Taylor Goddard Photography

Things I do for every newborn session that you might not “see” if I didn’t point them out…

As a newborn photographer, there is so much happening behind the scenes before I ever press the shutter.

Here are a few things I do for every newborn session:

1. Warm the room before baby arrives so they’re comfortable and sleepy.
2. Sanitize all wraps, blankets, and props between sessions.
3. Adjust my lighting based on the time of day and the baby’s skin tone.
4. Build and smooth my beanbag setup to create a safe, supportive surface for baby.
5. Watch for little details like fingers, toes, clothing wrinkles, and loose hairs.
6. Follow baby’s cues the entire session—feeding, soothing, and cuddle breaks are always welcome.
7. Keep safety as my top priority and never force a pose baby isn’t naturally comfortable in.
8. Take my time. Some of the sweetest images happen in the quiet moments between poses.
9. Guide parents every step of the way so they never have to wonder what to do with their hands or where to stand.
10. Photograph your baby with the future in mind—these images aren’t just for today, they’re for years from now.

Because newborn sessions are about so much more than pretty photos. They’re about creating a calm, safe space to preserve the tiniest details before they change.