The Complete Guide to Newborn Photography (Auckland Edition)
By Emma Williams, MANAWA Studio — Auckland & North Shore's studio-based maternity and newborn photographer
If you're expecting, or you've just welcomed your baby earthside, you've probably started wondering about newborn photos — when to book, what actually happens during a session, and how on earth those impossibly peaceful photos are taken. After photographing over 1,000 newborns, I've put together everything I wish every new parent knew before their first session.
What Is Newborn Photography, Really?
Newborn photography is the art of capturing your baby in their earliest days — typically within the first two weeks of life, while they're still curled, sleepy, and unmistakably brand new. It's not just a photoshoot; done well, it's a gentle, unhurried experience that results in artwork your family will treasure for generations, not just images that sit unopened on a hard drive. You can see examples of this in our newborn gallery. Though most importantly newborn art work in your home is not just for your memories to relive, they also provide a strong sense of belonging throughout your precious newborns life.
When Should You Book Your Newborn Session?
This is the question I get asked most, and the honest answer is: before your baby arrives.
Newborn sessions are best done within the first 5–14 days of life, while babies are naturally sleepier and more easily settled into those curled, womb-like poses. After around two weeks, babies become more alert, less flexible, and often develop newborn acne or umbilical cord changes that many parents prefer to photograph around rather than through.
Because timing is tight and unpredictable (nobody knows exactly when their baby will arrive), most experienced newborn photographers — myself included — take provisional bookings during pregnancy, usually from around your 2nd trimester, and confirm the exact date once your baby is born. If you'd like to reserve your session, you can enquire now.
Studio vs. Outdoor Newborn Photography
You'll find photographers who specialise in each, and both can produce beautiful results — it really comes down to what matters most to you.
A studio-based session (which is what I offer at Manawa) means full control over temperature, lighting, and environment, regardless of what the Auckland weather is doing outside. For a newborn session specifically, this matters more than people expect: babies settle best in a warm, quiet, consistent environment, and a studio lets me maintain that from start to finish without any variables outside my control. You can read more about what a session at Manawa involves on our Newborn Experience page
Whatever style you choose, the most important thing is finding a photographer whose portfolio genuinely reflects what you want on your own walls.
What Happens During a Newborn Session?
Every photographer works a little differently, but here's what you can expect from a Manawa session:
1. Arrival & settling in. Sessions are unhurried — we typically allow 2–4 hours, because newborns work on their own schedule, not ours. You'll arrive, get comfortable, and we'll start when your baby is ready, not by the clock.
2. Feeding and soothing, as needed. A well-fed, freshly settled baby is a cooperative baby. Don't worry about interrupting the session to feed or comfort your little one — it's expected, and built into the pace of the day.
3. Posed and natural moments. We'll capture a mix of classic newborn poses (curled, wrapped, in those sleepy, peaceful positions) alongside natural family moments — parents holding baby, siblings meeting them for the first time, tiny details like fingers, toes, and eyelashes.
4. Safety, always. Every pose is achieved through gentle guidance, support, and — where needed — composite safety techniques, never through unsafe stacking or unsupported positioning. A newborn photographer should be trained in newborn safety and, ideally, First Aid certified.
5. Break and reset. If your baby needs a longer settle, a nappy change, or simply isn't in the mood, a good session allows for that. Rushing a newborn rarely produces the calm, peaceful images you're hoping for.
How Do I Prepare for a Newborn Session?
Myths surrounding a newborn session.
You may hear the advice to keep your baby awake for an hour before the session, so they're naturally tired and settle faster once we begin. Please don't. In their very first few weeks, babies need a lot of sleep, and an overtired newborn is often more restless and harder to settle, not less. With years of experience, I promise sleep won't be the thing standing between you and a beautiful session.
You may also hear the advice that a full tummy means a sleepy baby, and feel pressure to feed right before you leave home. Please don't stress about this. I've found that rushing a feed before arriving can actually add unnecessary pressure on mum, so I always build feeding time into the session itself — once you're here, settled, and ready, that's when we feed.
A little preparation goes a long way:
Keep the house warm on the day, and dress baby in something easy to remove — studios are kept warm specifically for these sessions, so light layers with easy accessibility work best.
Don't stress about "perfect" timing. Newborns are unpredictable, and an experienced photographer will work with whatever mood your baby brings on the day.
What Should I Wear?
For parents and siblings, soft, neutral, uncluttered clothing photographs best — think light knits, muted tones, and simple silhouettes that won't distract from your baby. Avoid busy patterns, logos, or bright colours that pull focus. Most studios (mine included) will guide you through outfit choices ahead of time, and often have wraps, outfits, and accessories to match on hand for your baby. At MANAWA you're also very welcome to use our stunning maternity outfits. Please see the MANAWA Guide to Styling for in-depth advice.
Is Newborn Photography Safe?
It should always be completely safe — but this is genuinely one area where experience matters enormously. Look for a photographer who is:
- Trained specifically in newborn posing and safety, not just general photography
- First Aid certified
- Willing to explain their safety approach when you ask
Any pose that looks precarious in a photo (baby balanced in a bowl, hanging in a sling, etc.) is almost always achieved through multiple safely-supported shots — not a single risky pose. If a photographer can't explain how a pose is achieved safely, that's worth asking more about before you book.
What Happens After the Session?
This is where the real magic happens, and it's a stage many parents don't think about until they're in it. After your session, your images are edited, and depending on your photographer you may be invited back to a reveal appointment, where you see your images for the first time and choose how you'd like them turned into art: albums, framed prints, wall art, or digital collections.
I always encourage parents to think beyond the digital files. A folder on a hard drive is easy to forget; a beautiful piece of art on your wall is something your family sees and feels every single day and has so many benefits for a growing family.
MANAWA is Auckland and North Shore's studio-based maternity and newborn photography experience.
This is Manawa. Where belonging begins.
Do I need to bring anything?
Just your baby, a change of clothes, and any outfits or keepsakes (like a family heirloom) you'd like included. Everything else — wraps, props, styling — is provided in a MANAWA studio session including a fully equipped changing area.
How far in advance should i book?
As early as possible in your third trimester, since availability around your due date is limited and newborn sessions can't be rescheduled far from birth.
How long does a newborn session take?
Typically 2–4 hours, to allow for feeding, settling, unhurried posing and lunch. A newborn session is a wonderful experience to be treasured and enjoyed.
What if my baby won't settle
As an experienced photographer I have techniques (white noise, swaddling, gentle bouncing) to help, and will always prioritise your baby's comfort over getting a specific shot and will always advice the best pratice.
About the Author
Emma is the photographer and founder behind MANAWA, based in Auckland, New Zealand. With over 20 years' experience photographing maternity, newborn, and family sessions, she is an award-winning photographer through the International Newborn Photography Competition and Awards (INPCA) and a regular contributing photographer for Bump, Baby & Beyond magazine. Emma's work is bold, soulful, and editorial — creating images designed to help every child feel they truly belong.
