I’ve had clients walk through my studio door with a bag packed for every possible scenario. From several outfit options and backups to all the baby accessories. I’ve had parents show up and realize that somewhere between the hospital discharge and the sleep deprivation the special blanket they’d been saving for photos was still sitting on the dresser at home. One forgot the dress she’d been planning to wear. Another realized halfway through the drive over that they hadn’t eaten breakfast.

And almost every time? We figured it out.

Here’s what I want you to know before you start making a list: my studio is already stocked with most of what a newborn session needs. Wraps, props, posing setups, the soft neutral backdrops, it’s all here. And if you’re wondering what to wear, I’ve got that covered too. Head to What to Wear for Your Newborn Session for everything you need to know. You don’t need to pack like you’re preparing for anything other than getting yourself and your baby out the door. That alone, in those early days, is more than enough.

What My Studio Provides

Almost everything you’ll see in your gallery comes from what’s already here:

• Wraps, swaddles, and all posing materials
• Props and session setups
• Individually wrapped pacifiers for use during the session (yours to take home)
• Snacks and drinks for you because you need to eat
• Dresses for mom, if you forgot yours or just want options

I’ve spent years making sure this studio is ready for whatever a session needs so you  just have to show up.

What to Actually Bring

The real list is short. Here’s what genuinely matters:

Feeding Supplies

Whether you’re nursing or bottle-feeding, bring what you need to feed your baby comfortably during the session. A well-fed baby is a sleepy baby, and a sleepy baby makes for a calm session and better photos. We pause whenever baby needs to eat, and there’s no rush to get back to it. Some of the best sessions have a natural rhythm of feed, settle, shoot, repeat, and that’s completely fine. If you’re nursing, there’s a private room just off the shooting area if you’d like it. Also, you’re more than welcome to nurse anywhere in the studio. Whatever works best for you.

Anything Sentimental or Meaningful

This is the one thing I can’t replicate: the heirloom blanket passed down from a grandparent, the tiny outfit that belonged to you or your partner as a newborn, the special hat someone knitted before the baby arrived. If something has meaning to your family, bring it. These are the details that make your gallery feel like yours.

I’ve had several families bring in the needles from their IVF journey to include in photos with their baby. It was a quiet, powerful choice, and the images are some of the most meaningful I’ve ever made. That baby was so wanted, and those needles told the whole story without a single word. I think about those sessions often. Bring whatever tells your story.

Siblings’ Comfort Items and Snacks

If an older child is joining us for part of the session, bring whatever helps them feel settled, a small snack, a favorite toy, something familiar. We’ll get the sibling photos taken early while everyone is fresh, and having a little backup doesn’t hurt.

A Few Practical Reminders

• Eat before you come. I have snacks here, but a real meal beforehand makes a difference.
• Dress your baby in something easy to take on and off, a loose sleeper or zip-up is ideal.
• Plan to relax and settle in. There’s no rushing here. We move at baby’s pace.  
• Bring a comfortable outfit to change into after parent photos are done, something you can relax in for the rest of the session.
• The studio is kept warm for baby’s comfort. Plan to dress in easy-to-remove layers so you stay comfortable too.

The newborn stage moves fast enough without you spending the morning before your session double-checking a packing list. Bring the things that matter to your family, feed yourself, and leave the rest to me.

Have a question about something specific, a prop you want to include or a detail you’re not sure about, reach out. I’m happy to talk through anything before your session so you can show up and just be present.