Newborn Client Guide
Congratulations, sweet friend.
You are about to step into one of the most tender seasons of your life.
A new baby is coming, and before the busyness of those early days sets in, I just want you to know how truly honored I am to be the one you chose to document this chapter. It means more to me than I can put into words.
This little guide is my way of wrapping my arms around you before we even meet. I put it together so that you can feel calm, prepared, and cared for every step of the way. Read through it slowly, come back to it whenever you need to, and please never hesitate to reach out. I am always just a message away.
The weeks ahead are going to be full of so much feeling. There will be moments of pure joy and moments that feel tender and overwhelming all at once. That is the beauty of new life, and it is exactly what I am here to hold space for
I cannot wait
to meet your little one !
Planning your Session
the timeline
When you find out you are expecting, that is the perfect time to reach out. I recommend booking your newborn session during your second trimester, around weeks 16 to 24 if you can. Newborn sessions fill up gently but steadily, and reserving your spot early means that when your baby arrives, everything is already taken care of.
Once your little one is here, the first 5 to 14 days are the sweetest window for a newborn session. During those earliest days babies are still so beautifully sleepy and curled and new, and there is a softness to them that is truly unlike any other season. It is a window that closes quickly, and I want to make sure we are ready to step into it together.
The moment your baby arrives, send me a message. We will confirm your session date from there and take it one gentle step at a time.
in the days before
The most important thing you can do in the days leading up to your session is simply rest. Let the housework wait, let the to-do list sit, and give yourself permission to just be with your new baby. You do not need to have everything perfectly together. You just need to show up, and I will take care of everything else from there.
If you have older children coming, a little conversation beforehand about what to expect can go a long way. Let them know they will get to meet the baby, that it will be fun, and that there is no pressure on them to perform. The most beautiful sibling moments always happen naturally.
during your session
Once you arrive we will ease in slowly. There is no rushing straight into photos. We will get everyone settled, go over any questions you have, and let your baby lead the way from there.
Sessions move at their own gentle pace and we will take as many breaks as your little one needs. Feeding breaks, soothing breaks, quiet pauses. All of it is welcome and all of it is expected. I have been here many times before and I will guide you through every moment of it.
For in-home sessions, simply tidy the spaces we will be using and let the rest go. For studio sessions, just arrive and settle in. For outdoor sessions, I will be in touch ahead of time to confirm our location and timing so we have the most beautiful light for your family.
on the day of your session
Give yourself plenty of time to get ready without rushing. A calm arrival makes such a difference, not just for you but for your baby too. Feed your little one as close to your arrival time as possible, as a full and sleepy baby is the best thing you can walk through the door with.
Bring everything you would normally bring for a day out with a new baby. Diapers, extra outfits, a pacifier if your little one uses one, and anything that helps them feel settled and comfortable. And please bring snacks and something to drink for yourself too. You have just had a baby and taking care of you matters just as much.
after your session
Once we have wrapped up, go home, put your feet up, and just be with your family. The hard part is over and the beautiful part is just beginning.
Within two weeks I will share a small collection of sneak peek images to give you a first glimpse of your gallery. Your full edited gallery will be ready and waiting for you within four weeks of your session date, along with access to your own private online shop where you can revisit your images, share them with loved ones, and order prints whenever you feel ready.
Session Locations
Every family is different, and part of what makes this experience so personal is that your session can be shaped around what feels most like you. I offer three beautiful options for newborn sessions, and I am always happy to help you decide which one feels like the right fit.
In-Studio Sessions
Outdoor Sessions
In-home Sessions
The Studio
If you are welcoming a new baby and would love a calm, beautiful space to document those very first days, my in-home studio in El Dorado Hills & Folsom is available for your newborn session.
It is a quiet, unhurried space where we follow your baby's lead entirely. There is no rushing here. We take all the time your little one needs, and I take care of every detail so that you can simply sit back and soak in this season.
The studio is stocked with soft wraps, organic textures, and simple props that honor just how tiny and tender these earliest moments truly are. My client closet is also available to you, with a selection of pieces for both mama and baby.
All collections include the option to shoot in the studio.
Ready to book your dreamy session?
Styling your session
Getting dressed for your session should feel easy and exciting, not stressful. I have taken care of a lot of the hard work for you, but here are a few gentle guidelines to help you feel your most beautiful on the day.
For Mama
Think soft, flowing, and feminine. Creams, warm whites, dusty mauves, and gentle earth tones all photograph beautifully and feel timeless in images. Choose something you feel truly lovely in, because when you feel good, it shows in every single frame.
Your full style guide is linked below with everything you need to put together the perfect look.
For Dad & the Little Ones
Keep it simple and let mama lead. Neutral tones, soft layers, and comfortable pieces in colours that complement rather than compete are always the right choice. When everyone feels relaxed and at ease, the images take care of themselves.
The Client Closet
If you would love to borrow something beautiful for your session, my client closet is here for you. It is filled with hand selected gowns and soft pieces chosen with sessions just like yours in mind. Simply reach out ahead of time and I will help you find something that feels just right.
For your sweet baby, I have a selection of soft wraps and gentle basics available to use during your session.
Premium Collection
2 hour photo session
On Location, In-home or studio session
Style Assistance to help put together the perfect outfits for your session
Online Viewing of your gallery of beautifully edited images
Custom online shop for ordering prints
Full gallery of images (80+)
10 images of 5x7 prints in fine art paper with a leather envelope pack mailed to your address
$1,149
Signature Collection
1.5 hour photo session
On Location, In-home or studio session
Style Assistance to help put together the perfect outfits for your session
Online Viewing of your gallery of beautifully edited images
Custom online shop for ordering prints
Choice of 50 digital images
A large 11x14 print of your choice mailed to your address
$859
Classic Collection
1 hour photo session
On Location, In-home or studio session
Style Assistance to help put together the perfect outfits for your session
Online Viewing of your gallery of beautifully edited images
Custom online shop for ordering prints
Choice of 25 digital Images
$679
Premium Print Gifts
If you select my Premium Collection you will receive this stunning gift of a leather photo wrap and 10 of your favorite images printed on fine art paper from my preferred professional lab.
This print gift can be added to my Signature and Classic Collections for $250
Please note: My preferred print lab and the leather goods are both sourced from Europe, so it usually takes around 3-4 weeks for them to be ready.
“Tsaiti is a very talented photographer! She has a natural ability to make a photo come to life and capture just the perfect moment. She did an amazing job at editing our photos to make them look like they came out of a magazine. Tsaiti is very easy to work with and hands-on from before the shoot (coordinating outfits) to after (helping with the gallery and printing) to make sure we were happy. She is very patient and made my family and me very comfortable throughout the entire process.
Whether you're looking for family, engagement, maternity, or newborn photos, Tsaiti can do it all! Rest assure you’ll treasure your photos for a lifetime!”
- Emily g.
Include a maternity session
If you have ever thought about documenting your pregnancy too, I want you to know that some of my most meaningful work has come from families who chose to capture both.
There is something about having images from those last quiet weeks before your baby arrived, and then holding those same images alongside your newborn gallery, that is hard to describe. You see the whole story. The waiting, and then the arrival. The belly, and then the baby. It is one of those things that clients tell me they are so glad they did.
When you book your maternity and newborn sessions together, I am happy to offer $200 off your total investment. Both sessions do need to be booked at the same time, but beyond that, I take care of all the planning and we simply let each season unfold as it comes.
If this feels like something you want, reach out and we can talk through it together. I would truly love to document all of it for you. You can book your bundled sessions by sending me a quick email, or book your maternity session below, and we can chat about adding your newborn session.
frequently asked questions
what if my baby arrives early or late?
Please do not worry about this at all. Babies come on their own timeline and that is something I hold with so much grace. The moment your little one arrives, simply send me a message and we will find the closest available date that works. I always keep flexible dates around your due date for exactly this reason.
Gallery delivery time
Your full downloadable online gallery will be ready about 4 weeks after your session. Sneak peeks images will be provided in 2 weeks.
High-resolution images are uploaded to a gallery through pic time and delivered digitally where your prints and production can also be ordered directly. Your gallery can also be shared with family and friends. The gallery does expire, it stays active for up to 3 months for downloading and ordering.
How long should our session take?
Newborn sessions are intentionally unhurried, so the length of your session will depend entirely on your baby. We follow their lead from start to finish. Some babies settle quickly and some need a little more time, and both are completely okay. There is no rushing here. Plan for a generous window of time and simply let the day unfold.
What should I do if my baby is fussy during the session?
This is so normal and so expected, and please know it will never stress me out. Feeding breaks, soothing time, and slow transitions are all a natural part of a newborn session. I have worked with many babies and I know how to move gently and patiently through those moments. Your only job is to relax and trust the process.
Can siblings come to the session?
Absolutely. Siblings are such a beautiful part of welcoming a new baby, and some of my most treasured images have come from those quiet moments between brothers and sisters meeting for the first time. Siblings of any age are welcome, and I will gently guide everyone through their time in front of the camera so it feels natural and easy.
Print and products
Your session fee does not include prints and products, but prints can be ordered through your online gallery or by using the high resolution digital image files of your own professional grade print vendor. I don’t recommend printing to big box chain stores such as Shutterfly, CVS, target, Walgreen, Costco…etc, as the quality of the color will be off and doesn’t do justice to the beautiful image created for you.
