Consider this your insider’s guide to newborn photography sessions in the San Francisco Bay Area: when to book, what to wear, what to actually expect, and one thing most photographers never bring up.
Because if you just had a baby, or you’re about to, you’re probably researching ALL THE THINGS, including how to find a newborn photographer. Well, rest assured. I’ve got both sides of the Bay Bridge covered for my families in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda.
I’ve been working as a San Francisco newborn photographer and family filmmaker for nearly a decade.. And I wrote this guide because I want you to feel three things before you close this tab: seen, relieved, and maybe a little inspired.
This season is beautiful and chaotic and gone before you fully arrive in it. Let’s make sure you have something real to hold onto.
When Should You Schedule Your Newborn Session?
Most photographers will tell you the magic window is 5–14 days after birth. And sure, that’s when you get those sleepy, curled-up portraits. But I photograph newborns up to three months because I know what those early weeks actually look like. You’re running on no sleep. You’re figuring out feeding. Booking a photographer is not at the top of your list, and it shouldn’t have to be.
That said, if you can reach out before baby arrives, do it. More likely than not, you will not have the bandwidth to think about this once they’re here. Think of it less as booking and more as penciling in a session date. There is a little wiggle around in the calendar and as we near your session date, we’ll adjust around whatever your schedule looks like. And if you’re waiting for the perfect time? It’s not coming. This season is beautifully chaotic by design, and that’s exactly what makes it worth documenting.
And while we’re talking about timing — if you haven’t already, consider booking a maternity session before baby arrives. Not just to document the bump, but to capture who you are right now: the couple, the anticipation, the quiet ordinary moments that are about to change forever. It’s something you’ll be glad you didn’t skip. Learn more about maternity sessions here.
What to Wear (And What to Stop Worrying About)
Keep it simple. Neutrals, soft tones, nothing too busy or logo-heavy. You don’t need to match perfectly. In fact, please don’t. Coordinating is lovely; looking like a family uniform catalog is not. Wear something you actually feel good in, because that comfort shows up in photos.
For baby, I’m a big fan of kimono-style tops or onesies. They snap at the side so nothing gets pulled over that precious little head. Simple, soft, easy. And if you’ve been eyeing those giant headbands and bows — I’d gently nudge you toward something simpler. Your baby’s head is already the most beautiful thing in the room.
For mama, think about easy access for breastfeeding — button-downs, wrap tops, or anything with a zipper work beautifully. You’ll thank yourself later.
Some of my absolute favorite newborn images are skin-to-skin, mama and baby, nothing between them but warmth. If you’re comfortable with it, I’ll always suggest it. Same goes for bathing photos. They are quietly, completely magical.
As for your house, please do not spend the morning cleaning for me. I am not your mother-in-law. I’m a mom who’s been through it. A lived-in home is a loved-in home, and that’s exactly the kind of backdrop I’m looking for.
Where We’ll Shoot: Your Home
All of my newborn sessions happen in your home, and that’s very much on purpose. Your home is where you’re most yourself. It’s where the light comes through your specific windows at your specific time of day. It’s where life is actually happening.
And here’s something most people don’t think about: the acoustics. The way your baby coos in your living room, the sounds of your household humming around her, that’s something I can only capture where you actually live. It becomes especially meaningful if you choose to add video. (More on that in a bit.)
One more thing I love about in-home sessions: they become a gift to your future self. That spot by the bedroom window where we photograph your newborn today? We can come back to it when they’re two, five, ten and watch, in the same frame, just how much they’ve grown.
How to Prepare (Spoiler: You Don’t Have to Do Much)
Let’s keep this simple, because you have enough on your plate.
Make sure your home is comfortably warm, especially if we’re doing skin-to-skin. That’s really it for baby prep. We work entirely around their schedule. If they need to eat, I capture it. If they need a diaper change, I capture it. If they just want to scream into the void for a few minutes, I capture that too. Nothing is scripted and nothing is rushed. The messy, unglamorous, completely real parts of this day are exactly what I’m here for.
For you: please do not try to look perfect. You just had a baby. Lower your expectations for how the day will go, in the absolute best way. And if you need a moment to breathe or eat something, take it. I’m receptive to whatever you need. Just know that when the light is doing something beautiful in that corner of your bedroom, I’m going to quietly let you know.
What to Expect on the Day
Newborn sessions typically run 1.5 to 2 hours, but there’s no clock on the wall and no next family waiting. It’s just us, your home, and whatever this day brings. Siblings are absolutely welcome. Their reaction to this new little human is part of the story. Same goes for your pets. (Honestly, the dog investigating the baby is often one of my favorite frames.)
A note I want every family to know: I take your baby’s health seriously. Newborns don’t have full immunity yet, and I don’t take that lightly. I’m fully vaccinated, I’ll mask if you prefer, and I’m mindful about avoiding large gatherings before your session. Just know that I show up with intention, for your family’s comfort and your baby’s safety.
For everything else about how I work during a session, how I move through your home, how I interact with your kids, what the whole experience actually feels like, this post covers it beautifully.
The One Thing Nobody Tells You to Consider
You came here looking for newborn photography advice. And I hope everything above actually helps. But before you go, there’s one more thing I want to mention, and I promise it’s not a sales pitch.
It’s video.
I know. It sounds like more. More bandwidth, more decisions, more everything when you’re already running on empty. But hear me out for just a second.
Photos will freeze this season beautifully. But they can’t capture the sound of your baby’s first coos. The way she wiggles her fingers while she sleeps. The specific laugh that makes your whole chest open up. Those things live in video, and they fade from memory faster than you think.
As a San Francisco newborn photographer who also films families, I started offering video because I know firsthand how time moves. My own kiddo is a teenager now. I know what it feels like to reach for a memory and find only the edges of it.
If you want to see what this actually looks like, what it feels like to watch your baby’s entire first year woven into a single film, I’d love for you to meet Lucy. Her story is one of my favorites I’ve ever had the honor of telling.
Read: Why I Chose Video for My Baby’s First Year — Lucy’s Story
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I schedule a newborn session?
I recommend reaching out during your second trimester so we can pencil in a flexible date before baby arrives. That said, I photograph newborns up to three months old, so if you’re already postpartum and just coming up for air, you haven’t missed it.
How long does a newborn session take?
Typically 1.5 to 2 hours, but there’s no hard stop. We go at baby’s pace.
What should we wear for a newborn photo session?
Keep it simple: neutrals and soft tones. For baby, kimono-style onesies are my favorite because nothing gets pulled over their head. And please, no giant bows. (I say this with love.)
Where do you photograph newborns in the Bay Area?
All of my newborn sessions are in-home throughout San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, and the greater East Bay.
Do you offer newborn videography in the Bay Area?
Yes, and it’s one of my favorite things to do. Learn more about Family Films here, or if you’re curious about what a newborn film actually looks and feels like, Lucy’s story is a good place to start.
How do I find a San Francisco newborn photographer? Look for someone whose work feels honest and whose approach is flexible enough to roll with the beautiful unpredictability of newborn life. A good San Francisco newborn photographer understands that babies don’t follow schedules, feeding happens mid-session, and the best moments are rarely the planned ones. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d love to connect.
Let’s Document This Season Together
If you’re expecting a baby, or you’re already in the thick of it somewhere in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, or anywhere across the East Bay, I’d love to hear from you. Newborn sessions are limited each year because each one deserves my full attention. So if this resonates, don’t wait too long.
