Melissa Rasmussen

I promise I'm not going to make you stare at my camera for three straight hours. And your baby definitely isn't going to be posing for three straight hours. In fact, a newborn photography session looks a lot less like a perfectly timed photo shoot and a lot more like... life with a newborn. So, if you're wondering what actually happens during a newborn photography session, here's a little behind-the-scenes look at what those three hours might look like.

Worried your baby won't sleep during their newborn session? Take a deep breath, Mama. Your baby doesn't have to sleep the entire time for you to get beautiful photos. This guide covers what happens when baby is wide awake, what to do if they cry, how to help them settle, and why an awake baby can actually make for some of the sweetest images. Plus, learn why an in-home newborn session can make the whole experience a little easier.

As a Phoenix newborn photographer (and a mom of five myself), I've helped hundreds of families capture those sweet first days with their new baby. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know so you can stop stressing and start looking forward to your session.