

• Stick with soft fabrics like cotton or knits

• Avoid bold patterns, logos, or neon colors

• Keep everyone comfortable—if you feel good, it will show in your photos

For your baby, you don’t need to bring any special outfits unless you’d like to. The studio is stocked with wraps, tiny outfits, and accessories chosen specifically for timeless newborn portraits.

And don’t forget, I have a curated client closet available for moms and children up to size 8. If you’d like to borrow something, just let me know.

How to Prepare the Day of Your Session

Newborn sessions are calm and unhurried, typically lasting up to two hours. To help the day go smoothly:

• Feed and change your baby right before leaving home

• If possible, keep baby awake for a short while beforehand—this often helps them sleep deeply once the session begins

• Dress baby in something soft and easy to remove so we don’t disturb them during outfit changes

• Remember: breaks for feeding, soothing, or cuddling are completely normal and part of the process

If siblings are joining, bring along small toys, books, or snacks. Some families choose to bring two cars—after family photos, one parent can take siblings home while we finish baby’s individual portraits.

Quick Checklist for Your Newborn Photo Session

• Neutral, comfortable outfits for parents and siblings (or borrow from the client closet)

• Diapers, wipes, and a spare outfit for baby

• A pacifier (optional, but helpful)

• A bottle if needed

• Snacks and small toys for siblings

• Feed and change baby before the session

• Bring any sentimental items you’d like included in the photos

  
  

Final Thoughts

Bringing your newborn out of the house for the first time can feel like a big task, but studio newborn sessions are designed to be simple and stress-free. My Boise studio is fully prepared so you can simply focus on your baby and your family’s connection.

With a little preparation, you’ll walk away with heartfelt, timeless portraits of these earliest days together—images you’ll treasure for a lifetime.