A soft, neutral-colored toy (preferably knitted)

A cute heirloom toy is a great way to show scale. When photographing the tiniest newest member of your family, you might want to add an element that shows how tiny indeed they were.

A plush stuffed animal is my go-to. I prefer them knitted because it adds a bit of texture. And in soft neutral colors like beige, off-white, or soft brown, because we want the baby to be the focus. We don't need a bright item that's going to distract the eye. We want something cute and small that will complement the composition.

My personal choice: Cuddle and Kind dolls.

A solid-colored swaddle

Swaddles help more than you think during Newborn sessions. Once the baby is comfortably wrapped like a burrito, most likely he/she'll be relaxed and happy, even sleepy.

The Moro reflex is a normal reflex for an infant when he or she is startled or feels like they are falling. Think of it this way, after months of living all tight and comfy in mom's belly, being on the outside without any pressure or support messes with your sense of space. That is why swaddling makes babies feel supported and safe, it reminds them of being in the womb.

Having a solid-colored swaddle is key, as you don't want any printed or graphic elements to distract you from the baby. Soft pastel colors usually work best, as they convey a bright and airy feeling.

A white onesie

During the session, we want to change the baby the least amount of times possible. We want the baby to be relaxed and happy, and changing too much makes them fuzzy.

This is why I recommend a white onesie or outfit. It guarantees to go well with the family outfits and it becomes the immediate focal point in the composition.

A white onesie also allows for shooting details with a clean background and keeps the baby warm during this part of the session. I prefer the kind that allows the feet and hands to show.

A twist to the classic onesie is a white dress gown or classic romper.

Neutral color family outfits

Family outfits can make or break a session. They are extremely important to help balance the composition and create that "vibe" you love about my photos.

Avoiding big logos and text is key. I also suggest choosing soft neutral colors, preferably in pastel hues and they allow the eye to move easily throughout the frame.

Most importantly, (unless you are shooting a fashion editorial) the outfits should not be the focus point of a photo. The focus is on you! Your family, you, your kids, your husband, your interactions, feelings, and tender moments together should be the first thing that emanates from your pictures,