What its really like to get professional newborn photos

Have you seen gorgeous newborn portrait images and wondered, what are professional newborn photos actually like? How do the photographers get every detail so perfect? How does everyone choose what to wear? How do they get the baby to sleep? What does the studio really look like?

Watch this video with photos behind the scenes of one of my newborn photography sessions in my Boston, MA studio to get a feel for what your newborn session will be like.

What you can expect from your professional newborn photo session

You’ll arrive at the studio and I will greet you at the door! I’ll show you to the client couch and area where you can drop your stuff off, and make yourself at home.

We’ll talk about what you’d like to wear, and if you’d like you can choose a dress from my client closet. You can feel free to try on multiple dresses to find something you love. Once you pick something to wear, we’ll choose an outfit for your baby based on everyone’s outfit choices.

Depending on how baby is feeling, we’ll start your session with natural and flattering poses. I have multiple backdrops and “go to” poses, but every session is a little different and tailored to you and your family. If you need to feed your baby during the session, that’s totally fine–I love doing feeding photos if that is something you are into as well!

The session will last about an hour, and my goal is for you to feel like it was easy and low pressure. You should expect to spend the time snuggling and staring at your baby, in natural, comfortable, and flattering poses. Check out the video below to see a professional newborn photos session for yourself!

4 years ago today it was so nice out that we went to the hospital to deliver this perfect baby without our coats ☀️ Happy 4 Rory ❤️🥰❤️
Wow this just took me way too long to create 🫣🫣🤣😅
One of the biggest worries parents have before an in-home newborn session is whether their house is “photo-ready.”

Here’s the truth: it doesn’t need to be 🤍

During an in-home newborn session, we use just a few light-filled spots—your bed, the nursery, a cozy corner of the living room, a window with beautiful natural light. Real spaces where life is actually happening right now.

No perfect décor.
No spotless counters.
No pressure to make your home look like a magazine.

These photos are about connection, comfort, and documenting this fleeting season exactly as it is. The places where you’re feeding your baby at 3am, rocking them to sleep, and slowly finding your rhythm together.

Your home already tells your family’s story. I’m just there to help you remember it.

✨ Read more about what spaces we use during in-home newborn sessions on the blog.

#newbornphotographer #bostonnewbornphotographer #motherhood #lifestylephotographer #inhomenewbornsession
2026 intention: take photos of my own kids with my real camera

Boston Newborn Photographer - Whitney O'Brien Photography logo
PhotographyWhitney O'Brien

Whitney O'Brien Photography

333 East street

Dedham, MA 02026

Let's connect

Boston newborn photographer with a luxury photography studio in Dedham, MA.

 

I specialize in natural, timeless portraits of motherhood, including maternity, newborn baby, and family photography sessions.

 

I serve Boston, MA neighborhoods such as Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Dorchester, and Hyde Park, as well as Dedham, Needham, Newton, Brookline, Westwood, Chestnut Hill, Arlington, Dover, Natick, Wellesley, Milton, Weston, Quincy, Norwood, Walpole and beyond.

 

To see my latest work and photos of my own kids, follow me on social media!

Boston Newborn Photographer - Whitney O'Brien Photography facebook
Whitney O'Brien - Boston Newborn Photographer Instagram