Bringing home a newborn is overwhelming enough — preparing for your newborn photography session shouldn't add extra pressure. As a professional newborn photographer based in Fort Lauderdale, South Florida, I’m here to guide you through it all.

If you’re booked for a newborn session in Parkland, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Delray Beach, Margate, or anywhere in Broward County, these five easy tips will help you arrive relaxed, prepared, and ready to capture beautiful, timeless memories.

1. Book Early — Really Early

The best time to photograph newborns is within the first 5–14 days after birth. During this window, babies are sleepier, easier to pose, and still have those sweet, curly movements they had in the womb.

Because spots fill up quickly — especially for South Florida newborn photographers — it’s wise to book your session during your second trimester. This ensures your photographer can reserve space around your due date, with flexibility for early or late arrivals.

Pro Tip: When booking, ask about backup plans in case baby arrives early or needs extra hospital time.

2. Keep Baby Awake Before the Session

A sleepy baby = a smoother newborn session.

Try to keep your baby awake for at least 60–90 minutes before your scheduled start time. Give a bath, offer some tummy time, or interact gently. This helps encourage a deep sleep once you arrive at the studio.

In my Fort Lauderdale newborn studio, we design sessions around your baby's comfort — but a pre-session awake window can significantly improve posing and flow.

3. Dress Baby in Easy-to-Remove Clothing

When heading to your newborn photography session, dress baby in something simple like a zipper or snap-up onesie — no tight socks, hats, or layers.

The goal is to avoid waking or disturbing your little one when it’s time to undress for the session.

Pro Tip: Skip lotions or heavy products right before your session to prevent any shiny spots on your baby's delicate skin in photos.

4. Bring Essentials — But Keep It Light

You don’t need to pack the entire nursery! Most professional newborn photographers (especially those based in South Florida cities like Pompano Beach and Boca Raton) provide everything needed for the session, including:

• Wraps

• Headbands

• Bonnets

• Blankets

• Props

Just bring:

• Extra diapers

• A pacifier (even if baby doesn’t normally take one)

• Prepped bottles (if you’re bottle-feeding)

• Any sentimental items you'd like included (like a special blanket or family heirloom)

In my Broward County newborn sessions, we encourage bringing heirlooms — they make portraits even more meaningful!

5. Trust Your Photographer — You Hired Them for a Reason!

This is probably the biggest tip of all: relax and trust your photographer.A true professional knows how to soothe babies, pose them safely, and adapt if baby needs extra cuddles, feeding breaks, or diaper changes.

In my Fort Lauderdale newborn sessions, I allow plenty of time for feedings, snuggles, and pacing to baby’s natural rhythm. Rushing is never the goal — capturing beautiful, soulful images is.

Pro Tip: If you have any ideas or dreams for your session (like including siblings or specific color palettes), talk to your photographer ahead of time to collaborate.

Newborn Sessions Are About More Than Pictures — They're About Memories

The newborn stage is fleeting. It’s gone in the blink of an eye. Capturing your baby's first days through thoughtful, stress-free photography preserves memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

If you're looking for a newborn photographer, baby photographer, or milestone photographer in Fort Lauderdale, Parkland, Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, Margate, or anywhere across Broward County and South Florida, I’d love to create beautiful heirlooms for your family.

Your baby's story deserves to be told — let's document it with heart.

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