Choosing a newborn photoshoot package can feel a little confusing when you are pregnant, tired, excited, overwhelmed and possibly still trying to remember where you put your hospital bag list.
You know you want beautiful photos of your baby. But then the package choices start.
Do you need a quick wrapped session?
Should you book baby only?
What if you want one photo with baby?
What if siblings are coming?
What if baby is already a bit older?
And what if you really want the photos printed in a keepsake album?
This guide will help you answer the big question: which newborn photoshoot package should I book?
At Jenna D Photography in Waverley, Pretoria, my newborn sessions are planned around what you actually need, not just how many photos are included. Each package has a different purpose, and choosing the right one from the start makes the whole experience calmer.
The Quick Answer
If you want something simple and budget friendly, the Mini Newborn Wrap Session may be right for you.
If you want baby photos only, but with more variety than the mini session, choose the Baby Only Newborn Session.
If you want even one photo with mom, dad or siblings, choose the Newborn Beauty Session, which includes parents and siblings.
If you want the fuller experience with more time, more variety and a beautiful printed keepsake, choose the album collection.
That is the simple version. Now let’s look at who each newborn photoshoot package is really best for.
Mini Newborn Wrap Session
The Mini Newborn Wrap Session is the simplest newborn option.
This session is for parents who want something beautiful, but do not want to go all out. It is a lovely choice if you are working with a tighter budget, but still want professional newborn photos instead of missing this tiny stage completely.
Your baby will be wrapped for the session. Wrapped sessions are calm, simple and sweet. They focus on baby looking cosy and peaceful without lots of outfit changes or extra setups.
Who Is the Mini Wrap Session Best For?
This session is usually best for smaller newborns.
As a general guide, wrap sessions work best for babies up to around 4kg and usually around 3 weeks or younger, unless baby was premature. Premature babies are often a little smaller and sleepier for longer, so there can be more flexibility.
This package is a good fit if:
You want a budget-friendly newborn mini session
You are happy with wrapped images only
You do not want parent or sibling photos
Your baby is still small enough for the wrapped style
You want something simple, calm and quick
The mini session is not the best option if your baby is older, very alert, unsettled, or if you want lots of variety. It is also not the right option if you want photos with parents or siblings.
This is a baby only package.
Baby Only Newborn Session
The Baby Only Newborn Session is a step up from the mini wrap session.
It is still focused only on your baby, but it allows more variety than a short wrapped session. This can include outfits, wraps, props and different baby setups, depending on how baby settles on the day.
This is often a lovely option for parents who want beautiful newborn photos, but do not want to be photographed themselves.
And honestly, that is completely okay.
Not every mom feels ready to be in photos a few days after giving birth. Some moms are recovering from a c-section. Some parents are exhausted. Sometimes dad cannot get away from work. Sometimes one parent does not want to be photographed alone with baby if the other parent cannot be there.
A baby only newborn session gives you the option to still capture this stage without needing to do family portraits.
Who Is the Baby Only Session Best For?
This session is best if:
You want baby photos only
You want more variety than the mini wrap session
You do not want parent photos
You do not want sibling photos
You want a calmer, simpler session
You are working with a budget, but want more than the mini option
The important thing to understand is this: baby only really means baby only.
Parent photos and sibling photos are not included in this session. Not one quick photo. Not just mom. Not just one sibling shot.
I know that can sound strict, but it keeps things fair and clear for everyone. It also matters because the setup and workflow are different when family photos are included.
Newborn Beauty Session With Parents and Siblings
The Newborn Beauty Session is the right package if you want photos with baby.
That can mean one photo with mom.
It can mean baby with mom and dad.
It can mean baby with parents and siblings.
It can mean a few family combinations.
If you want a newborn photoshoot with parents or a newborn photoshoot with siblings, this is the package to book.
Even if you only want one parent photo, it still belongs in this package.
Why? Because a family newborn session is not just a baby only session with one extra click of the camera. The whole setup is different.
When I prepare for parent and sibling photos, I need to think about lighting, posing, family flow, space, timing, clothing tones and how to keep everyone comfortable. The room temperature is also different because parents and siblings are in the studio for part of the session too.
With baby only sessions, the space is prepared mainly for baby. With family sessions, the flow needs to work for everyone.
Who Is the Family Package Best For?
This package is best if:
You want one or more photos with baby
You want sibling photos
You want mom and baby portraits
You want dad and baby portraits
You want a more relaxed session with more time
Your baby is older or may need more settling
You want more variety in the final gallery
This is also the package I would usually recommend if baby is a little older or more difficult to settle. A longer session gives us more breathing room. Babies are tiny, but they have big opinions. Some of them arrive ready to sleep. Others arrive ready to run the meeting.
The extra time can make a big difference.
What If I Do Not Want Family Photos, But Want More Baby Setups?
This is where the Newborn Beauty Session can still work beautifully.
You can book the family package and leave the parent photos out.
In that case, we use the extra time for more baby setups, more props and more variety, depending on what baby allows.
So you are not wasting the package if you do not want to be photographed. You are simply choosing a longer, more flexible baby focused session.
This can be a good choice if you want more than the Baby Only Session offers, but you still prefer the gallery to focus completely on baby.
The Album Collection
The album collection is for parents who want the full keepsake experience.
This package includes more time, more images, more variety and a beautiful printed newborn photography album with thick pages. It can be done as baby only or with family, depending on what you want included.
This is the package for parents who know they do not want their newborn photos to live only on a phone or hard drive.
Digital images are wonderful, but there is something very special about holding your baby’s first portraits in a finished album. It becomes one of those things you keep, show, touch and pass down.
Who Is the Album Collection Best For?
The album collection is best if:
You want a fuller newborn experience
You want more images
You want more time
You want more outfits, wraps and props, if baby allows
You want baby only or family photos
You want a finished keepsake album
You do not want to worry about printing later
This package is also a lovely choice if newborn photos are very important to you and you want the most complete option.
Can I Add Parent Photos to a Baby Only Package?
No, parent photos cannot be added to baby only packages.
If you want one photo with baby or ten, the family package is the correct package.
This is not to be difficult. It is to make sure your session is planned properly from the beginning.
A baby only session and a family newborn session have different timing, different preparation and a different flow. When you book the correct package, I can prepare the studio properly and give you the calmest possible experience.
It also keeps things fair for all clients. Many parents book the family package specifically because they want parent or sibling photos included.
Which Newborn Photoshoot Package Should You Book?
Here is the easiest way to decide.
Choose the Mini Wrap Session if:
You want something simple and budget friendly.
You are happy with wrapped images.
Baby is still small enough for this style.
You do not want parent or sibling photos.
Choose the Baby Only Session if:
You want baby photos only.
You want more variety than the mini session.
You are not feeling up to being photographed.
One parent cannot make it.
You do not want family photos.
Choose the Newborn Beauty Session if:
You want even one photo with baby.
You want photos with mom, dad or siblings.
Baby is older or may need more time.
You want a longer, more relaxed session.
You want the option of more baby setups if you leave family photos out.
Choose the Album Collection if:
You want the most complete option.
You want more images and more variety.
You want baby only or family photos.
You want a beautiful keepsake album included.
FAQ About Choosing a Newborn Photoshoot Package
What if I book baby only and change my mind on the day?
If you think you may want parent or sibling photos, it is better to book the family package from the start. Parent and sibling photos cannot be added casually on the day to a baby only package.
What if dad cannot come to the session?
You can still book a baby only session if you do not want parent photos. If you want photos of mom with baby, then the family package is still the correct option.
What if siblings are only coming for one quick photo?
Sibling photos are included in the family package, not the baby only packages. Even one sibling photo needs the correct setup and timing.
What if my baby is older than 3 weeks?
For older babies, I would usually suggest one of the longer sessions. Older babies can still be photographed beautifully, but they often need more time and may be more awake.
Do I need the album collection?
You do not need it, but it is a beautiful option if you want a finished keepsake. Many parents love knowing their baby’s first photos are printed properly instead of staying forgotten in a digital folder.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right newborn photoshoot package is not only about price. It is about what you want from the experience.
Do you want something simple?
Do you want baby only?
Do you want to be in the photos?
Do you want siblings included?
Do you want more time and more variety?
Do you want a printed album?
Once you know what matters most to you, the choice becomes much easier.
And remember, if you want even one photo with the baby, please book the package that includes parents and siblings. It gives us the right time, setup and flow to do it properly.
Your baby will only be this tiny once. The right package helps you enjoy the session instead of worrying whether you chose correctly.
View the Newborn Packages
You can view the current newborn packages here:
https://jennadphotography.com/pretoria-newborn-pricing
Jenna D Photography is based in Waverley, Pretoria and specialises in calm, timeless newborn photography for tiny babies and very tired parents.
