Mini Newborn Sessions: Why Less Time Creates Better Photos

A Newborn Session Revolution

I used to think 3 hours was the golden standard for newborn photography. The selling point? Plenty of time to stop for cuddles and feeding, ample opportunity for posing, and a wide variety of images to choose from…

But I’ve had a change of heart as we’ve been using a new approach at Glean & Co – the mini newborn session that takes just 90 minutes.

Here’s the crazy thing I discovered: did you know that new moms and dads are tired? (weird, right???) They’re also overwhelmed, busy, and did I mention tired? While newborn photographers like myself have been trying to sell you on how great it will be to spend this relaxed time together, all your husband is hearing is “3 HOURS? Are you F-ing kidding me? No.” And you’re thinking, “My 2 year old will never in a million years last 3 hours. I guess we just won’t have newborn photos taken.”

So how do we cut the session time in half and still create a wide variety of images capturing this fleeting stage? The answer is simpler than you might think.

The 5-Hour Newborn Session: A Cautionary Tale

Recently, a potential client called about scheduling a mini newborn session for her second baby. As I always do, I asked if she had experience with professional newborn photography for her first child. She said yes and mentioned she had gone to another popular newborn photographer here in Boise.

Curious, I asked, “May I ask why you’ve decided not to go back to her?”

The client’s response shocked me: “Well, honestly, she didn’t tell us how long the session would be and we were there for FIVE HOURS.”

Five hours?!?

Mind you, this wasn’t a new photographer. She’s an experienced, well-known newborn educator in our area. I know she knows what she’s doing, and she’s an incredibly talented artist. My guess is that her perfect Instagram feed—with all those little fingers and toes perfectly posed—comes at the cost of extremely long sessions where she makes sure every detail is just right.

Don’t get me wrong, it drives me crazy too when a baby’s hands are balled into fists instead of perfectly laying flat. But here’s what I’ve realized over my 8 years of photographing newborns: parents don’t actually care about that level of perfection. They want the photo, sure, but they don’t fixate on the fingers—they see their baby’s beautiful face.

It’s simply unnecessary to spend all that extra time perfecting poses to newborn photography perfection when parents are going to love simpler poses just as much—poses that require much less fuss to get right.

Enter the 90-minute mini newborn session.

Why 90 Minutes Mini Newborn Sessions Work Better

For Parents: Less Stress, More Joy

The traditional 3-hour newborn session (or worse, an unexpected 5-hour marathon) can feel like an eternity for exhausted new parents. You’re already functioning on minimal sleep, possibly managing older siblings, and trying to navigate the overwhelming early days of parenthood. The last thing you need is a half-day commitment.

Our mini newborn session is designed with your sanity in mind:

• Focused energy: Both you and your older children (yes that includes dad) can maintain higher energy for a shorter session
• Easier to schedule: Finding a 90-minute window is more manageable than blocking off half a day, particularly for partners who have already gone back to work.
• Sibling-friendly: Older children have a much better chance of cooperating for a shorter timeframe
• Less preparation stress: The shorter timeline means less pressure to “get everything right”

As one client recently told me after her mini newborn session: “I was dreading a long photoshoot with a newborn and toddler, but the 90 minutes flew by and everyone actually had fun!”

For Photographers: Quality Over Quantity

Fellow photographers, listen up: this approach isn’t just better for clients – it’s better for your art and business too. When I switched to the mini newborn session format, I found:

• More authentic moments: The energy stays high, resulting in more genuine expressions and interactions
• Creative focus: With less time, you’re forced to prioritize the most impactful setups
• Better client experience: Happier, less-stressed families make for better photos and word-of-mouth referrals
• More efficient workflow: Shorter sessions mean more predictable editing timelines
• Less physical strain: Newborn photography is physically demanding – shorter sessions reduce fatigue

The Family-Centered Approach

The real magic of the 90 minutes newborn session is what we eliminate and what we emphasize instead.

What We Skip: Complex Posed Setups

The studio newborn poses are where photographers typically spend the majority of session time – settling babies into complicated positions like buckets and bowls, waiting for deep sleep, and meticulously arranging everything just so. These setups can eat up two plus hours or more of session time.

What We Prioritize: Human Connection

Here’s what I’ve been discovering – parents’ hands make much better props than buckets or bowls. And babies like them much better too.

Our mini newborn sessions focus on:

• Family interactions: Parents holding, kissing, and loving on their baby
• Simple, natural poses: Baby on a blanket, in arms, at the breast or bottle
• Parent portraits: Individual shots of mom and dad with baby
• Sibling connections: Quick, fun moments between baby and siblings
• A few simple “baby details”: Those tiny fingers, toes, and eyelashes

And don’t worry, we still get tons of individual shots of baby! Wrapped babies are quick and easy to pose and create beautiful studio style images in a much shorter amount of time.

How Long Do Newborn Photos Take?

This is probably the most common question I get from expectant parents, and the answer varies dramatically from photographer to photographer.

Traditional newborn photography sessions can range anywhere from 2-5 hours, with many photographers advertising a 3-4 hour timeframe. These longer sessions are designed to allow for:

• Multiple outfit/wrap/backdrop changes
• Feeding breaks and diaper changes
• Time for baby to fall into deep sleep
• Complex posed setups
• Family and sibling photos

But here’s my hot take: it doesn’t need to take that long.

At Glean & Co, we’ve perfected the mini newborn session that takes just 90 minutes while still delivering a beautiful variety of images. By focusing on the poses and setups that matter most to parents, working efficiently, and keeping energy high, we create a gallery that rivals those from much longer sessions.

The reality is that babies (and their parents!) do better with shorter sessions. A newborn’s tolerance for being handled and posed is limited, and their need to eat is frequent. By working within their natural rhythms rather than trying to manipulate them into lengthy sessions, we get more authentic results in less time.

Many clients tell us they specifically chose our mini newborn session because the shorter timeframe felt manageable during the overwhelming newborn period. And not a single one has ever said they wished the session had been longer!

How to Prepare for a Mini Newborn Session

Whether you’re joining us at Glean & Co or working with another photographer who offers streamlined sessions, here’s how to make the most of your mini newborn session:

For Parents:

1. Feed baby right before: A full baby is more likely to be content
2. Dress simply: Neutral colors and minimal patterns work best
3. Arrive on time: Every minute counts in a shorter session
4. Bring only essentials: Pacifier, extra bottle, diapers, wipes
5. Communicate priorities: Let your photographer know which shots matter most to you

For Photographers:

1. Plan your shot list: Know exactly which setups you’ll prioritize
2. Prepare your space: Have everything ready before the family arrives
3. Start with family shots: Capture these while everyone is fresh
4. Keep transitions quick: Have helping hands to move between setups
5. Watch the clock: Allow time for feeding breaks while still maintaining pace

The Proof is in the Portraits

I’m officially a convert and wholeheartedly believe in this family-centered approach. Since implementing our 90 minute newborn session format, we’ve seen happier families, more emotional connections in photos, and frankly, better results.

Most importantly, more families are choosing to document this precious time because the shorter session format makes professional newborn photography accessible even with busy schedules, active siblings, and the general chaos of new parenthood.

As one exhausted new mom told me recently, “I almost canceled because I was so tired, but a 90-minute mini session felt doable – and now I’m so grateful we have these photos.”

Book Your Mini Newborn Session

If you’re expecting a new baby in the Boise area, we’d love to welcome you to the studio for our streamlined, family-centered mini newborn session. Contact us to secure your date – we typically book 2-3 months in advance. We also offer online booking! Check due date availability and book online here.

For my fellow photographers – I encourage you to try this approach. You might be surprised how liberating it feels to create more with less time, while delivering an experience your clients will genuinely enjoy.

Have questions about our mini newborn session approach? Reach out to us at hello@gleanandco.com! We’d love to hear from you!