How to Prepare for Your Newborn Session: A Stress-Free Guide for New Moms
How to Prepare for Your Newborn Session
A Stress-Free Guide for New Moms
If you're preparing for your first newborn photography session — first of all, congratulations! This is such a special (and often sleep-deprived) season, and I’m so honored to help you preserve it.
Whether you're feeling super prepared or a little overwhelmed, here’s everything you need to know to walk into your session calm, confident, and excited to capture these fleeting moments.
🕰️ 1. Timing is Everything
We schedule your session within the first 5–14 days after birth — when babies are sleepiest and most flexible. Once you're booked, I’ll reserve a spot on my calendar around your due date and adjust as needed once baby arrives.
Tip: Don’t wait until baby is born to reach out — I only take a limited number of due dates each month.
🧺 2. What to Bring (and What Not To)
When you arrive at the studio, I want you to feel like you can exhale.
Here’s what I provide — and what you can leave at home:
You don’t need:
Pinterest-perfect props
A giant bag of baby clothes
Anything fancy or stressful
Just bring:
Baby (fed and ready to nap if possible)
A pacifier, if you’re using one
Bottles, formula, or snacks if needed
Any sentimental items you’d like to include (a swaddle, heirloom blanket, etc.)
Bonus: I have a full studio wardrobe for moms and babies with neutral, flattering pieces that photograph beautifully.
👗 3. What to Wear
Simple. Soft. Comfortable.
That’s the golden rule for what to wear to your newborn session.
Stick to neutral colors — ivory, beige, soft pastels, muted earth tones
Avoid logos, bright colors, or heavy patterns
Moms: flowy dresses and cozy knits are always a win (I’ve got options ready for you!)
Dads: plain tees, henleys, or light sweaters work great
Tip: Your hands and arms will be in many of the shots — keep nails clean and neutral if possible.
🧘♀️ 4. Relax — We’ve Got It
This may be the first time you’ve left the house with a new baby. That’s a big deal. So here’s my promise:
You are not expected to have it all together.
Crying babies, blowouts, feedings — it’s all normal, and all welcome. My sessions are baby-led and relaxed, with lots of time built in for cuddles, feeding, and soothing.
Your only job? Show up. Breathe. Be present. I’ll handle the rest.
✨ 5. Trust the Process
Every baby is different. Some sleep the whole session, others stay wide-eyed the entire time. Either way, we’ll capture beautiful, meaningful images of your baby exactly as they are.
What matters most? That you’ll walk away with memories you can hold — the little stretch, the fuzzy hair swirl, the way they curl into your chest.
Final Thoughts
Your newborn session shouldn’t feel like one more thing on your to-do list. It should feel like a pause — a sacred little pocket of time to soak in what’s real and raw and beautiful about these early days.
At Poppy Lea Photography, I’m here to make it effortless.
If you’re expecting in 2025, I’d love to create something truly special for your family.
📍 Based in San Juan Capistrano | Serving Orange County
📸 Booking newborn sessions through Fall 2025
💌 Inquire Now
When to Book Your Newborn Photography Session (And Why So Early Matters)
When to Book Your Newborn Photography Session
(And Why So Early Matters)
One of the most common questions I hear as a newborn photographer is:
“When should I book my session?”
The answer? Sooner than you might think — and here’s why.
📅 Book in Your Second Trimester (Yes, Really!)
The best time to reserve your newborn session is during your second trimester (around 20–28 weeks). I know — it may feel early when you’re still months away from meeting your baby! But booking ahead ensures we can:
Secure your spot on my limited monthly calendar
Pre-plan your session style and wardrobe
Create space for flexibility around your due date
Give you plenty of time to prep without pressure
✨ As a boutique photographer, I take a limited number of sessions per month to give each family the time and care they deserve — which means I often book up early.
💤 Why the First 14 Days Matter
The ideal time to photograph your newborn is during the first 5–14 days after birth.
During this window, babies are extra sleepy and curled up — perfect for those dreamy, peaceful portraits you love.
We can still capture beautiful images after that (especially with a baby-led approach), but that early window helps us create the soft, squishy magic everyone adores.
🧺 How to Prepare (Without Overthinking)
Once you’re booked, I’ll guide you every step of the way. Here’s what’s included when you work with Poppy Lea Photography:
A detailed prep guide (what to wear, bring & expect)
A curated studio wardrobe for mamas and babies
Access to timeless props and soft, neutral textures
A calm, supportive environment where your baby leads the session
I always tell parents: you just bring the baby. I’ll take care of the rest.
🌿 My Style: Timeless, Organic & Heartfelt
I specialize in natural newborn photography — soft colors, real connection, and an easygoing session flow. My goal isn’t just pretty pictures — it’s preserving the feeling of this sacred season for you to hold onto forever.
Whether you want a cozy in-studio session or relaxed lifestyle images at home, I’ll help you create a collection that feels true to your family.
Ready to Book?
If you're expecting a baby in 2025, now’s the perfect time to secure your spot.
📍 Based in San Juan Capistrano, I serve families across Orange County — from Dana Point to Laguna Beach and beyond.
✨ Let’s tell your story from the very beginning.
💌 Inquire Here
📆 Booking newborn sessions through Fall 2025
2025 Newborn Photography Trends & Tips for New Parents
As we step into 2025, the world of newborn photography is embracing a softer, more meaningful approach. At Poppy Lea Photography, we’ve seen parents leaning into timeless moments, natural textures, and more personalized experiences than ever before. Whether you’re preparing for your first session or looking to update your baby album, here are the top newborn trends and practical tips you’ll want to know.
🌿 1. Organic, Neutral Color Palettes
Gone are the days of flashy props and bright colors. This year, parents are falling in love with earthy tones and natural textures — think soft creams, muted greens, warm caramels, and cozy knits. These tones allow your baby to shine and create images that remain timeless for years to come.
Tip: When choosing your session wardrobe, stick with soft, neutral shades for both baby and parents. Simple is stunning.
📸 2. Lifestyle Meets Studio
There’s a growing trend toward blending lifestyle elements with studio control — curated settings that still feel real and relaxed. Poses are gentle, interactions are encouraged, and everything feels effortlessly beautiful.
Tip: Don’t worry about your baby “performing.” Some of the best images happen when you’re snuggling, nursing, or just soaking them in.
💛 3. Parent & Sibling Inclusion
In 2025, it's all about telling the family story. Including moms, dads, and siblings adds emotional depth to every gallery. And yes — you deserve to be in the frame too, even if you're running on coffee and no sleep.
Tip: Bring a cozy, camera-friendly outfit for yourself — we’ll handle the rest with natural posing and gentle direction.
🧺 4. Heirloom Products Are In
Digital galleries are convenient, but parents are returning to the power of printed artwork. From linen-bound albums to framed wall collections, investing in quality prints means your memories won’t live on a hard drive alone.
Tip: Ask about our curated heirloom collections — we design, print, and deliver pieces you’ll cherish forever.
💫 5. Baby-Led Posing
More photographers are embracing baby-led posing — where safety, comfort, and natural positioning come first. This creates images that are peaceful, pure, and truly your baby.
Tip: Sessions are typically scheduled within the first 5-14 days after birth for optimal sleepiness and flexibility, but we always work with your baby’s unique rhythm.
Bonus Tips for a Seamless Newborn Session
Schedule early! Booking in your second or early third trimester ensures a spot on our calendar.
Feed right before the session to help baby stay sleepy and content.
Relax — we’ve got it. The more calm and present you are, the more relaxed your baby will be too.
Ready to Create Your 2025 Newborn Story?
At Poppy Lea Photography, we specialize in natural, heart-centered newborn imagery for families across Orange County — from San Juan Capistrano to Dana Point and beyond. If you’re expecting in 2025, let’s chat and plan a session that feels like you.
📆 Now booking Spring & Summer due dates
📍 Studio in Southern California | In-home lifestyle sessions available
💌 Click here to inquire
Beach Play Dates || Dana Point Family Photographer
Summer is here and for us, that means a lot of time at the beach. Meet us there and play for a bit, you’ll leave sandy and tired but with happy kids and it’s good for your soul. Teach your kids to surf, build sand castles, explore tide pools (and hopefully find an octopus) with us!
BEACH PLAY DATES:
June 7th - 11am @ TStreet (San Clemente)
June 17th - 9am @ Doheny (Dana Point)
June 22nd - 9am @ Doheny (Dana Point)
July 7th - 10am @ SC Pier (San Clemente)
July 19th - 9am @ Doheny (Dana Point)
August 3rd - 9am @ Strands (Dana Point)
August 18th - 9am @ Baby Beach (Dana Point)
Text me at 949.444.1200 or DM on insta and I’ll let you know where we sitting! I cannot wait to spend the summer with all of you!
Dana Point Motherhood Photographer || Motherhood sessions at the field
Oh my! Can you say D R E A M Y?? These sessions are seriously some of the most dreamy sessions I’ve ever taken. The light, the set, the mamas, just all so perfect! These sessions sold out within 24 hours as per usual with petite sessions. I don’t offer many petite sessions a year so if you see them come available, grab one quick. A huge thank you goes out to Wildflower Floral in San Clemente. They made the beautiful custom florals for the baskets and the flower crown for the little girls. Seriously everything they touch is just gorgeous!
Every single one of these mamas have a place in my heart, I prayed for them that night and every time I edit their photos or post them somewhere. What an incredible thing to be able to pray over someone who doesn't know you’re doing it. It feels so pure. These mamas hearts are pure and it’s a privilege to photograph them.
Orange County Baby Photography || Bodie 9 Months
This sweet little face is one of my besties babies and I am lucky enough to watch him grow over the last year. Sweet, snuggly and always smiling and look at those cheeks!!
Today he turned ONE and I couldn’t be happier to celebrate with him. This session was done at my studio on a bright, chilly morning. A sweet milestone session like this should only take 30 minutes or less, for Bodie we got all the shots in 15 minutes because he’s a little champ.
This week we’ll do Bodie’s one year session too and I can’t wait to share those with you too.
I'm obsessed with this and I think you will be too || Orange County Shampoo Dealer
Did you know I have a cosmetology license and I’m moderately obsessed with beauty products? I’ve used almost every brand on the market and from the first time I tried Monat, I knew it was different. I’m also always peeping at those labels so when I saw that Monat was clean ingredients, I was all in. They also have incredible skincare and wellness products too. This week on Insta I shared with you guys that I am so excited to start working with Monat. Monat is the leading haircare company in the world, specializing in anti-aging haircare, skincare and wellness. I’m creating beautiful lives and I would love for you to join me.
I know what you’re thinking. I got suckered in. Believe me, I would have never guessed in a million years that I would be a part of Monat but I couldn’t be happier to take the leap. People DM’d me asking why I would join Monat when I already have a thriving photography business and I homeschool full time so I wanted to take a second to answer that. Am I busy? Yes! But have you ever just needed more?
Honestly I’ve been feeling this pull for more connection and I think this is just the way to do that. Entrepreneurship is lonely, y’all. I just needed something for me. Monat is that. Our team is so incredible and I have already grown so much within myself and my business. The other reason I joined is because really this makes me uncomfortable and I want to be uncomfortable. Yes you read that right.
Pushing past the uncomfortable is when you really grow as a person.
For far too long, I’ve held fear of failure and other people’s opinions in a constant loop in my head. Part of me is doing this to push past those fears. Which is why I started a personal insta too. Follow me there too >> @thelaurelherzog Something as simple as allowing myself to do this has opened up a new side of me. It’s wild how that works. The other day in the car I heard Natasha Bedingfield Unwritten. Guys I’ve heard that song a million times but it hit me different that day and I’ll never forget it…. Read the lyrics.
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
I’m not sure why my brain stopped to listen that day but I’m so grateful. If you are in the same boat, paralyzed my fear of failure or stuck doing the same thing every day but wanting more. This is your sign! This is your sign to join me in creating beautiful lives. If you’re not sure yet, take this free hair or skincare quiz and I send you a goodie pack full of samples. I promise you, this WILL change your life!
xo- laurel
Healthy Macro-Friendly Cookie Dough Yogurt | Dana Point, Orange County
Here is a long back story to get you to the good stuff. In early 2020 I tore my ACL while skiing in Brianhead, UT. So I didn’t work out basically at all in 2020.
In 2021 I felt weak and frail and got down to business. I also found Madeline Moves which is a weight lifting app that I LOVE. Not going to lie, I hate most cardio. I hate running and the stair master and unless I’m in a fun spin class, I hate cycle. So MM is perfect for me and I also learned so much about body composition. I’ve always thought I had to do cardio to loose fat but oh how I was wrong.
Madeline Moves does this fun month long challenge, called Tighter Together, a couple times a year and it’s just the push I needed to get my booty in gear. So in April 2021 I did my first TT. I LOVED it and the outcome! Starting 2022 with another TT was right up my alley. A huge portion of TT (and my life in general now) is counting macros. I don’t count them all year but whenever I do, I’m shocked at how much my eating habits are different than what I imagine. I am mostly vegetarian so I almost always need to up my protein and lower my fats. This dessert definitely has fats so I can’t have it every night, but if my fats are in check then this is my go to!
This Healthy Macro-Friendly Cookie Dough Yogurt is my go to dessert when I’m counting macros. It’s also easy to make and we ALWAYS have the ingredients on hand.
3/4 cup 0% Fage Greek Yogurt Plain
1tsp agave
2tbsp natural peanut buter
2 tbsp chocolate chips
Cream together PB, agave and yogurt. Top with chocolate chips and enjoy!
See. It’s so easy, filling and delicious.