Newborn photography that captures tender early moments, even if you don’t feel camera-ready. Timeless, heartfelt images for growing families.

Mom holding newborn baby against her chest during Baltimore lifestyle newborn photography session.

There is something undeniably magical about the first few weeks with a new baby. The tiny fingers that wrap around your thumb, the slow rise and fall of their breath as they sleep on your chest, the little squeaks and stretches that feel almost too precious to put into words. These are the fleeting details that define the newborn stage and the reason newborn photography has become such a meaningful experience for so many families.

As a Baltimore newborn photographer, I get a front-row seat to this incredible chapter. I see parents fall a little more in love as they study their baby’s features. I see siblings carefully tip-toe into their role as big brother or big sister. And I see moments that are so genuine and tender that they become the heart of a family’s story.

These are the moments worth preserving forever.

Why Newborn Photography Matters

Newborns change quickly, sometimes day to day. Their faces fill out, their hair falls out or grows in, their sleepy expressions shift, and suddenly your tiny newborn becomes a wide-eyed baby ready to explore the world. Even the sounds they make and their expressions change from day to day.

Newborn photography freezes this incredibly short window in time, giving you something to look back on long after the newborn clothes have been packed away.

And if you are reading this thinking, “I don’t know if I’m ready to be in photos right now,” you are not alone. Many new moms feel this way. The exhaustion, the healing, the not-quite-yourself feeling , it is all very real. But this is also the chapter where the raw, simple beauty of motherhood lives. You do not need to look perfect. You simply need to be present.

10 years from now your baby will never care what you were wearing or how tired you were. They will care that you were there and they got to see what their first weeks of life looked like.

For the Mom Who Doesn’t Feel Up to Pictures

It is completely normal to feel hesitant about being photographed so soon after giving birth. Most moms share the same worries:

“I don’t feel like myself yet.”

“I’m still healing.”

“I haven’t slept more than two hours.”

“My house is a mess.”

“I don’t want to be in photos at all , just the baby.”

If you have had these thoughts, please hear this with love: you deserve to be in these photos, exactly as you are.

Newborn photography is not about perfection. It is about connection.
It is about the way your baby melts into your chest.
It is about the way they calm the moment they hear your voice.
It is about the love that fills the room, even when you feel drained or overwhelmed.

And the truth is, you won’t look how you feel. Soft lighting, natural posing, and simple guidance create images that feel gentle and honest, not staged or forced. Most moms leave their session saying, “I’m so glad I did this. I actually look… peaceful.”

Lifestyle Newborn Photography vs. Posed Studio Photography

One of the most common questions new parents ask is, “What type of newborn photography is right for us?”
There are two main styles to consider:

Lifestyle Newborn Photography

Natural and relaxed posing

Focus on emotion and connection

Baby stays comfortable in your arms or in cozy swaddles

Captured in your home or in a natural, studio-style space

Images feel timeless and true to your family

Lifestyle newborn photography is ideal for moms who are not feeling camera-ready. It is gentle. It is simple. It lets the moments unfold naturally.

Posed Studio Newborn Photography

Baby is carefully positioned in wraps, baskets, or props

Session is done baby only

Highly styled and polished

Best for parents who love the classic curled-up newborn look

Both styles are beautiful. It just depends on what feels right for your family. I do grab a handful of baby only images when they are naturally posed in a basket but nothing overly posed or with a variety of props. I just think newborns look best in the arms of their family.

Most of my Baltimore families choose soft, emotive lifestyle newborn photography, which is especially perfect if you want the focus on your baby without the pressure to “perform” for the camera.

Newborn baby sleeping on a cream blanket during a lifestyle newborn photography session.

When to Book Your Newborn Photography Session

The best time to photograph newborns is typically between 5 and 14 days after birth. During this time, babies are still very sleepy and snug, which helps create those dreamy, peaceful images parents love.

Most families reserve their session during the second trimester. I hold your due date which is usually scheduled for 2 weeks after your due date. Once baby arrives we can adjust if needed.

If your baby is already here, you have not missed your chance. Beautiful newborn images are possible at any age, and older newborns bring more eye contact and personality.

What to Expect During Your Newborn Session

My goal with every newborn photography session is simple: to make it calm, smooth, and easy for you.

Here is what you can expect:

A warm and cozy environment perfect for soothing your baby

Gentle posing and natural transitions

Zero pressure on you to look or perform a certain way

Plenty of breaks for feeding, changing, and soothing

A gallery filled with soft and timeless images of your baby and your family

You do not need a spotless house. You do not need a full face of makeup. You do not need to look “put together.”

You just need to show up as you are.

What to Wear for Your Newborn Session

Soft, neutral tones photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your baby. Consider:

Cream

Beige

Soft gray

Blush

Sage

Flowy dresses and cozy sweaters are perfect because they are comfortable and flattering without feeling formal.

If you need help choosing outfits, I provide a full style guide and simple recommendations to make getting dressed stress-free. You can always use dresses and newborn outfits from my client closet as well!

Close-up of baby resting on mother’s shoulder during newborn photography session.

Capturing Your Family’s First Chapter

Newborn photography is more than pretty images. It is the beginning of your family’s story. It is the way your baby fits in your arms, the way your older child becomes a gentle helper, and the way your heart expands in ways you never imagined.

And if you are feeling unsure about being in photos, I promise:
You will be grateful you stepped in front of the camera.
Your children will be grateful too.
These are the memories they will look back on someday, long after these tiny days have passed.