Your baby is going to be this small for about two weeks. Maybe three if you’re lucky. And then, slowly and then all at once, they won’t be. I know that sounds like something you’ve already heard, but it lands differently when you’re actually holding them — when they still curl their knees up to their chest and fit in the crook of your arm like they were made for it. Because they were. That’s exactly what I want to photograph. If you’re in La Cañada Flintridge and looking for a newborn photographer who keeps things real, relaxed, and genuinely beautiful without the production, here’s what working with me actually looks like.
The Problem with Most Newborn Photography
You’ve probably seen it. The baby curled into a tiny bowl. The headband bigger than their face. The elaborate set that looks like it took three hours to build and zero seconds to feel natural in. That’s not what I do. I believe your baby is the entire point of these photos — not the props around them. So I strip everything back. Soft light. Simple wraps and swaddles. Neutral tones. The result looks like your baby, not a styled scene built around them. If you’ve been searching for natural newborn photography and keep landing on sessions that feel a little too produced, this might be the breath of fresh air you were looking for.
What a Session with Me Actually Looks Like
Studio or In-Home — You Choose
Most families from La Cañada Flintridge make the short drive to my light-filled studio in Northeast LA (90065). It’s an easy trip from the San Gabriel Valley, and the space is set up specifically for newborns — warm, calm, and stocked with everything we need. That said, if staying home after your baby arrives feels like the right call, I offer in-home sessions too. Either way, we follow your baby’s lead completely.
No Time Limit, No Rush
Sessions are relaxed and unhurried. Plan for around two to three hours, but we’re not watching the clock. There’s built-in time for feeding, changing, soothing — whatever your baby needs. New babies have opinions, and we work with them, not against them.
What’s Included
- Portraits with parents and siblings (yes, you belong in these photos)
- Access to my studio wardrobe for moms — postpartum-friendly pieces that are actually flattering
- All wraps and knits your baby needs for the session
- A collection of retouched digital images
- A credit toward fine art prints, albums, or heirloom pieces if you want them
Every collection includes digital images, full stop. If you want to go further with prints or an album, I’ll help you design those too.
When to Book (and When It’s Not Too Late)
The sweet spot for newborn sessions is around 7 to 14 days old. At that age, babies are still sleepy, still curly, and settle easily into soft, snuggly poses. But here’s something I want you to know: it’s not too late if you’re past that window. I can photograph newborns in this natural style for several weeks beyond the two-week mark. So if you’re reading this with a three-week-old napping on your chest, reach out anyway. The best time to reserve your spot is while you’re still pregnant. That holds your place on my calendar, and we finalize the exact date once your baby arrives. I do sometimes have last-minute openings, so it’s always worth asking even if your due date is close.
Why This Matters (More Than You Might Think Right Now)
Here’s something I’ve noticed after photographing many new families: most moms don’t fully feel the pull toward these photos until their baby is already here — or until a few months have passed and they realize how much has already changed. That feeling of wanting to hold onto this exact moment? It grows. And the photos you have from these first weeks become something you’ll return to again and again — not just for yourself, but for your child someday. I’m a mom of older kids myself. The photos I have from their earliest days are among the things I treasure most, and I know I wish I had captured even more. That’s part of why I do this work. It’s a real privilege to be trusted with something this fleeting.
Ready to Talk?
Newborn sessions begin at $1,450 and include everything listed above — relaxed session with no time limit, parent and sibling portraits, studio wardrobe access for moms, wraps and knits for your baby, retouched digital images, and a credit toward prints. If you’re expecting in or around La Cañada Flintridge and this feels like the right fit, the next step is simple. Look through the work at arielcannonphoto.com and reach out with your due date. I’ll send over session details and we’ll go from there. Your baby is only going to be this small once. Let’s make sure you actually have photos of it.
