Everything You Need to Know
Please read this section carefully before your session. A well-prepared visit means more time for beautiful photographs and a happier, more relaxed baby.
The ideal window is within the first 5–14 days of life. Babies sleep deeply, curl naturally, and are most flexible. Book during your pregnancy — ideally between weeks 28–32 — so we can pencil in a flexible date around your due date and confirm as soon as your baby arrives.
Feed your baby immediately before leaving home — a full, content baby sleeps deeply and settles quickly. Avoid bathing your baby on the morning of the session as this can stimulate them. Keep your baby awake for the 30 minutes before arriving to encourage deep sleep during the session.
Please allow 2–4 hours from arrival to completion. We never rush a newborn session. Time is spent settling, feeding breaks, nappy changes, and gentle posing. Your patience during this time is the single most important thing you can bring to the session.
Neutral, earthy tones work beautifully — creams, whites, soft greys, and muted pastels. Avoid bold prints, logos, or very bright colours. Coordinate loosely rather than matching exactly. We recommend comfortable clothing you feel confident in. Bring a spare top in case of spills.
Absolutely. Our studio is kept at a warm, consistent temperature — typically between 26–28°C. Newborns are most comfortable and sleepy when warm. We recommend dressing yourself in layers so you can adjust comfortably. The studio will feel warm to adults but is perfectly calibrated for your baby's comfort and safety.
Baby safety is our absolute priority. All poses used at Baby Panda Studio are industry-standard, professionally trained techniques. We never force a baby into a position they resist, and we always maintain hand support. Composite posing techniques are used for any poses that require extra safety.
We recommend scheduling 1–2 weeks before your baby's first birthday. This gives you beautiful photographs to display at the party and allows time for printing. Book at least 4–6 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date.
Yes — please give your baby a light, regular meal approximately 1 hour before the session. A baby who is too hungry may be irritable, while a baby who is completely full may have no interest in the cake. A little appetite makes for the most joyful, expressive photographs.
Our all-inclusive Package 2 covers everything: a custom-designed smash cake coordinated to your chosen colour theme, a complete styled backdrop and decoration setup, a curated outfit for your baby, and all props. You arrive — we do everything else.
This happens and it is completely normal. We never force interaction. We use gentle encouragement, favourite toys, and parent participation to coax curiosity. Some of the most beautiful cake smash photographs are of babies looking at the cake with wide-eyed wonder.
Each session is allocated a specific time block. Arriving late shortens your own session time and may not allow for all setups in your package. Please plan to arrive 5 minutes early. If you are running late, please call us immediately.
Siblings and family members are warmly welcome for family portrait setups. For newborn sessions, we kindly ask that you limit additional guests to one or two people maximum, as too many voices can disturb a settling baby.
Please do not bring an unwell child to the studio. Contact us as early as possible — ideally the evening before — and we will reschedule your session with no penalty. A documented illness qualifies as a medical emergency for rescheduling purposes.
Absolutely — we love hearing your vision. Share your colour preferences and theme ideas when booking and we will incorporate them where possible. All setup decisions remain at the professional discretion of our photographer to ensure the most beautiful result.
Your fully retouched images are delivered via a private, password-protected online gallery within 4–6 weeks. High-resolution files suitable for printing at any size are included. The gallery link is active for 30 days from delivery — please download and back up your images promptly.
We do not provide previews or sneak peeks before the full gallery is complete. Every image has been individually retouched and colour-graded to the same high standard. The reveal of your complete, polished gallery is always worth it.