When should newborn photography be done?
The usual window is 5 to 14 days after birth, when babies are sleepy and settle into curled positions easily. Relaxed, lifestyle-style newborn photos, with the baby awake, in your arms and in the nursery, work well for the first six weeks or so.
Peeking from the basket
Tucked into a woven basket under a soft mint wrap, the baby peers out over a dummy, one hand curled against the cheek. Shot from slightly above, with sprigs of greenery on the wooden floor, the natural textures do the styling.
Photograph: Lee-Ann AlicksHow an in-home newborn session works
- Warm room, full tummy. Keep one room warm and feed the baby shortly before Lee-Ann arrives.
- One hour. Lee-Ann's baby session is booked as one hour; feeds and settling are part of it.
- Window light. A bedroom or lounge with a big window is all the set-up needed; only that room needs to be tidy.
- Family photos too. Parents, siblings and the baby's first days at home.
Newborn safety comes first
A newborn session should follow a simple safety checklist:
- The baby is never left unsupported, on a bed, a sofa or in a basket.
- A parent stays within arm's reach throughout.
- Baskets and props sit on the floor, never on a table or raised surface.
- The room is warm, because newborns lose heat quickly when unwrapped.
- Hands are washed before anyone handles the baby, and anyone with a cold stays away.
- No pose is attempted that the baby is not comfortable in. The pose ends the moment the baby fusses or changes colour.
- Feeds and nappy changes happen whenever the baby needs them, not when the schedule says.
Lifestyle newborn photography, the style seen in Lee-Ann's newborn photos, keeps to simple, natural positions: wrapped and settled, in a basket or in your arms.
Holding on
Tiny fingers curled over a parent's hand, every crease and fingernail in focus. In black and white the skin turns to soft greys, and the blurred shapes behind give the detail room to breathe.
Photograph: Lee-Ann AlicksSiblings, parents and family
Older brothers and sisters are best photographed first, while they are fresh; a short, playful set is enough. Parents often say the photos of themselves with the baby are the ones they treasure most, so plan to be in the frame.
Awake and watching
Not every newborn photo is a sleeping one. Framed through the blur of a felt mobile, the baby gazes off to the side from a nest of white cotton and chunky blue knit: the alert minutes are worth photographing too.
Photograph: Lee-Ann AlicksBooking before your baby arrives
Book during pregnancy and send your due date to Lee-Ann through the form. Newborn sessions are usually pencilled in for the second week and confirmed once the baby is born. Combine it with a maternity photoshoot to tell the whole story, or browse the full list of shoots on the photographer in Cape Town home page.
What newborn photography in Cape Town costs
Lee-Ann charges R950 for a one-hour baby session. Published newborn shoots elsewhere in Cape Town range from about R2,500 to R4,500; they usually cost more than a standard portrait session because they run longer. Compare it with other photoshoot prices in Cape Town.
Is newborn photography worth it?
Yes. The newborn weeks pass faster than any other stage, and phone photos rarely include the parents. A session gives you calm, well-lit photos of the baby and of yourselves, at home, without needing to plan anything but a warm room.
Questions people ask
When should newborn photography be done?
Ideally between 5 and 14 days after birth. Relaxed lifestyle newborn photos work up to about six weeks.
How much on average is a newborn photoshoot in Cape Town?
Lee-Ann charges R950 for a one-hour baby session. Published Cape Town newborn prices sit at roughly R2,500 to R4,500.
Do I need to tidy my whole house?
No. Only the room with the best window light is used, and the rest stays out of frame.
What if the baby arrives early or late?
The date is booked against your due date and moved once the baby is born.
What should my baby wear for newborn photos?
Keep it simple: a plain wrap, a soft blanket or a simple babygrow without logos or busy prints. Neutral and pastel colours suit window light, and a nappy alone is fine for skin-to-skin photos with a parent.