Pet photographer,
Somerset

If it’s sleepy, snuggly newborn photos that you’d like, the best time to capture these is between 7 and 14 days old. This is also the best age to photograph the tiny details, like eyelashes, lips and toes. But, given my approach to newborn photography, I place no limit on the baby’s age.

I only schedule a maximum of two due dates per week, to ensure that I can accommodate babies around their actual delivery dates. So, I’d recommend booking your shoot after your 20-week scan. This also allows time for us to meet in advance, and for me to familiarise myself with your home.

A couple of weeks before your shoot, I’ll send you a digital guide on how to get ready for it. This will include advice on outfits, preparing your home, and readying your baby for the session.

The benefits of an at-home newborn shoot are numerous. From a practical perspective, it saves you the challenge of leaving the house. You can also ensure that your house is warm enough for any unclothed shots that you may like of your baby. Then there’s the advantage of having toys at hand for young siblings, and snacks and refreshments for anyone who wants them. And, if your baby needs changing or feeding, everything you need will be right there. At-home shoots are also much more relaxed, which helps me to capture more natural shots of your family’s interactions.

I’ll usually only use one or two rooms (often the master bedroom and living room), so you certainly won’t need to clean the house from top to bottom. Where possible, I’ll carry out a pre-shoot consultation at your house. Among other things, this will give me a chance to get a feel for the layout of your house, and where the light falls. That way, you should know in advance which rooms I’m likely to use on the day.

Usually, newborn shoots take around two hours. This allows time to feed and settle your baby, change their outfit as required, and drink as many cups of tea as you’d like! It’s important to me that your shoot feels relaxed and unrushed. That’s why we’ll be led by your baby, without clock-watching.

In my experience, mid-morning is the ideal time to carry out a newborn shoot. Babies are often most settled at this time of day, and it allows time for everyone to have breakfast beforehand. Usually, we’ll finish in time for lunch, and you can have the rest of the day to yourselves. If, when your baby arrives, it would suit you to have the shoot at a different time of day, that’s no problem. Yours will be the only session of the day, so we can move it around as necessary - subject to the availability of natural light.

My photo shoots usually take place in Somerset, Devon and West Dorset. I’m happy to travel further, though – I simply charge mileage at 45p a mile for shoots beyond a 30-mile radius of Ilminster.