4 Things Every Newborn Mom Apologizes For (But Doesn't Need To)

As a newborn photographer, I meet a lot of moms in the trenches of survival mode. I get it! I was there too! You’re sleep deprived and trying to figure out the dos and don’ts of feeding your baby. You’re desperate to find some bit of normalcy, and you’ve just met 2 new people - your baby and the new you. But there is so much joy and so many sweet moments in this time as well, so you’ve hired a photographer so you never forget how tiny and precious this little baby once was. (And maybe you’d like to fill your feed with dreamy photos of your adorable family…). In the midst of this crazy time, almost all moms apologize for these 4 things. I’m here to tell you that 1) it’s normal! and 2) you don’t need to apologize!

1. I’m sorry my house is a mess

Don’t be! I fully expect your house to be a mess. I’d be sort of shocked if it wasn’t, actually. The first thing I do at every newborn photo session is take a little tour of the house to find the spots with the best lighting. From there, I’ll probably ask if I can move a few things (ie - the half empty water bottle sitting on your nightstand). I’ll tidy things up for the purposes of photos, and your house will look clean and clutter-free!

New mom and dad hold their newborn daughter while they sit in their bedroom in their Pittsburgh home.

2. I’m sorry my toddler is misbehaving

Don’t be! She’s not acting out of the ordinary. She’s acting like a 2 year old, because she is one! I’m used to that, believe me. I won’t bat an eye. Instead, I’ll suggest ideas that will help that older sibling get excited for photos and make the session more fun for her.

2 young children jump on their parents’ bed while their mom holds her newborn baby.

3. I’m sorry my newborn is crying

Don’t be! Babies cry. We can always take a break to make sure your newborn is well taken care of and having his or her needs met. I’ve built in time to allow for the unpredictable nature of babies - a blowout, multiple feedings, fussiness. Please don’t feel rushed!

New parents sit on their bed with their infant baby girl, smiling at her sweet face.

4. I’m sorry my dog is so excited

Don’t be! I LOVE dogs, and I am super excited to meet yours! There’s no need to hide your dog in a room until they’re needed in a photo. In fact, having the dog around while we take other photos may help your dog calm down. If you don’t want your dog walking in and out of photos, feel free to shut the door. But if you’re ok with your dog in photos, I am too! That’s life, and I’m here to photograph life.

A newborn, wrapped in a green swaddle, lays on a bed. The family dog sits behind the baby, smiling.

The moral of the story is that I’m not here to judge you. I’m not here to stress you out or rush you. I’m here to take beautiful photos of your family. I want the time to be enjoyable for you, and I want the photos to capture all the love within your family.

Kelsey Cunningham 6/24/21 Kelsey Cunningham 6/24/21

Summer Photo Sessions vs Fall Photo Sessions

Last year, almost half of my photo sessions took place in the months of October or November. Most photographers will agree that the fall is their busiest season by far! But is that warranted? If you’re debating between booking now or booking later, check out the benefits of each -

Benefits of Booking a Spring or Summer Photo Shoot

Warm weather means you get to wear what you want and not worrying about bundling up. Warm weather also means that your kids won’t be grouchy about the cold weather, and they won’t have red noses!
Your photographer has more availability. The days are long (weekday shoot anyone?!) and the calendars aren’t quite so packed with other sessions.
Many locations have beautiful flowers in the summer and spring.
You won’t have to stress about Christmas cards, because you’ll already have the perfect photo picked out!

A Pittsburgh family stands and smiles. Mom and dad are holding their daughter.

Benefits of Booking a Fall Photo Shoot

Fall foliage is beautiful in Pittsburgh!
Sometimes fall days feel just perfect, which means no one is sweating in pictures.
Your Christmas card will have the most up-to-date photo of your family.

3 young boys, brothers sit on the ground in their fall sweaters, surrounded by fall foliage.

If you’re still Team Fall Photos, then great! Book early and snag the date of your choice. But there’s still time to take advantage of the beautiful warm weather in Pittsburgh. :)

Kelsey Cunningham 5/25/21 Kelsey Cunningham 5/25/21

Mini Sessions vs Full Sessions

A lot of people ask me if I offer mini sessions. The answer is, yes! Sometimes I do. Make sure to sign up for email notifications and follow me on Instagram (@kelseycunninghamphoto) if you want to be in the know when mini sessions are happening.

But now I have a question for you: do you actually want a mini session? Let’s chat about the options!

Mini Sessions

Mini sessions usually last 15 minutes and include a full gallery of images for download.

With the shortened session length, you spend less than you would with a full session.
Mini sessions aren’t for everyone! Mini sessions are great for families with 1 child, families with older kids, and families with kids who are very cooperative.
Minis provide an opportunity for a quick burst of photos that even Dad won’t mind too much. Some families opt to do a mini session multiple times each year to celebrate milestones or capture the fast change of growing littles.
Mini sessions are great for cold temps! I totally get that many kids can’t last much more than 15 minutes outside when it’s cold.
Minis are not for people who are always running late. I schedule mini sessions back to back, so if you can’t handle the stress of arriving early/on time, a mini session is not for you.

Full Sessions

Full sessions last about 45-60 minutes and include a full gallery of images for download.

While full sessions are more expensive than minis, you will always receive a larger gallery if you have a longer session.
Having more time for photos means your gallery will have a larger variety of poses and backdrops. We’ll also have more time for candid moments and those in-between images that everyone loves!
Clients who book full sessions usually get to select their start time and location. (But don’t worry…I’ll provide guidance on timing and always send you my Location Guide so you can see all my favorite spots around Pittsburgh.) Full session clients can also opt to have photos taken at their home!
Some kids need a little time to warm up. Full sessions allow time for kids who are timid at first. We can move at a more leisurely pace, exploring nature or playing little games until your little ones are smiling naturally!

There’s a time and a place for mini sessions, and that’s why I offer them! They can be a great option for many families, but they’re not right for everyone.

A family stands in front of an iconic photog backdrop in Pittsburgh's Mellon Park. Everyone is smiling big and looking at the camera.

This blog was updated on 1/14/26.