Introduction

Welcome to the world of tiny fingers and sleepy smiles. Your baby will only be this small once. Those first few weeks fly by faster than you can imagine.

As your newborn photographer Quad Cities families choose, I serve Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline, and Rock Island. I know how precious these early days are for your growing family.

New parents often ask me three main questions:

• How much does newborn photography cost?
• Is it safe for my baby?
• How do I book a session?

I’ll answer all of these questions today. You’ll learn about pricing, safety steps, and the simple booking process. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what to expect from a newborn photo session.

Let’s talk about capturing those fleeting moments before they slip away.

Why Newborn Photography Matters

Your baby changes every single day. Those tiny features you want to remember? They grow and shift faster than you think.

In just two weeks, your newborn’s face will look different. Their sleepy poses become wiggly movements. Those curled-up positions they loved in the womb? Gone.

Here’s what I see with Quad Cities families. Parents think they’ll remember everything about their baby’s first days. But life gets busy. Sleep gets short. The details start to blur together.

Professional photos freeze those moments in time. You get to see your baby’s button nose forever. Those perfect little eyelashes. The way their hand fits in yours.

Many Bettendorf and Davenport parents tell me the same thing. They wish they had taken more photos of their first baby. They don’t want to make that mistake twice.

Your family deserves these memories. Not just phone pics, but real portraits that show how small and perfect your baby was. Photos you can hang on your wall and treasure for years.

When to Book Your Newborn Session

Book your session while you’re still pregnant. The second trimester works best for most moms. You can even email me right after you pee on a stick if you want to secure your spot early.

Why book so far ahead? I only take a limited number of newborn clients each month. Babies don’t follow due dates either. Some arrive two weeks early. Others take their sweet time.

When you book early, I block out time around your due date. This gives us flexibility when your little one decides to make their appearance.

Here’s what happens if you wait too long. You might find your favorite photographer is fully booked. Or you’re scrambling to find someone good while dealing with a brand new baby.

Moline and Rock Island families often ask if they can book after baby arrives. You can try, but I might not have availability. My calendar fills up months in advance.

The smart move? Get on my calendar as soon as you know you’re having a baby. We’ll work out all the details later. First, let’s make sure you have a spot reserved.

Styles of Newborn Photography

You have three main options for your newborn photos. Each style gives you something different.

Studio Sessions

Studio sessions happen at my photography space. I use soft lighting and beautiful backgrounds. Your baby gets posed with props like baskets, blankets, and headbands.

I have an LED wall that creates gorgeous light for family photos. For baby-only shots, I use professional flash lighting that’s gentle and safe.

Studio sessions give you those classic posed portraits. Think sleeping baby in a wooden bowl or wrapped up like a little burrito.

In-Home Sessions

Some families prefer photos at home. These sessions capture your real life with baby. We use natural light from your windows.

The photos show your nursery, your couch, your bed. Places where you actually spend time with your new baby. It feels more relaxed and natural.

In-home works great if you have other kids who might feel more comfortable at home.

Fresh 48 Sessions

Fresh 48 happens at the hospital within 48 hours of birth. These photos capture the very first moments with your baby.

You get real emotions, raw feelings, and genuine reactions. Dad holding baby for the first time. Siblings meeting their new brother or sister.

Fresh 48 photos look different from studio shots. They’re more about the story than perfect poses.

Safety First: How I Protect Your Baby

Your baby’s safety comes before getting the perfect shot. Always.

I never put a baby in a position that could hurt them. Those photos you see of babies hanging in hammocks? I use a technique called compositing. That means I take multiple safe photos and blend them together.

For poses like the bucket or bed shots, I always ask a parent to stay close by. I want hands ready to keep baby safe at all times. Even when you can’t see them in the final photo, someone is always there watching.

My studio stays clean and warm. I wash my hands constantly. All props get sanitized between sessions.

I’ve been photographing newborns for years. I know how to read baby’s cues. If your little one gets upset or uncomfortable, we stop and take a break.

Want to learn more about my safety practices? Check out my complete guide to newborn photo safety. Newborn Photography Safety | Quad Cities Newborn Photographer

Some poses look dangerous but aren’t. The “froggy pose” where baby’s head rests on their hands? I only do this pose at parents request and if baby is super sleepy. I never let go of your baby during that shot.

Parent safety matters too. New moms don’t need to worry about getting the perfect pose. That’s my job. Your job is to relax and enjoy watching your baby get pampered.

If something doesn’t feel right to you during the session, speak up. We can always try a different approach.

What to Expect in a Session

A typical newborn session takes 1-3 hours. That sounds long, but we work on baby’s schedule, not mine. It Also depends on which newborn package is booked.

Here’s how most sessions go:

Starting Out With Preferred and Precious packages, we begin with family and sibling photos first. I keep these short since toddlers don’t have long attention spans.

Getting Baby Sleepy I use white noise, gentle movements, and swaddling. Sometimes we need to stop for feeding or diaper changes. That’s totally normal.

The Posing Once baby is sleeping deeply, the poses depend on your package:

With Preferred or Precious packages, we do family photos. Next, we set up table poses on beautiful fabrics. After that, we move to props like baskets and bowls.

With the Petite Baby-Only package, we focus just on prop poses. No family photos or table setups with this option.

Don’t worry if your baby cries or won’t settle. I’ve seen it all. Fussy babies still make beautiful photos. Sometimes the alert, wide-eyed shots are the most precious ones.

Pricing & Packages

Let me be upfront about pricing. Quality newborn photography is an investment. But I offer packages that fit different budgets.

Main Packages

Preferred Package This is my top package and most popular choice. You get the full session plus more edited photos and extra time. It includes both baby-only shots and family photos. I typically recommend this for families with multiple children since you get more photos and more session time.

Precious Package My popular middle choice includes the full session with family photos, table poses, and props. Great for families who want the complete experience without the extras.

Petite Baby-Only Package A baby only option focused just on baby portraits with props. Perfect if you want beautiful newborn photos without family shots or the higher cost.

Add-On Options

• Extra digital composites for special artistic shots
• Extra high-resolution images
• Print packages and wall art
• Include Grandparents

Payment Plans

I know babies are expensive. That’s why I offer payment plans. You can split the cost over several months instead of paying everything upfront.

Prices vary based on the package you choose and any add-ons you want. I’ll give you exact pricing when we talk about your needs.

The investment covers my time, experience, professional equipment, and editing. You’re not just paying for pictures. You’re paying for art that lasts a lifetime.

How to Prepare (Quick Checklist)

Getting ready for your newborn session doesn’t have to stress you out. Here’s what you need to know:

Before You Come

• Feed baby right before leaving home. A full baby sleeps better during the session.
• Dress baby in something easy to remove. We’ll be changing outfits a few times.
• Pick your own outfits ahead of time. Solid colors work best. Avoid busy patterns.
• Bring extra diapers and wipes. Babies have perfect timing for messes.

What I Provide

• All props, blankets, and wraps for baby
• Headbands and accessories
• Different backdrop options
• Comfortable seating for parents

What You Should Bring

• Pacifier if baby uses one
• Extra clothes for yourself (spit-up happens)
• Any special items you want in photos
• Snacks and water for mom

Most Important Tip

Relax and enjoy this time. I handle all the posing and technical stuff. Your job is to watch your baby get pampered like a little prince or princess.

Don’t worry if things don’t go according to plan. The best sessions often happen when we go with the flow and let baby lead the way.

Real Session Examples

Let me share some recent sessions from families across the Quad Cities. These give you a feel for what we can create together.

Davenport Studio Session – Baby Girl

This baby girl’s session was so fun because we used colors I don’t typically get to use! We did gray, burgundy, cream, green, and mustard yellow. It was refreshing to work with such a unique color palette for a baby girl instead of the usual pinks.

Newborn Photography Quad Cities | Quad Cities Newborn Photo

Moline Studio Session – Baby Boy

This precious rainbow baby came to my studio for a Petite newborn-only session. We incorporated some rainbow colors to celebrate his special meaning to his family. We also used cream, blue, and green tones. He even gave us the cutest little smile during the session!

Newborn Photography Quad Cities | Moline Baby boy – littlehauflingsphotography.com

Bettendorf Studio Session – Sweet Baby Boy

This family finally got their baby boy after three daughters! His big sisters were so gentle and loving with their new brother. We did beautiful family photos. They showed all that sibling love. Then we moved to classic newborn poses with white and green fabrics. He even gave us some adorable smiles during the session. See more photos from this sweet family session here.

Quad Cities Newborn Photographer | Welcoming Baby Boy Bettendorf

How to Book

Ready to schedule your newborn session? Here’s exactly how it works:

Step 1: Get in Touch

Email or fill out the contact form on my website with your due date. I’ll check my calendar to see what’s available around that time.

Step 2: Choose Your Package

We’ll talk about which package fits your needs and budget. I’ll answer any questions you have about the process.

Step 3: Sign Contract and Pay Retainer

Once you decide to book, you’ll sign a simple contract. The retainer secures your spot on my calendar.

Step 4: Your Due Date Gets Reserved

I block out time around your due date. When baby arrives, you email me and we schedule the actual session.

Step 5: Session Day

We meet at my studio or your home for the photo session. After that, I send you a proofing gallery in 7-10 business days. You select your favorite photos and I finish the final retouching and deliver them within two weeks.

Important: I only take a limited number of newborn clients per month. This keeps my schedule flexible for when babies arrive early or late.

Don’t wait to book. Once my calendar fills up, you’ll have to wait until the next month. And your baby won’t stay tiny that long.

Contact me today to reserve your spot. Let’s capture these precious first days before they’re gone forever.

FAQs

Here are the questions Quad Cities parents ask me most often:

“What if my baby is fussy during the session?”

Fussy babies are totally normal. I build extra time into every session for feeding, changing, and soothing. Some of my favorite photos happen when babies are alert and looking around. We work with whatever mood your baby brings.

“Do you provide outfits and props?”

Yes! I have everything we need for baby’s photos. Wraps, headbands, baskets, and backdrops are all included. You just bring your baby and your normal essentials.

“How soon will I get my images?”

For studio sessions, you’ll receive your proofing gallery in 7-10 business days. Once you select your favorites, I deliver the final images in another 7-10 business days. I hand-edit every single image to make sure they’re perfect.

Fresh 48 and in-home sessions work differently. These have a storytelling nature, so you get 30+ edited images delivered in 3 weeks. No proofing gallery needed since I deliver the complete story.

“What if my baby arrives early or late?”

This is exactly why I book during pregnancy. I keep time flexible around your due date. Early babies and late babies are both fine. We adjust the schedule based on when your little one actually arrives.

“Can we include siblings and grandparents?”

Absolutely! Family photos are some of my favorites to take. I recommend keeping sibling portions shorter since little kids get tired quickly. Grandparents are always welcome too.

“What if I need to cancel or reschedule?”

Life happens, especially with newborns. We can reschedule if needed. The contract explains the cancellation policy in detail.

Ready to Capture These Precious Moments?

Your baby will never be this small again. Those tiny features, sleepy poses, and perfect little fingers change so quickly.

Professional newborn photos give you something to treasure forever. When your child is grown, you’ll look back at these images. You’ll remember exactly how perfect they were as a baby.

I keep every session safe, comfortable, and stress-free. You can relax knowing your baby is in experienced hands. All you have to do is enjoy watching your little one get pampered.

Families across Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline, and Rock Island trust me with their most precious moments. I’d love to create beautiful memories for your family too.

Ready to book your newborn photography session?

Don’t wait until after baby arrives. My calendar fills up months in advance. Reserve your spot now while you still can.

Contact me today to discuss your due date and package options. Let’s plan something beautiful for your growing family.

Your baby’s first photos are waiting to be taken. All we need is you! Click below to fill out my contact form so we can plan your session today!

Contact Little Hauflings Photography