Everything You Need to Know About Newborn Photography: What to Expect, How to Plan, and What to Bring
At Cedar + Moss Studios, we know that welcoming a new baby into your life is a magical, fleeting moment. With 17 little ones between our team of six, our love for babies runs deeper than a pile of diapers at 3 AM! Capturing the pure, unfiltered essence of your newborn is our passion, and we’re honored to be part of these first memories. If you're considering a newborn session with us, here’s everything you need to know to make your experience as smooth and memorable as possible.
{Why Newborn Photography Matters}
The first 4 to 18 days of your baby’s life are magical. That’s when your little one is still curled up in those precious, sleepy poses, which is why we focus on this window for our newborn photography. At Cedar + Moss, our approach is minimalist—less is more, and we keep things natural, organic, and simple. With gentle posing and soft natural light, we capture those cozy, heartwarming moments that make your heart skip a beat.
{What to Expect from Your Session}
Our photography style is soft, natural, and calming. We use minimal props, focusing solely on your baby and the connection with your family. We shoot in neutral and organic tones to keep everything cohesive and timeless.
Our sessions are designed to be as relaxed as possible, allowing your baby to take the lead. We use soft, calming poses, and natural light to create beautiful, serene images.
{Relaxed, Baby-Led Approach}
Our sessions are stress-free and baby-led. We focus on capturing natural, authentic moments and use gentle, natural poses. If baby needs to feed or take a break, that’s completely fine! We’re here to accommodate.
{Natural Light}
We rely on soft, natural light to keep your images soft and bright. Studio sessions are scheduled when we have the best light: mornings and early afternoons for spring and summer, and mornings for fall and winter.
{Minimal Props}
We have a large selection of wraps and fabrics to create a timeless, organic look. We prefer to keep props to a minimum, but if you’ve collected anything special, feel free to bring it. Just know that we may not be able to use every item, as it might not fit with our natural style.
{Session Types and Pricing}
Simple Session: $425
- Baby Only , 1 Hour Session, 15 Digital Images (via download), In-Studio Only, 50% Non-refundable Retainer Fee Due at Booking
Full Session: $600
- Up to 2 Hours, Full Gallery of Digital Images (via download), In-Studio Only, Parents and Siblings Included, 50% Non-refundable Retainer Fee Due at Booking
In-Home Lifestyle Session: $650
- 1 Hour Session, Full Gallery of Digital Images (via download), Parents and Siblings Included, 50% Non-refundable Retainer Fee Due at Booking
- *Travel fee may apply if more than 15 miles from New Lenox Studio*
*Note: In-home sessions are only available with Katie or Erin. Please be aware that session lengths are approximate and can vary depending on the baby’s needs.*
{How to Book Your Session}
1. Email us with your due date to temporarily reserve your session.
2. Once baby is born, notify us so we can finalize the booking within the first 18 days.
3. Sign the contract and pay the 50% non-refundable retainer fee**.
4. Get excited for your session! We'll send you a prep guide to help you prepare.
{What to Bring and Prepare}
Studio Newborn Session Prep:
Dress baby in a white onesie (long or short sleeve) so we can start immediately without disturbing them.
No socks to avoid sock lines—diapers only during the session.
Bring a cozy blanket for in-between poses, plenty of milk (we love liquid gold in any form!), and a pacifier to soothe your baby if needed.
In-Home Lifestyle Session Prep:
Tidy up key rooms like the master bedroom, a couch area, and the baby’s nursery.
Use white bedding to reflect light and brighten the photos.
Warm up the house to keep your baby comfortable.
Don’t stress about sleep! Alert babies make for beautiful photos too, so don’t worry if your baby isn’t asleep the entire time
{Lifestyle Photography: What Does It Mean?}
Lifestyle photography is all about capturing authentic moments in your natural environment. There’s no over-the-top posing—just simple, beautiful moments of your family bonding with your new baby. We’ll use natural light and minimal posing to keep everything true to life.
{What If Baby Arrives Early or Late?}
Don’t worry, we plan around your baby’s unique schedule. If you go past your due date or deliver early, we’re flexible with your session date. Just let us know when baby arrives, and we’ll move forward from there!
{What Happens If Baby Won’t Settle?}
We’ve worked with many babies, and we’ve never met one that couldn’t settle! If your baby is fussy, we’ll work with them and give you breaks as needed. Most babies settle down after a feed, so if that happens, we’re happy to pause for a feed and resume once baby is calm.
{Our Policies}
Retainer Fee:
The 50% non-refundable retainer is required at the time of booking. If you need to reschedule, the fee can be transferred once, but we ask that you notify us at least 24 hours in advance.
Editing and Galleries:
We will hand-edit your images and share them via a password-protected online gallery within 2-3 weeks. You’ll have the ability to download your photos and share them with family and friends.
Storage and Sales:
All images will be purged 6 months after your session. We highly recommend you back up your images to ensure they’re saved. All sales are final, and we do not allow re-edits of the photos.
{Booking Early is Key}
Our calendar tends to fill up quickly, so we recommend booking your session in your second trimester. We only accept a limited number of newborn sessions each month, so it’s best to get on the calendar early to avoid disappointment.
We can’t wait to work with you and capture the pure magic of your newborn’s first days! Reach out to us today to schedule your session at Cedar + Moss Studios.
