Simple tips for a relaxed, natural session. The most important things are at the top.
Short on time?
If you only read one part of this guide, make it this one.
Send me a few photos
A short video or a few photos of the rooms and your chosen outfits, a few days before. That way we can plan everything in advance.
Keep outfits simple and soft
Neutral or pastel tones, no loud patterns or big logos. Coordinated, but not matching.
Clear the space a little
Put away distracting toys and pick a spot near a window. A plain wall or a simple sofa works beautifully.
Warm up the room for newborns
Your baby stays cosy during outfit changes and nappy-free moments.
Make it fun for the children
Talk about the session as a relaxed family activity, never as something where they “have to smile”.
Keep the essentials close
Wipes, snacks, drinks and spare clothes. Wipes are gold, whatever your child’s age.
Tell me about naps and feeds
Late morning or early afternoon often works best, and we can take breaks whenever you need.
Relax and enjoy it
Your home doesn’t need to be perfect and you don’t need to know how to pose. I’ll guide you gently.
You’ll get your online gallery within 2–3 weeks of the session.
Jump to: Your home · Outfits, hair & make-up · Children & babies · On the day · After the session · What to bring
Your home
For in-home sessions. Don’t worry, it doesn’t need to look like a show home.
After you’ve read through the guide, I believe you’ll have a good sense of whether your space will work. I also kindly ask you to send me a short video or a few photos of the rooms where we’ll be shooting, along with the outfits you’ve chosen for the session. This way everything can be carefully planned in advance, and you can feel confident that the session will run smoothly and at the highest standard.
Not at all. It’s not about a show home – it’s about your connection, your light, your space. A little clutter, a toy in the corner, a blanket casually draped – these can all add to the story. I’ll guide and frame everything beautifully, even if life is happening around us.
Yes, if you can, please remove any toys that might distract your little one – especially toddlers. It helps us build a calm connection, and your child won’t be tempted to wander off mid-shot. The fewer visual distractions, the easier it is to keep the focus on what matters most – your beautiful family.
Wherever possible, we’ll make use of natural window light – so a spot near a window is ideal. A plain wall also works beautifully, or we can use your sofa if the background is relatively simple.
If you have any wall decorations or framed photos behind where we’ll be shooting and you can take them down – brilliant! But if not, don’t worry – they’ll simply add to the authentic, lived-in feel of your home.
It’s also helpful to aim for a neutral colour palette in the space – better to hide something quickly than regret it later when it pops out in the final images.
A stool, armchair or sofa we can move easily is ideal. If your home feels a bit tight on space (especially with little ones running around – I completely get it!), just let me know.
I’m always happy to bring along a fabric backdrop that creates the look of soft, light curtains – perfect for a clean, timeless background without needing to rearrange your home.
Absolutely! The bed is a lovely, safe space for siblings to cuddle up with a new baby. If possible, use light bedding or throw over a neutral blanket (nothing too shiny or creased, please).
And of course – I’ll bring a few lovely blankets and wraps of my own that we can use as well.
Not a problem. Natural light is my first choice, but I always bring along a professional soft light just in case we need a little extra glow.
Cottages and older homes are full of charm – and while they might not be the brightest, they can still be perfect for cosy, light-filled images with the right set-up.
I love animals – so they’re welcome to join in if you’d like them in your photos! But if you’d prefer they weren’t part of the session, please make sure they’re settled in another space so we can work without interruptions.
What to wear
Keep it simple and soft. Choose neutral or pastel tones, avoid loud patterns or big logos. Aim to coordinate outfits across the family without going full-on matchy-matchy.
The goal is to feel comfortable, relaxed, and a little bit special – like your best everyday selves.
You can arrive in your comfiest shoes – just keep your photo-ready ones close by. It’s always better to have a few options with you (even if they stay in the car) than wish you’d brought that perfect pair.
Nothing fancy needed – natural and effortless always photographs beautifully. A quick brush-through, a bit of styling if you like, and bring any essentials like a hairbrush, clips or hairspray just in case.
If you’d like to prepare your make-up yourself, that is absolutely fine. Just keep in mind that make-up usually looks lighter on camera than it does in real life, so it’s worth applying it a little stronger than you normally would. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable and true to yourself — we don’t want you to feel unlike you. If you prefer, visiting a professional make-up artist can also be a great option, as it will give you extra confidence and a perfectly balanced look.
Yes. Make sure your hair does not cover your face during the photos. It’s also a good idea to bring a hair tie or a clip so we can quickly change your look if needed. For partners, visiting a barber a couple of days before the session is a great way to feel fresh and confident too.
Little ones
Try not to talk about the session as something formal or where they “have to smile.” Instead, frame it as a fun, relaxed family activity.
We’re here to capture connection, not perfection – and I’ll follow their energy gently, without pressure.
That’s completely okay – every child has off days. We’ll take it slowly, allow breaks, and go with the flow. No forced smiles or pressure – just gentle encouragement and patience. I’ve worked with lots of little ones and I know how to adapt.
Rather than asking children to “pose” or “smile”, we’ll focus on creating moments they can naturally engage with – whether it’s cuddles, tickles, story time or a little game.
If they’re shy, that’s okay. We’ll go slowly, gently, and with lots of patience. I follow their pace.
Absolutely. The session moves at your baby’s pace. Feeding, cuddles or nappy changes are a natural part of the day – we’ll take our time and keep things relaxed.
For newborn sessions, I’ll bring a selection of wraps, outfits, and gentle props to help us create some lightly posed shots. These are always done with care and comfort in mind – baby stays warm, safe and relaxed the whole time.
It’s also essential to warm up the room we’ll be shooting in so baby stays cosy during any outfit changes or nappy-free moments.
Of course. If you’d like certain combinations – mum and baby, dad and baby, or just baby alone – just let me know. This is your session, and I’m here to help you shape it around what matters most to you.
The session
We’ll tailor the session to the natural light in your home and your family’s rhythm. Late morning or early afternoon often works beautifully, but if your little one naps or feeds at a particular time – let’s work around that.
It depends on the package you’ve chosen, the number of people involved, and the age of the children. Newborn sessions tend to take a little longer, and that’s completely normal.
That said, I don’t work with a stopwatch – if you need a moment to change outfits, or if your little one needs a break to play and stay in a good mood, we’ll go with that. I always follow the natural flow of the session to make sure everyone feels comfortable and happy.
If we’ve planned any outdoor shots, I’ll keep an eye on the forecast and we’ll adjust if needed. A cosy indoor session can be just as magical.
That’s completely normal – most people do at first! Don’t worry, I’ll gently guide you throughout the session so you never feel lost or unsure. You don’t need to know how to pose – just focus on your connection with your loved ones, and I’ll take care of the rest.
Some of the most beautiful images come from quiet moments, not big smiles.
There’s no need for stiff or formal posing. I’ll offer light direction to help you feel relaxed, but the goal is always natural movement and genuine connection.
Hold hands, cuddle, walk slowly together, play with your child – these simple actions create authentic and timeless photos. I’ll guide you with small prompts, not instructions.
This one comes up a lot! I’ll gently guide you – whether it’s tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, holding your partner’s hand, or cuddling your little one.
Connection is everything, and hands play a beautiful role in that. You’ll find that once we start, it all begins to feel natural.
If it helps you feel more confident – absolutely! You’re welcome to create a little mood board or save a few images you love (Pinterest is great for this).
It’s a helpful way for us to make sure we’re on the same page, but don’t feel pressured to replicate anything exactly. Your photos will be unique to you.
The most important thing is to give yourself permission to enjoy the moment. You don’t need to be perfect – just present.
Plan ahead so you’re not rushing, dress in a way that feels comfortable, and let go of any expectations. This is about capturing love, not achieving perfection.
Simple – relax and enjoy the moment. The best photos happen when you’re just being yourselves. I’ll guide you gently so you never feel lost, but I promise – the most beautiful images are born from natural connection and honest emotion.
Yes, please do! If there’s a particular look or moment you’d love to capture, feel free to share your ideas or inspiration ahead of the session. It’s your story – and I want you to feel seen in the final images.
Wipes are gold, no matter your child’s age! A few snacks, drinks, favourite toys or spare clothes can also come in handy, especially for younger ones.
Afterwards
You’ll get access to your online gallery within 2–3 weeks after the session. If you need a few images sooner for a gift or special occasion – let me know, and I’ll do my best to help.
I always edit images gently and naturally. If there’s something that really bothers you – like a mark on the wall or a stray item – just mention it, and I’ll see what can be done in post-editing.
I don’t offer major retouching of appearances – my goal is always to celebrate your natural beauty and the real moments.
Yes! Once you’ve received your gallery, you’ll have the option to order prints, albums, and keepsakes. I’m happy to advise on choices – or even design an album for you. See all albums, prints and extras.
Checklist
Pick what suits your session. Nobody needs all of it.