My 40 sqm photo studio is centrally located in Orange County, with multiple setups to accommodate specific backdrops. As your newborn photographer in Orange County, I’m also more than happy to take beautiful shots of your baby at your preferred location. However, my studio offers your baby safety, comfort, lighting, and an overall controlled environment optimal for newborn photography that ensures the best shots.

Rest assured that with my experience, your newborn baby will be calm and comfortable throughout the photography session. If they cry or become fussy, I’ve picked up quite a few tricks to soothe them and understand what’s bothering them.

Comfortable and Controlled Setting

Studio lighting, noise, temperature, and safety conditions are ideal for newborn baby photography in the studio. We can discuss the space and conditions required for a successful home session as well.

If you’re worried your baby might cry in a new setting, it’s ok! That’s how babies communicate. During the session, I’ll create a soothing environment and do my best to make your little one smile and giggle with my calming and motherly nature.

I love spending the first few minutes of every session introducing myself to the baby and getting to know them. Taking this time to allow the baby to become familiar with me, makes it easier to handle any need for a bit of extra soothing, rather than me handing them over to you each time they cry. But of course, you can take your baby yourself when it’s time to change or feed during the photography session.

This largely depends on your newborn baby’s mood, temperament, health condition, and more. Not all babies will do every pose you see on Pinterest, but if your baby’s mood and comfort allows it, we can definitely recreate your Pinterest photo ideas – as long as they are considered safe newborn poses. I do always let you know if a particular pose you’ve seen has safety risks. I am happy to explain those, but I will never knowingly put a baby in danger for sake of a photo.

Selections form My Portfolio

Additionally, I have my photography portfolio with tried-and-tested poses for babies. You can call me in advance if you wish to decide on some poses for a newborn baby photography session together, however most sessions I give space for the baby to show me how they are most comfortable, leading the way while I fine tune positions of comfort.
I recommend sitting together for a styling session, so we can discuss all the prerequisites for a successful newborn baby photography session in Orange County. You can choose the kind of props and outfits preferred, and considering my extensive collection, I’m sure you’ll find the perfect look for your baby.

Babies Lead the Way

But do keep in mind that babies are unpredictable. So, even though I have a few tricks up my sleeve, sometimes the baby may not be in the mood to replicate the poses you want (your baby calls the shots!).
In most cases, I prefer making your baby pose naturally by gently guiding their little body into adorable postures. The most common and comfortable poses for newborn babies are on their stomachs, backs, and sides. Hence, I try sticking to these three and incorporate subtle changes with props, lighting, and the overall composition.

Safety Certification

Furthermore, as a safety certified photographer and one of the top newborn photographers in Orange County, your baby’s safety is my priority. So, the studio will have no risky posing or unsafe props, and at times your assistance may be required for a few moments to help me ensure the utmost safety for your baby.

All-in-all, when you choose Jennifer McNeil Photography, know that you’re opting for an expert newborn photographer in Orange County and that your child is in good hands!

As per my experience, newborn baby photos are best taken within 1-3 weeks of birth. This is because the newborn baby has not been out of the womb for long, so it’s easier for us to guide them into adorable, curled-up poses!

Moreover, during this period, babies tend to sleep for the majority of the day and do not react much, making it ideal for the newborn baby photographer to create magical images. For this reason, I recommend booking early, during your pregnancy, or right after the newborn baby arrives. In fact, most clients prefer booking a newborn baby photography session during their second or third trimester.

We choose the actual session date as soon as your baby arrives, but having your due date on the calendar allows me to ensure availability, and I can accommodate and early or late deliver without any issue.

Baby is Already Here?

If your baby has been born, then you can still schedule a newborn  session. If your baby is older, the infant will obviously be more alert and reactive, but we can still work it out, and the final result will undoubtedly be picture-perfect!

Yes, I have hundreds of props, curated clothing items, and baby wraps for you to choose from. My collection includes blankets, wraps, floor drops, hats, clothing, diaper covers, baskets, boxes, toys, lovies and other decorative pieces in different colors. All of these were carefully selected to ensure optimum comfort and cuteness!

Note that these props are available for clients that opt for a full session of newborn baby photography at the studio. On the other hand, for on-location photo shoots, I can carry suitable props and clothing according to the styling and theme of the session. However, if there is a particular piece of clothing or prop you’d like us to use, feel free to bring it with you!

Clothing and Wraps for Newborns

I prefer using minimum clothing, relying on a variety of swaddle wrap techniques.  Also, we can remove the wraps during the session so we can see their cute little features! But if you have something special in mind and want the baby to be fully dressed, we can plan it together.

Your trusted newborn photographer in Orange County is here to plan and curate the baby photography session exactly according to your preferences and requirements.

In my experience as a newborn photographer in Orange County, a session may take anywhere between 2-4 hours, considering the backdrop, prop, and outfit changes. This also varies according to your baby’s moods, so the 2-4 hour estimate includes the time taken for feeding and soothing.

I recommend keeping the baby awake for 1-2 hours before the photography session. This helps ensure they’re sleepy enough once you reach the studio, and the photography session can take place with ease.

Avoid Gassy Bellies

Additionally, if you breastfeed the baby, I suggest being mindful of the foods you consume in the days prior to the session. Since some foods are said to pass through milk and result in your child feeling uncomfortable or fussy, it is best to avoid spicy food, or gas producing foods like broccoli.

Further, the newborn baby photography session may take even longer if you want us to work with multiple props or unique outfits following a particular theme.

Once the photography session is over, I will need some more time to edit the newborn baby photos. The duration for this will depend on the number of baby photos that need to be retouched. I want to ensure each and every photo comes out beautifully and enhanced to your liking.

Considering all of these factors for the photography session, I recommend carrying extra diapers, baby wipes, a pacifier, and enough bottled breast milk or formula milk. For parents who want to be photographed with the baby, it is best to carry your makeup, accessories, and a couple of outfit changes unless you are utilizing the gowns in the studio and/or adding professional hair and makeup .

Other Things to Consider

Lastly, if your older kids want to be a part of the newborn baby photography session, they are more than welcome! For this, I suggest carrying their outfits, favorite snacks, and a source of non digital entertainment like a book or puzzle. I also have a small basket of toys for their enjoyment..

To ensure 100% certainty among the clients, I invite them for an in-person review session of their newborn baby photos. This allows us to work together, select the best shots, and design the final product to blend well with your existing home decór. Moreover, if you’d like to purchase digital copies of the newborn baby photos, I can provide them on the same day of your review appointment.