Documenting the First Days

The first days of parenthood are a whirlwind of joy, exhaustion, and countless tiny moments that pass by in the blink of an eye. When it comes to newborn photography, many parents want to preserve these genuine moments but without the hassle of packing up the entire family to go to a studio. That’s where I come in—offering documentary-style newborn photography that lets your family’s real story unfold naturally in the comfort of your own home.

A parent sits in a brown leather chair holding a sleeping baby wearing light blue, against a stone wall background.
Sleeping newborn baby wearing soft blue ribbed outfit nestled against caregiver on leather sofa.

One of the most important parts of a documentary-style newborn session, especially when siblings are involved, is helping your older children feel comfortable and excited about being photographed with their new sibling. I always recommend talking to your kids ahead of time about what we’re going to do and why. Let them know that it’s a special time to capture memories of their new family, and how excited you are to have photos of them with their little brother or sister. This creates a sense of importance and excitement, and it can really help them warm up to the idea before I even arrive.

Small child in a white ruffled top and polka dot pants stands next to someone wearing khaki trousers in a bright room.
Parent and toddler sit together on a cozy living room floor by brown leather couch and stone fireplace.

The big sister

Nora was a little shy at first. She wasn’t sure about all the attention her baby sibling was getting. But after a little time, she got curious about what was happening. I never push kids to sit on the couch and smile. The more you try to force it, the more resistance you get. Instead, I take a more gentle approach—I simply let them know, “You don’t have to be here if you don’t feel like it, but if you want to join, we’d be very happy to have you here.” Sometimes, they hesitate at first, but it usually works much better than any sort of bribery. Kids naturally want to be part of their family and please their parents, and when they feel invited, not pressured, they often end up feeling much more comfortable.

This approach works well because children, especially younger ones, often find comfort in wanting to be part of the family dynamic. When they feel included and respected in the process, they’re more likely to open up and join in the fun. It's a win-win: you get beautiful, authentic family photos, and your older child gets to be part of the experience in their own way, on their own terms.

Father in a white sweater holding sleeping newborn in blue on grey armchair in a serene moment at home.
A sleeping newborn baby wrapped in a soft blue sweater rests peacefully against dad's shoulder.

What Is Documentary-Style Newborn Photography?

Documentary-style newborn photography is all about capturing your life as it happens, exactly as it is. Not much posing, no props, just you, your baby, and the raw, real moments that define your early days together. It’s an incredibly relaxed and intimate style that doesn’t require you to worry about your home being spotless or putting together a picture-perfect outfit (Although coordination helps). Instead, we focus on the moments that make your family unique—tender snuggles, quiet feedings, little hands gripping your finger, or the way your baby sleeps peacefully in your arms.

A cozy scene with mom holding her sleeping son in a cream sweater against a rustic stone wall backdrop.
Happy family bonding moment on brown leather chair against rustic stone wall backdrop.
Relaxed family moment on brown leather arm chair against rustic stone wall with wooden shelf in background.

The Process: Relaxed, Natural, and Easy

So, how does it work? First, we schedule your documentary session around 11 AM, which, as we’ve found, is the perfect time for newborns to drift back to sleep after their late morning feeding. This gives us the chance to capture those peaceful, serene moments without any squirming or funny facial expressions (because, let's face it, babies are adorable but they can pull some strange faces when they're awake!). This late-morning window also happens to be perfect if you have older siblings who tend to get tired before nap time—getting those sibling shots before the “nap-time whine” kicks in makes life easier for everyone.


On the day of the session, you don’t need to worry about tidying up or organizing every little detail. This style is all about authenticity, so if your house is a bit cluttered, that’s totally okay. I’ll focus on shooting in the areas where natural light flows best, and if needed, I’ll bring along some extra lighting to brighten up your space. But don’t worry, I love making light look natural and flattering, so it won’t interfere with the mood of your home. It’ll just enhance what's there.

A family sits together on a brown leather couch with a toddler and newborn baby in their home.
Two young children sit together on a brown leather couch with white sheepskin cushions while laughing and smiling.
A toddler smiles with excitement while being read to on a cozy white sofa.

No Posing

I’ll guide you gently, but we’ll let things unfold organically. This session isn’t about following a rigid list of posed shots; it’s about capturing the natural moments you experience as parents. It’s a relaxed process, so you can truly enjoy your time with your newborn without worrying about the details.


Capturing the Small Details

I’ll focus on the tiny, meaningful moments—those little touches, the way your baby’s tiny hand curls around your finger, or the way your family interacts in those quiet moments of connection.

Sleeping newborn in light blue onesie rests peacefully on parent's lap on brown leather couch.
Adult hands gently cradling tiny baby feet wearing soft blue ribbed clothing against beige background.
Peaceful sleeping baby in mint green knit sweater rests against soft beige blanket.

Sibling and Parent Photos

Yes, this session is all about your newborn, but I love including siblings and parents in the photos too. The way an older sibling looks at their new baby brother or sister, or the pure joy between mom and dad as they gaze at their little one—it’s all part of your story, and I want to capture that too.


Real-Life Moments

Whether it’s feeding time, a nap, or simply gazing at your newborn in wonder, every little moment is a part of the beautiful journey you’re on. I’ll be there to document it all.

A tender moment shared on a brown leather couch beneath framed wall art in a cozy home setting.
Two young children lying on a white knit blanket, with one wearing white and the other in blue.
Two young children sit on a brown leather couch with a white sheepskin rug, one wearing white and one in blue.
Tender moment of mom's hand gently holding a tiny baby's fingers against soft gray fabric and cream background.
Close up of a tiny baby foot resting gently in an adult's protective hand on a textured fabric surface.
Two siblings cuddle together on a white blanket against a wooden headboard in a tender moment.

What to Wear

You may be wondering what to wear for the session. The best part of a documentary session is that you don’t need anything fancy. Dress in what’s comfortable and natural for you. Think soft, neutral tones or whatever makes you feel at ease in your home. If you have a favorite cozy sweater or a simple outfit you feel great in, wear that! I promise, your pictures will look great.

A sleeping infant wearing soft blue clothing is held securely in loving arms near green houseplants.
A couple in cream colored sweaters holds a sleeping baby while standing in front of tropical houseplants.

Why Choose Documentary-Style

Newborn Photography

It’s all about capturing your story in its most authentic form. In a documentary session, I focus on the tender interactions, the quiet moments, and the everyday magic of your new family. You’ll have images that reflect the true nature of those early days—sweet exhaustion, quiet joy, and the love that surrounds your home. These aren’t just pretty pictures; they’re your memories, captured as they happen.


In the end, a documentary-style session is a wonderful option for families looking to preserve the raw, emotional moments that come with welcoming a new baby. And don’t worry—no one’s expecting your house to be perfectly tidy or your baby to stay still for hours. This is all about capturing life just as it is, in all its imperfect, beautiful glory.

Family relaxes together on bed showing bare feet while sitting on gray blanket.

Whether you choose a documentary-style session or a posed newborn session (which is also super cute!), you’ll have timeless photos to look back on for years to come. Each style has its unique charm, and the choice is completely yours. Ready to book your newborn session? Reach out today to capture the authenticity and beauty of your new family’s first moments together.

I’m based in Reno but also drive to Carson City, Lake Tahoe and surrounding areas for newborn sessions. Wherever you are, I’ll bring the same relaxed, authentic approach to capturing your family’s first moments together. Please fill the form below so we can start planning.

*
*
*
*
*
*

How do you imagine your session?