Nothing pulls at my heart more than the tiny newborns I have the honor of photographing. Choosing the right newborn photographer is such an important part of preserving this season, and I am so glad you are here. As both a mother and a photographer, I understand just how precious and quickly changing those first few weeks with a new baby can be. Capturing this exciting milestone does not have to feel stressful. My goal is to create a calm, relaxed newborn photography experience so you can focus on soaking in these sweet early days.
The first three weeks after your baby is born are often the ideal time for a newborn session because your little one is still extra sleepy, tiny, and naturally curled. But if you are already holding that sweet baby in your arms, do not worry it is never too late to reach out. I would love to help you document this season with a newborn photography session that fits your family, no matter how many days old your baby may be.
Now, let’s find the newborn session that feels like the best fit for your family. If planning your session feels overwhelming, I am here to guide you through the details so you can relax and enjoy the experience.
Congratulations on your new baby!
$500
Up to 1½ Hours | Baby + Family | In Your Home
A relaxed, storytelling newborn session photographed in the comfort of your own home. We'll capture baby alone, meaningful family connections and the little details of this season in the spaces where your first memories together are being made.
Perfect for you if: You love natural, emotional images and want your baby's first days documented in the comfort and familiarity of your own home.
$375
45 Minutes | Baby Only | 3 Prop Setups
A shorter studio session focused entirely on baby and those sweet, styled newborn portraits. Includes three carefully selected prop setups with baby wrapped to coordinate with each look.
Perfect for you if: You love styled newborn portraits and want a shorter, baby-only experience.
Family, sibling and posed fabric portraits are available with the Full Studio Newborn Session.
Short & Sweet Newborn
in Studio
$425
Up to 2 Hours | Baby + Family | Full Experience
The complete studio newborn experience with time for baby, parents and siblings. Includes styled prop setups, timeless posed fabric portraits, family images and plenty of variety throughout your gallery.
Perfect for you if: You want it all — beautifully posed newborn portraits, family and sibling images, and the most variety from your newborn session.
2- hour Session
in Studio
Newborn Collections
All sessions include a digital download album link of final edited photos with print release
Lifestyle Session in your home
$475
Natural Newborn
in studio
45 Minutes | Baby + Family | Natural Light
A relaxed, connection-focused studio session featuring baby in one outfit, natural baby-led portraits and meaningful images with parents and siblings.
Perfect for you if: You want family photos and plenty of baby moments, but prefer a simple, natural and connection-focused style.
Traditional props, studio lighting and posed fabric portraits are available with the Full Studio Newborn Session.
Studio Sessions
Full Studio Newborn Sessions offer the complete newborn photography experience with a beautiful blend of styled prop portraits, wrapped baby images, timeless fabric poses, and meaningful photos with parents and siblings. With up to two hours of session time, we have the flexibility to create plenty of variety while allowing extra time for feeding, soothing, and settling baby whenever needed.
One of the biggest perks clients love is how easy the process feels. You don't need to bring props or styling items — just your sweet baby and your family. I provide a large selection of wraps, blankets, hats, headbands, props, and other newborn photography accessories, and we'll work together to choose colors and styling that bring your vision to life.
The additional time also allows us to slow down and carefully create those beautiful posed newborn portraits while still capturing the connections that matter most — your whole family together, parents with baby, siblings with their newest little love, and all of those tiny newborn details you'll never want to forget.
If you love the beautiful styled and posed newborn images you see throughout my portfolio and also want family and sibling photos, the Full Studio Newborn Session is the perfect fit.
Prefer something simpler and more natural? My Simply Newborn Session offers a shorter, natural-light experience focused on baby-led portraits and family connection without traditional props or posed fabric portraits.
The Short & Sweet Newborn Mini Session is perfect for families who want to capture a few beautiful portraits of their new baby in a simple and relaxed way. This newborn mini session includes access to the fully stocked studio and many of the same stress-free, calming perks as the full newborn session, but in a shorter baby-only format.
This session lasts 45 minutes and includes three wrapped setups for baby only. Your baby will remain wrapped throughout the session, with a few different wrap options and set changes to highlight this beautiful newborn milestone. Detail shots of your baby’s tiny features, such as hands, feet, and other sweet newborn details, are also included. Please note that parent photos, sibling photos, and posed fabric images are not included in this session. Studio newborn sessions are held in Warrenton, Missouri by appointment only.
Full Newborn Session
Studio sessions are held in Warrenton, MO by appointment only.
Short & Sweet Newborn Mini Session
Simply Newborn Session
Simply Newborn Sessions offer a softer, more natural approach to newborn photography, with the focus on your baby just as they are and the connection between the people who love them most. Photographed entirely with beautiful natural light, these sessions blend simple baby-led portraits, tiny newborn details, and meaningful moments with parents and siblings for a relaxed and timeless feel.
Baby stays in one simple outfit throughout the session, allowing us to spend less time changing setups and more time capturing sweet expressions, little stretches, tiny hands and feet, snuggles, and genuine family connections. Baby will be photographed both alone and with family, with gentle guidance throughout the session so you never have to worry about what to do or how to pose.
Simply Newborn Sessions are up to 45 minutes and are intentionally kept simple and relaxed. Traditional props, studio lighting, wrapped setups, and posed fabric portraits are not included in this experience. If you love the styled and carefully posed newborn images you see throughout my portfolio and want those along with family and sibling photos, the Full Studio Newborn Session is the perfect fit.
Lifestyle Sessions
Your lifestyle newborn session takes place in the comfort of your own home and focuses on the connection, love, and everyday moments shared with the newest member of your family. Unlike studio newborn sessions, lifestyle newborn photography is more natural, relaxed, and lightly posed. These sessions often include meaningful moments like a big sibling peeking into the crib, your family snuggled together on the bed, or quiet time on the couch admiring your sweet new baby.
If siblings are part of the session, I usually begin with those photos first so they can relax and play afterward or take breaks as needed. I also love when family pets are included, because they are such an important part of your story too.
When it is time to focus on baby-only portraits, I typically do those when your baby is the sleepiest and most content. I photograph your baby swaddled or dressed in a simple sleeper or onesie in a way that feels natural and true to this season of life. I also bring a small selection of wraps, hats, headbands, and a basket for a few simple prop-style newborn photos. The rest of the baby-only images are kept soft, natural, and centered on your baby in their home environment.
If you are worried that your home is not “perfect” for a lifestyle newborn session, please do not stress. You just had a baby, and your home does not need to look flawless. The best thing you can do to prepare is open the blinds and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. I can easily move a few items out of the way as needed and gently adjust the space I am photographing so everything looks beautiful in your images. And yes, if I move furniture to find the best light, I will absolutely put it all back before I leave.
In your home Newborn Session
The J. Graeler Photography Experience
Booking your photography session should feel simple and stress-free. Here's how the process works:
1. Inquire About Your Session
Start by reaching out through the contact form with the type of session you’re interested in and your due date. I’ll respond with availability, session details, and the next steps to officially reserve your date. If you have an induction date we can set your date/session time upon booking. If not, you reach out once baby arrives (ideally while you are in the hospital) and I will send date/session time options asap!
2. Planning Your Session
Once your session is booked and I know your style preferences, you get session tips and info to prepare so you feel confident and excited going into your photography session.
3. Enjoy Your Session
During your session I provide gentle direction and natural posing so everyone feels comfortable. The goal is a relaxed experience that captures genuine connection and timeless portraits.
4. Receive Your Gallery
Within a few weeks you’ll receive a beautifully edited online gallery where you can download your high-resolution images and order professional prints or products.
Your third trimester is the most ideal time to book your session. Ideally while you are in the hospital still, reach out to set your session date and time. Ideally baby is 3 weeks or under at the time of the session. If your currently holding your sweet baby, or over the 3 week mark, reach out and let's chat.
When is it best to book?
FAQ
Yes! You can book a full or mini session for maternity sessions. If you book your maternity and newborn together you get a shorter session (if desired) at a lower price!
Do you offer maternity sessions?
Newborn Sessions
Ideally sessions happen within 3 weeks from birth. If you have an older baby, that's ok, reach out and let's chat. I have have babies up to 7 weeks old that we got a great newborn session. It is better to have a session when baby is older then no session at all!
When does the session take place?
FAQ
Newborn sessions can be overwhelming for new parents. Ideally it is your immediate family that attends the session. Adding other family members can be stressful.
Who can attend the session?
Newborn Sessions
The studio is located in Warrenton, MO! It is a fully functional studio ready for your newborn, milestone or family session!
Where is the studio located?
FAQ
If your currently holding your sweet baby, or over the 3 week mark, reach out and let's chat. That guideline does not mean your session cannot happen but booking early guarantees your session!
What if my baby is already here?
Newborn Sessions
Milestone Sessions
Your child’s first year passes unbelievably fast. Before you know it, they’re crawling, then standing, then walking. These firsts and special moments sometimes pass so quickly, you don’t have a chance to capture them. Scheduling regular milestone photo sessions throughout your little one’s first year allows you to have images marking each major change. From holding their head up to sitting to standing and walking, these sessions are the perfect way to capture your baby’s growth and development throughout their first year.
Each family prefers different milestones to be photographed, some prefer newborn and one year. Some prefer a newborn session, 3, 6, 9 & 12 months and nothing is wrong here, it is just what fits best for your family. I personally love the below milestone sessions below!
At this age, your baby should have the strength to hold their head up and push up with their arms. They will also have more expressive reactions and smile a little more, making this time the perfect opportunity to follow up your newborn photos with new images. You’ll be amazed at how much your child has changed in those four months!
A few months later, when your baby reaches eight months, they should be getting better at sitting up on their own and may be attempting a crawl, but haven’t taken off just yet. This stage of your little one’s life offers tons of new poses to capture and is the perfect time to book a photo session as it’s midway between their 4 month session and their first birthday.
Celebrate your child’s first birthday with a session to mark their shift into toddlerhood! Whether you choose to do a cake smash, birthday bath session or more of a standard portrait session, this is a memory you definitely want to capture. Your child will have mastered crawling and standing and may have even begun to take their first few toddling steps.
These sessions are by far my favorite sessions to capture those moments, you have a few options to capture these times. Both mini or full sessions available! For more information about session options for milestones, visit the portraits page. Note, anything that is available in the studio is open to use for your session. If you have a specific theme you would like to use for sessions, the client is responsible for providing those props. All cake smash cakes are provided by the client. Let's chat about what you envision and work together to see what we can pull together for the perfect session.
Document your little one as they grow!
The four month session
The eight month session
The one year session
Absolutely. I guide you every step of the way while keeping things natural and comfortable. You won’t be left wondering what to do. I’ll prompt movement, interaction, and connection so your photos feel authentic and effortless.
Do you help with posing?
Did you know I can document your family sessions also?
At any point of the year, I offer anytime full & mini session options. A few times a year I also offer Limited Edition Mini sessions. These are themed sessions at a lower price point and time frame.
I love working with kids. Are you worried about your little ones not sitting in one place and smiling? I understand, you put a lot of time into planning, outfits, getting everyone ready, etc. I get information from you before we shoot about the kids, any concerns, etc. and guess what? We play, we chat during the session, we act silly. I will prompt your family to do things which makes the kids forget we are taking photos!
What happens if my kids are.. well crazy?
Where does the session take place?
I love being able to have so many amazing local parks to be able to use for sessions! Do you love your home or land? Let's shoot there! Looking for something indoors? Let's plan your studio session!
Your home, local parks & the studio!
Book early is always best, reach out by website form or email to chat about your session and set up a date. Just browsing? Sign up for the newsletter, follow J. Graeler Photography on Facebook, add yourself to the J. Graeler Photography VIP Facebook page to see all the posting of sessions! Social media can be hard, so the newsletter is a great way to get started. To get added, inquire and note to add to the newsletter.
When is it best to book?
