What I Do
What happens if my baby won’t sleep?
One of the most common concerns parents have before their newborn photoshoot is: “What happens if my baby won’t sleep?”
Please don’t worry your baby does not need to sleep through the entire session for us to create a beautiful gallery. Every newborn is different. Some babies fall into a deep sleep quickly, while others are wide awake, curious or need extra time and cuddles to settle.
After photographing newborn babies on the Gold Coast since 2014, I have plenty of patience and experience adapting sessions to suit each baby. We will always follow your baby’s cues and work at their pace.
Awake Newborn Photos Are So Beautiful!
If your baby is awake but calm and content, we can still capture plenty of beautiful newborn photographs.
Awake babies often look directly towards the camera, allowing us to capture their bright eyes, expressions and developing personality. We may even catch a little smile, yawn or one of those funny newborn expressions that make your gallery completely unique.
Your baby does not need to be asleep for every photograph. Some of the most meaningful images can come from those moments when they are quietly looking around and taking everything in.
We Usually Begin With a Feed and Wrapping
I usually begin the session by wrapping your baby and allowing time for a full feed. A full tummy, combined with the secure feeling of being wrapped, will often help a baby relax and gradually drift into a deeper sleep.
We generally begin with the prop photographs while your baby is fully wrapped.
This gives us the opportunity to create a beautiful selection of images while helping your baby feel warm, secure and comfortable.
If your baby remains wide awake, having their arms safely contained within the wrap can help them stay calm. They can look around without their natural startle reflex disturbing them, often giving us beautiful eye contact as they slowly begin drifting off to sleep.
What Happens When We Remove the Wrap?
If your baby remains alert after we remove the wrap, I can dress them in one of the sweet little outfits available in the studio. This allows them to wriggle and move naturally while keeping them covered, comfortable and looking adorable.
We can also incorporate a parent’s hands to gently hold and support parts of your baby’s body. This adds a beautiful sense of connection and helps show just how tiny your newborn is in your hands.
If your baby is happy and alert, we can try a variety of poses and setups. I will look for opportunities to capture eye contact between you and your baby, natural interaction and all the little details that show their personality.
Newborn photography Questions
What If My Baby Is Unsettled?
If your baby is a little unsettled, I will usually keep more of the session wrapped. Wrapping helps many babies feel safe and secure, while still allowing us to create a varied and beautiful gallery using different props, colours, angles and compositions.
We can pause whenever your baby needs another feed, cuddle, nappy change or time to settle. These breaks are a completely normal part of newborn photography and are already allowed for within your session.
You never need to feel embarrassed or apologise if your baby cries. Crying is simply how newborns communicate. They may be hungry, windy, overtired or simply need the comfort of Mum or Dad.
Will We Still Get the Classic Newborn Poses?
Many newborn poses can still be created when a baby is awake, calm and comfortable. However, certain classic poses require a baby to be deeply asleep and completely relaxed.
For example, a pose such as the froggy pose would not be attempted unless your baby was very sleepy and settled. Your baby’s comfort and safety will always be more important than achieving a particular pose.
Every gallery is slightly different because every baby is different. Rather than forcing a pose that does not suit your baby on the day, I will adjust the session and choose setups that work beautifully for their mood and comfort level.
Beautiful Newborn Photos Awake or Asleep
Your baby does not need to behave in a particular way or sleep perfectly for their newborn photoshoot to be successful.
Whether your baby sleeps deeply, looks straight into the camera or spends most of the session safely wrapped, we can still create a beautiful gallery filled with connection, personality and all the tiny details you want to remember.
These photographs are not about having a “perfect” baby. They are about preserving your baby exactly as they are during this incredibly short and special stage.
Your Newborn Photo shoot Is Never Rushed
There is no expectation for your baby to arrive asleep or remain asleep throughout the entire photoshoot.
The goal is not to rush through a fixed list of poses. It is to create a calm and enjoyable experience while capturing beautiful photographs of your baby exactly as they are.
I will adapt the flow of the session depending on whether your baby is sleepy, awake and content, or in need of a little extra comfort. There is always more than one way to create meaningful newborn portraits.
Book Your Gold Coast Newborn Photoshoot before baby arrives
If you are expecting a baby and would love relaxed, timeless newborn photography, I would love to welcome your family into my Varsity Lakes studio.
The best time to photograph a very sleepy newborn is usually within the first two weeks after birth. This is why booking your newborn photoshoot during pregnancy is so importantit allows me to reserve availability around your due date and gives you plenty of time to organise everything before your baby arrives.
Once your little one is born, we will touch base and confirm the exact session date within that two-week window. Your due date will already be noted in my calendar, so your session will be planned for even though we won’t know the exact date until your baby arrives.
Get in touch to learn more about the newborn photography experience or reserve a place for your baby.