What to Expect During Newborn Photos in Edmonton

If you’re planning your newborn photos in Edmonton, it’s completely normal to wonder what the actual session will feel like. You've done the research and likely already:

• Chosen and booked your newborn photographer, carefully considering the timing.

• Decided what style of newborn session you want: at-home lifestyle, in-studio lifestyle, or in-studio posed (if you need inspiration for which style is right for you, check out the newborn gallery).

• Received your custom Christy Wells Photography newborn prep guide, and you have gone over all the tips on how to prepare for your newborn session.

  
  

But many parents still ask: "What actually happens during a newborn photo session?" The short answer: it’s slow, flexible, and completely centred around your baby. Let’s walk through what you can expect at each stage of your newborn photos in Edmonton.

Creating a Calm and Safe Experience

One of the most important elements of any photo session has little to do with photos and rather with creating a safe space for you and your family. It is important to me that you trust me. That means you have full consent over anything we do, from poses to session flow, and you can interject and change your mind at any time. This is the part where our relationship becomes important in the process, and our open communication is vital. If baby has older siblings, part of this process will include me spending time building my relationship with them to earn their trust as well.

Throughout your session, I will:

• Check in with you

• Monitor baby's cues and let them guide the session

Before Your Newborn Photos in Edmonton

The first thing to know is that newborn sessions are all about patience and comfort. Babies are delicate and unpredictable, so the pace of the session will be gentle and slow. This does not change whether I come to your home or you come to my studio.

Before the session, it’s a good idea to feed and change your baby so they’re calm and comfortable. Dress your little one in simple clothing, or bring a few outfit options if you want some variety. As a photographer, I have a carefully curated collection of soft wraps, blankets, and props to create cozy and adorable setups, so you often don't have to bring much to your session and can keep things simple. If we are in your home, I often bring a small selection of wraps, but we will often focus more on using elements in your home.

What Happens During a Session in the Studio

When you arrive at my home-based studio, the first thing I want to happen is for you to feel comfortable, like you are part of the family. You can park right on the driveway, and once I welcome you in, I will take you upstairs to the studio. The studio is heated a little extra, so it is warm and cozy with white noise playing. This helps create a relaxed atmosphere and keep baby safe. I typically have you feed baby upon arrival so they are nice and full and sleepy.

Your newborn photo session will typically last between 2 and 3 hours. This might seem long, but it allows plenty of time for feeding breaks, soothing, and capturing those perfect sleepy poses. I always jokingly say that baby is our boss and gets to set the pace and the order of the way the session plays out. This means the flow of the session is often dependent on them. For example, if they are awake at the start of their session, we often work with family or siblings first, compared to if they are asleep first, I might start photographing them on their own.

When I'm working with baby on their own, you can relax and watch the process as we create magic. If older siblings are coming to the studio, normally I try to start with family and sibling photos, that way if needed, big sister or brother can leave with a parent for a while, as sometimes staying in the studio for the entire photo shoot can be challenging for them.

At the end of the session, you simply get to leave, and I take care of all the cleanup!

Things for You to Bring to the Edmonton Studio:

• For baby: An extra change of clothes, bottles/formula, pacifier, and any special mementos you would like included.

• For Parents: Something to relax with, for parents, like a book, maybe a crochet project, or your phone.

• For Siblings: Extra change of clothes for photos, non-messy snacks, and things to entertain them while they are waiting for their turn during photos. We do have a library of books as well as a few toys to play with.

• For All of You: Snacks, water or drinks of choice. We do offer a selection of tea in the studio.

What Happens During a Session in Your Home

Before I arrive, I ask that you turn your heat up a little more than normal, or turn down your A/C if it is summer time, so that your home will be warm and cozy. This will help your new little one to sleep a little more easily as I photograph them. I will arrive at your home based on the time we determined in advance. I recommend that you try to time and feed baby as close to my scheduled arrival time as possible so they are ready to go.

Typically, once I arrive, I have one of your take me on a little tour of your house, and rooms like the nursery, parents' room, and family rooms. This is mainly so I can evaluate lighting and map out the flow of our session. My number one rule is do not stress yourself out cleaning the house in advance of my arrival. You just had a baby! I am really good at moving things around to make things work, but don't worry, I will also put everything back.

When in your home session flow, family photos to baby-only photos will also be determined by baby and their needs. Sessions can also last 2-3 hours, but being in your home, there is lots of time for snack breaks or play breaks for older siblings.

Things I Bring to Your At-Home Session:

• White noise machine

• Small selection of neutral wraps

• My camera and myself

What Happens After Your Newborn Photo Session

After your newborn session is over is where the behind-the-scenes magic begins! The process that photographers call culling and then editing. This part does take time, and it is a few weeks before your gallery is ready. Everything you see in your final gallery is professionally edited with care. Once your password-protected gallery is ready, you will receive an email to view your photos and make your selections. I'm here to answer questions, make recommendations, and support you through this process as well.

A Final Note

Newborn photo sessions aren’t about perfection.

They’re about:

• slowing down

• adjusting expectations

• and capturing this fleeting stage as it really is

If you’re looking for newborn photos in Edmonton that feel calm, connected, and true to your family, this experience is designed for you. And I’d love to be part of it.