The first few weeks with your newborn are filled with love, wonder, and tiny, fleeting moments. When you look back at your newborn photos, I want you to remember exactly how it felt — the little fingers wrapped around yours, the soft yawns, and the quiet connection that fills your home.
As a newborn photographer in Utrecht, Culemborg, and the surrounding area, I focus on relaxed, natural sessions that capture your family as you truly are. Here’s what you can expect from your in-home newborn session and how to prepare for beautiful, light-filled photos.
1. The Day of the Session
When I arrive, I’ll take a few minutes to walk through your home and find the best spots for photos. I work mainly in rooms with soft, natural light — usually the main bedroom and the baby’s nursery. These spaces provide a cozy, meaningful backdrop for your images.
You absolutely don’t need to clean your entire house before I arrive. We only use a few small areas, and we can quickly tidy anything that will be in the frame. However, clear bedside tables and a neutral, plain duvet cover make a big difference for creating a clean, timeless look in your bedroom photos.
In the nursery, I’ll capture both wide shots and close-up details — the crib, changing table, and little decorations that tell your baby’s story.
2. Your Baby: Perfect Just as They Are
Your baby doesn’t need to “perform” or fit any expectations. Whether they’re awake, asleep, calm, or fussy, every moment is part of your story. I don’t place babies in unnatural poses or force them to sleep; instead, I gently follow their lead to capture natural, comfortable images.
I recommend dressing your baby in a simple, well-fitting onesie with no text or graphics.
As a second option, a knitted onesie or matching outfit in a neutral or soft colour (like beige, cream, light grey, or muted pastel tones) can also look lovely and add a bit of texture without being distracting.
We can also use a few neutral swaddle blankets — soft tones like beige, cream, or muted pastels photograph beautifully.
Try to feed your baby about 15 minutes before I arrive, so they feel content and settled. Newborn sessions can take a little time, and that’s completely fine. We move at your baby’s pace.
3. Creating a Calm and Comfortable Space
Warmth and light make all the difference. Before I arrive, turn up the heat slightly so your baby feels cozy, especially if we do any photos with less clothing.
Please open the curtains wide and let in as much natural light as possible — bright, airy light helps create the soft, clean look you see in my portfolio.
For the master bedroom, I recommend a light, neutral, wrinkle-free duvet cover in shades like white, beige, or cream. Avoid bold prints or dark colours, as they can draw attention away from your baby. A calm, neutral space keeps the focus exactly where it should be — on your family.
4. Including Siblings
Welcoming a new baby is a big moment for older siblings, too. I always start with family and sibling photos first, while their energy and excitement are at their best.
Please don’t worry if your toddler doesn’t want to sit still — I work in a relaxed, playful way, letting children lead and capturing genuine moments. It helps to tell them beforehand that a friendly photographer is coming to take photos of your family, so they know what to expect.
For siblings, simple, neutral clothing works best. Avoid busy prints, logos, or bright colours. Coordinating outfits in similar tones — for example, whites, beige, soft blues, or blush — will keep your family’s look natural and cohesive.
5. What to Wear
Your clothing plays a big role in the overall mood of your photos. For a soft, timeless look, I recommend a neutral colour palette — think whites, creams, taupe, beige, soft grey, or muted pastels. These tones photograph beautifully and complement every skin tone.
Here are a few quick wardrobe tips:
- Stick to mostly neautrals and add 2–3 main colours. This helps your family’s outfits feel coordinated without matching exactly.
- Avoid logos, text, and busy prints. These draw attention away from your faces and can look distracting in photos.
- Choose comfort. Flowy dresses, linen shirts, or simple knits always look natural and relaxed.
- Bare feet photograph beautifully and keep your photos soft and intimate.
When in doubt, lay out everyone’s outfits together and check how they look side by side — if the tones feel calm and cohesive, you’re on the right track. You're also more than welcome to send me some and ideas, I'm happy to help!
6. The Details That Make a Difference
I focus on small, meaningful details: the way your baby’s fingers wrap around yours, their tiny toes, and the quiet moments of connection between you.
A few little preparations can help make your photos even more beautiful:
- Tidy the bedside tables and surfaces in the rooms we’ll use.
- Have a few neutral swaddle blankets ready.
- You’re welcome to include special personal items like a favourite fluffy toy, a knitted jersey, or a handmade blanket — these add a lovely, personal touch to your gallery.
- Keep hands moisturized and nails neat — they appear often in close-up shots.
- Remember to open the curtains wide before I arrive to let in plenty of light.
7. Relax and Enjoy
Your session is a calm, gentle experience — there’s no rush and no pressure for perfection. I’ll guide you through everything while allowing plenty of time for feeding, cuddling, and comforting your baby.
My goal as your newborn photographer in Utrecht and Culemborg is to capture the warmth and love in your home, just as it is right now. These early days go by so quickly — and your photos will become a way to hold onto them forever.
Final thought
Your newborn session isn’t about perfect poses or a spotless home. It’s about connection and the quiet joy of new beginnings. When you look back at these images years from now, you’ll remember exactly how it felt — the little sighs, the sleepy smiles, and the love that filled your home.
Your story is already beautiful. Let’s capture it together.
