Anticipation or the sweet chaos of a newborn's arrival—whether you're eagerly awaiting or already navigating the whirlwind of early parenthood, you've found your way to the magical realm of newborn photography. Whether this has been on your radar for months or is a sudden realization, questions are bound to bubble up, and we're here to make sure you have all the joyful answers you need.
Let's embark on this journey together! Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from parents contemplating the beautiful world of newborn photography:
Is is better to book before or after your baby has arrived? It is never too early to get on our newborn photo shoot schedule! Your best bet is to book in your second or third trimester. Why? We only accept a limited amount of newborns each month. We do this to account for the extra wiggle room we need in our calendar to accommodate each baby's arrival. Generally, we are booked for newborn sessions 4-6 weeks in advance.
You might be wondering how old baby should be for their newborn photoshoot with us. We always aim to schedule our sessions when baby is around 8-14 days old. This is when baby is super sleepy, snuggly and still curly from the womb. They are more easily molded into those squishy newborn poses! On top of this, they are less likely to be disturbed when posing or moving to props. We also don't have to worry as much about jaundice or baby acne. Check out this "When to Take Newborn Photos" blog post for a more info!
The length of the session depends on your package choice, but generally newborn photos can take anywhere from 1.5-3 hours. Our Mini Swaddle session typically lasts 1-1.5 hours, our Classic session averages 2 hours, and for our Deluxe Family session you can expect 2.5-3 hours. We always allow for plenty of time for soothing and feedings during our sessions! We only book one newborn a day, so we are able to take our time with each baby. sessions are never rushed and always we go at baby's pace.
Not at all! Most newborn photographers will tell you your baby has to be photographed within the first two weeks of birth. However, we always say this is just a guideline, not a hard rule. Newborn photos can absolutely be held at or past two weeks. And we often do! The key here is realistic expectations. After two weeks, newborns tend to be more alert, less sleepy and wake easier while be posed or wrapped. So we just have to make adjustments to the session. We can plan for more swaddled and wrapped set ups. Maybe we get less or no bare baby poses, or baby will be awake in more of the photos. Doesn't matter! Your baby will still be captured perfectly. Just as they are, in that moment of their lives. And ps, we have a really great track record when it comes to "older" newborns. Check out this great blog post "Older Newborn Pictures- Am I Too Late?" for examples of photoshoots with newborns past two weeks.
Siblings three years old and over can be included in newborn photos. We like to remind parents that while we always try to capture great sibling shots, at the end of the day it will really depend on what the little ones are game for. Sibling shots can be great when they work, but we like to stress that they are not the focus of our newborn sessions. We have had a rough go with sibling shots in the past- with siblings wanting nothing to do with baby or not wanting to be photographed at all. So we just like to mention that it can be a 50/50 chance with the sibling shots. Typically siblings arrive separately about an hour after the session starts and then we try for a few different shots with newborn and sibling, as well as everyone together with newborn. We try for about 30-45 minutes, and if they aren't having it we move on, as we don't like to take too much time away from the baby only shots. Once their shots are done, someone should be available to leave with them. Newborn sessions are much too long and hot for siblings!
Matt Cramer Photography is a Los Angeles based husband and wife newborn & baby photographer team serving the Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita and Orange County areas, including Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Northridge, Arcadia, El Monte, Monrovia, as well as the South Bay and Beach Cities.
This beautiful family!! I was going through past sessions and realized I never shared this! The love shared in this family and the love they felt for newest addition was a sight to see! The sweetest!! 🤍🤍 xo, Jess
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This photo means so much to us. This sweet girl is baby #2 for this wonderful family- and we’ve photographed them both! This time they drove all the way from Anaheim! We always so honored when families come from so far to see us. 🙏
When mom asked if she could bring her wedding veil to the session, we weren’t sure how it would work, but we told her to bring it in and we’d see what we could do.
During the session, baby was so relaxed and sleepy, we decided to give the veil a try. We played around with it, and this shot ended up being our favorite. It felt so simple and sweet, and we love how it turned out.
Capturing their second baby felt extra special—there’s nothing better than watching families grow and being part of their story.
Q: Can we bring our own props to the session?
A: We usually stick to the props we have here in the studio, but if there’s something really meaningful to you, let us know. We’re happy to look it over and see if it can be safely and beautifully included.
Matt Cramer Photography has been photographing newborns in Los Angeles for over 12 years. We focus on creating relaxed, stress-free sessions and timeless images that families will treasure forever. With more than 1,600 babies photographed, we’ve built a reputation for making every session feel special and easy for new parents.
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We always always make sure to capture those super close up shots! Every detail of your baby’s little face. So you’ll never forget! ❤️❤️ xo, Jess
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Highlights from a recent “Mini Swaddle” session with us!
Oh this sweet babe captured my heart! Just perfect and didn’t open her eyes once! 😴.
Tried something new and fun with the first shot here. Mom mentioned baby’s girls nursery had light blues and was a moon and stars theme. So these little blue velvet stars and adorable blue patterned pillow worked perfectly! xo, Jess
Matt Cramer Photography is a husband and wife newborn photography team located in Los Angeles, CA. We have been photographing SoCal’s newest and tiniest residents since 2011.
FAQ: Can you include setups or props that match the theme or colors of my baby’s nursery?
Answer:
Absolutely! I love creating setups that complement your baby’s nursery theme or color palette. There’s a dedicated space on your pre-session questionnaire where you can share all the details about your nursery design, such as colors, themes, or specific items you’d like me to incorporate.
I use this information to carefully plan your session, ensuring the photos blend beautifully with your nursery decor and create a cohesive look for your keepsakes and wall art.
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Sweetest lil gal all snuggled up! Blush pink is always a fav! ❤️ xo, Jess
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@mattcramerphotography
Hours:
Mon: 10-4pm
tues: 10-4pm
wed: 10-4pm
thurs: 10-4pm
fri: 10-4pm
sat: closed
Sun: closed