Step-by-Step Guide to Prepare for Your Newborn Photoshoot | JK Photography Tauranga


Welcoming your baby into the world is one of the most beautiful moments of your life — and capturing those first precious days with a newborn photoshoot is something you’ll treasure forever. At JK Photography in Tauranga, we specialise in timeless, heartwarming newborn photography that tells your unique story. To help you get the most out of your session, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to prepare for your newborn photoshoot.


Step 1: Book Your Session Early

It’s best to book your newborn session during your pregnancy, ideally in your second or early third trimester. This gives us time to plan and ensures availability during the ideal window for newborn photography — typically when your baby is between 5–14 days old. During this stage, babies are sleepier and more easily posed.


Tip: Let us know your due date, and we’ll pencil in a session with flexibility to adjust once your baby arrives.


Step 2: Choose the Right Style

At JK Photography, we offer both lifestyle sessions and studio-style posed sessions (soft blankets, gentle lighting, delicate props). We’ll help you decide what works best for your family and preferences.


Think about:


Do you love minimalist, natural light photos?

Or do you prefer stylised, artistic setups?

Let us know your vision!


Step 3: Prepare Your Baby

For a smooth session:


Keep your baby awake for 1–2 hours before the shoot, if possible, to encourage deep sleep during the session.

Feed your baby just before the shoot so they’re full and content.

Dress baby in loose, easy-to-remove clothing to avoid disturbing them when we start.

We have a warm, calm space in our Tauranga CBD studio to help soothe and settle your baby.


Step 4: What to Bring

Here’s a checklist of essentials to pack for your newborn photoshoot:


Extra nappies and wipes

A couple of blankets or swaddles

A pacifier (if you use one)

Spare clothes for baby (and parents, just in case)

Any special props, heirlooms, or outfits you’d like included (I have everything in the studio - this is only if you want something specific included.)

We also provide a range of wraps, bonnets, and baskets — all safely sanitised and baby-approved!


Step 5: Dress Comfortably (and Coordinate!)

If you’re planning to be in photos, wear neutral, soft tones — think whites, creams, pastels, or earth tones. Avoid loud patterns or logos. Simple, timeless clothing works best for keeping the focus on your baby.


Coordinate, don’t match: Subtle coordination across the family creates a cohesive look without being too matchy-matchy.


Step 6: Relax and Trust the Process

We get it — newborns can be unpredictable. At JK Photography, we allow plenty of time for feeds, cuddles, and breaks. My experience with babies means I know how to capture those magic moments — even in between the wiggles and yawns.


Just bring your love and let us take care of the rest.


A newborn session is more than a photoshoot — it’s a chance to slow down and soak in the magic of these fleeting days. At JK Photography Tauranga, we’re honoured to help families preserve these memories in the most beautiful way.


✨ Ready to book your newborn photoshoot?

Contact us today to secure your spot and create timeless keepsakes with JK Photography in Tauranga.