How Long Are Your Newborn Sessions?
By Elizabeth Lang Photography – Surrey, near Vancouver
If you're considering a newborn photography session, one of the most common questions I get asked is, “How long is the session?” It’s a great question, and the answer varies depending on the package you choose, but generally, newborn sessions range from 2 hours to 3 hours for the larger package.
But why does it take that long? Babies are precious little beings, and photographing them requires a lot of patience, attention to detail, and, above all, care. Let me walk you through the reasons why newborn sessions can take 2-3 hours and what you can expect during your session.

1. Patience is Key When Working with Newborns
Newborn photography isn’t like other types of portraiture. It’s a slower, more deliberate process, especially because we’re working with tiny, unpredictable humans who need a lot of attention. At this early age, babies sleep a lot, but they also need time to settle into sleep, and sometimes they need to be soothed or fed before we can proceed with the session.
The goal is to ensure that your baby is comfortable and safe while we create beautiful, timeless images. To achieve this, we often need to pause and calm them between different setups and poses. Newborns need to be handled gently, and their sleep cycles are important—so there’s a lot of waiting, adjusting, and making sure your baby feels safe and relaxed. This is why newborn sessions typically take a bit longer than other photo shoots.

2. We Aim for Perfect Poses (Which Take Time!)
When it comes to newborn photography, the art is in the details. I aim to get the perfect shots where your baby is snuggled up in peaceful, serene poses. These poses require a lot of time and patience. I want to make sure your baby is positioned safely and comfortably, which means adjusting their little hands, arms, and legs into the most flattering positions.
We also work with props like baskets, wraps, and blankets to add a touch of whimsy to the session. Setting up these props and ensuring your baby is settled just right takes time—each shot is carefully crafted for the best result.
Some poses, like the froggy pose, require composite photography (merging two images together in Photoshop), which is a bit more time-consuming, but it allows us to get the perfect shot without compromising the baby’s safety.

4. Comfort and Soothing for Baby
Throughout the session, it’s important to keep your baby comfortable and relaxed. This includes keeping the studio warm enough for them to feel cozy, making sure they’re well-fed (and burped!), and providing soothing sounds and gentle movements to help them stay asleep.
I often work with white noise machines, soft music, or gentle rocking to help babies stay calm and in a deep sleep state. Sometimes, babies will stir and need a little extra attention to fall back asleep or settle between poses. These pauses in the session can add time, but it’s all part of the process to ensure we get those beautiful, dreamy photos you’ll treasure forever.

5. Customizing Your Session
Every baby is unique, and so every session is a little different. Some babies are naturally more peaceful and sleep soundly through most of the session, while others may need more breaks or may take longer to settle. I am prepared for all possibilities, and I customize each session based on your baby’s temperament.
If your baby needs extra soothing or feeding breaks, that’s completely normal, and we can take as much time as needed. I want you to feel at ease and enjoy the process, knowing that I’m here to take care of your baby and your family’s needs throughout the session.

6. Larger Package: 3 Hours for More Poses and Props
For families choosing the larger newborn photography package, the session time extends to about 3 hours. This allows us to take more time with different setups, additional props, and more variety in the poses. If you’re hoping to include more family shots, multiple sibling poses, or additional details like heirloom items, the longer session ensures that we have plenty of time to capture all those precious memories.
This extended time also gives us the opportunity to slow down and fully focus on every little detail, making sure you receive a well-rounded gallery with a variety of images to choose from.

In Conclusion: 2-3 Hours Well Spent
While 2-3 hours may seem like a long time, every minute is important when it comes to newborn photography. It’s a time to carefully capture your baby’s first moments, create a calm and soothing atmosphere, and ensure that every shot is thoughtfully composed.
I want you to leave your session feeling confident, knowing that we’ve captured the love, joy, and beauty of this special time in your life. If you’re looking for timeless, heirloom-quality images of your newborn, take the time to invest in a relaxed, stress-free session where every detail is carefully attended to.
So, when you book a newborn session with me, you’re not just scheduling a photography appointment—you’re allowing time for the magic to unfold.
Elizabeth Lang Photography
Serving Surrey and the Vancouver Area
YOUR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION WITH ELIZABETH LANG PHOTOGRAPHY