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4201 Hamilton Ave
San Jose, CA, 95130
United States

Bay Area Newborn, Maternity, Family Photographer, serving San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Menlo Park, Santa Clara

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Bay Area Newborn Photographer | What to Expect & How to Prepare

Ozlem Bal Herdem

Bay Area Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photography | Menlo Park | Palo Alto

Welcome to the world of newborn photography! As a Bay Area newborn photographer serving families in Palo Alto, San Jose, Sunnyvale, and beyond, I’ve had the honor of capturing hundreds of beautiful newborn sessions. Whether you’re specifically looking for newborn photography near me or just starting to explore your options, this guide will help you feel informed and ready for your baby’s first photo shoot.

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photo Shoot

1. Choose an Experienced Bay Area Newborn Photographer
It’s essential to work with a photographer who specializes in newborn sessions and understands the importance of safety, comfort, and style. Review their portfolio, ask about their experience, and be sure their editing and posing style aligns with your vision.

2. Book Early
Newborns photograph best between 7 and 14 days old, when they’re still very sleepy and naturally curled up. It’s best to reserve your session before your due date to ensure availability with your preferred photographer.

3. Plan Your Outfits
Stick to soft, neutral colors that won’t distract from your baby’s features. Avoid bold prints, bright colors, or logos. Coordinated outfits for parents and siblings help create timeless, cohesive images.

4. Prepare the Space (If In-Home)
If your session will take place at home, choose a room with good natural light and clear away visual distractions. Open the blinds, straighten up surfaces, and make sure your baby’s essentials are nearby.

5. Pack the Essentials
Bring or prepare diapers, wipes, pacifiers, swaddles, burp cloths, and a change of clothes. Your photographer will likely provide wraps and props, but feel free to bring any special items you’d like to include.

6. Be Flexible
Babies are unpredictable — and that’s okay. Fussiness, breaks for feeding, and diaper changes are expected. Trust your photographer and enjoy the process.

Making Your Baby Comfortable During the Session

  • Keep the Room Warm: A warm space helps babies feel safe and sleepy, especially if they’ll be swaddled or unclothed.

  • Use White Noise: Gentle white noise can soothe a fussy baby and help them settle more easily.

  • Feed Before the Session: A full belly leads to a relaxed baby. Plan to feed just before the session begins.

  • Swaddling Helps: Your photographer will likely swaddle the baby for comfort and positioning — this encourages sleep and calm.

  • Take Breaks as Needed: Don’t worry if your baby needs extra time — a calm environment leads to better images.

Tips for Creating Meaningful Newborn Photos

  • Add Personal Touches: Incorporate heirlooms, blankets, or sentimental items to make the session feel unique.

  • Capture Candid Moments: The yawn, the snuggle, the little stretch — these unscripted moments often become favorites.

  • Get In the Frame: Parents sometimes hesitate, but you’ll treasure those early photos holding your newborn. Even simple, natural portraits are powerful.

  • Consider Lifestyle Sessions: In-home lifestyle newborn sessions offer a relaxed, story-driven alternative to posed studio shoots.

  • Display Your Photos: Don’t let your gallery live on a hard drive — print your favorites and fill your home with these early memories.

Ready to Book Your Newborn Session?

I serve families across the Bay Area, including Palo Alto, San Jose, Los Gatos, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale, offering both studio and in-home newborn photography. My approach is warm, safe, and baby-led — focused on capturing the tenderness and beauty of your baby’s earliest days.

View my newborn portfolio or Contact me to reserve your session.


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Palo Alto, CA Newborn Photographer | Bay Area Newborn Photography

Ozlem Bal Herdem

Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | Bay Area Newborn Photography

If you're looking for a newborn photographer near Palo Alto, you're in the right place. Today, I’m sharing highlights from a beautiful in-studio session with a sweet 10-day-old baby girl — and why newborn photography is so meaningful in the earliest days of life.

As a Bay Area newborn photographer, I specialize in creating timeless, simple portraits that focus on the purity and softness of your baby. With families traveling from Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, and surrounding areas, I aim to make each session peaceful, safe, and memorable.

The Best Time for Newborn Photos

Newborn sessions are ideally scheduled when your baby is between 7–14 days old. This is when they’re the sleepiest, snuggliest, and easiest to gently pose in those womb-like curled-up positions. Babies change so quickly in those early weeks — it’s a magical time to preserve their tiniest details.

We photograph newborns in a quiet, cozy space with soft natural lighting, gentle wraps, and a calming flow that allows plenty of time for feeding, diaper changes, and soothing. Whether you’re local to Palo Alto or anywhere in the Bay Area, the experience is designed to be stress-free.

Natural, Minimalist Newborn Portraits

My style is soft, neutral, and baby-led. I love working with natural colors, timeless wraps, and simple backgrounds that highlight your baby’s features without overwhelming the scene. I believe less is more — no flashy props or distracting accessories, just warm, heartfelt portraits that feel personal and pure.

Each baby is unique, and I take time to get to know you and understand what matters most to your family. We plan your color preferences and styling ahead of time to create a session that reflects your vision.

Why Parents in Palo Alto Trust My Studio

Working with newborns requires patience, experience, and a deep understanding of how to keep babies calm, safe, and comfortable. I’ve worked with hundreds of families in Palo Alto, San Jose, Los Altos, Menlo Park, and Sunnyvale — and many of them return for milestone and family sessions as their babies grow.

My studio in West San Jose is a short drive from Palo Alto and offers a fully stocked setup, including wraps, headbands, bonnets, and client wardrobe options for moms. You just bring your baby — I’ll take care of the rest.

Ready to Plan Your Newborn Session?

Whether you're in Palo Alto or anywhere in the South Bay, I’d love to help you preserve your baby’s first days in a way that’s peaceful, professional, and truly timeless.

View my newborn portfolio or Contact me to inquire about availability.

Bay Area Newborn Photography | Bay Area Maternity, Newborn, Family Photography

Ozlem Bal Herdem

Bay Area Newborn Photographer | San Mateo Newborn Photography

As a professional newborn photographer in the Bay Area, I am passionate about capturing those first precious moments of life. Newborn photography is a special art that requires patience, skill, and a gentle touch. Capturing the innocence and beauty of a newborn baby is a once in a lifetime experience, and it is my privilege to be a part of that journey.

A newborn photoshoot is one of the most important and meaningful events in a family's life. The photoshoot is a time to bond with your new baby, create memories, and document the beginning of your family's story. The photos taken during this time are timeless treasures that will be treasured for years to come.

A newborn photoshoot should be scheduled within the first two weeks of the baby's life. This is when the baby is at their sleepiest and most flexible, making it the perfect time for capturing those adorable curled up poses. During this time, the baby's skin is still soft, their eyes are still closed, and their little faces are still chubby and round. All of these factors make for the perfect newborn photo.

As a Bay Area newborn photographer, I understand that each baby and family is unique. That's why I offer customized newborn photoshoots to fit your individual needs and preferences. Whether you want classic, posed shots or more natural, lifestyle images, I will work with you to create a photoshoot that reflects your family's personality and style.

In addition to individual baby photoshoots, I also offer newborn family photos. These photoshoots are a wonderful way to document the love and bond between parents and their new baby. Whether it's a photo of the entire family snuggled up on the couch or a solo shot of Mom and Dad with their new addition, these photos are sure to be cherished for years to come.

Before your newborn photoshoot, I will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for the session. This will include information on what to wear, how to soothe and settle your baby, and how to prepare your home for the photoshoot. During the photoshoot, I will take the time to get to know your baby and their unique personality. This will help me to capture those special moments and expressions that make each newborn photo truly one of a kind.

When it comes to newborn photography, safety is of the utmost importance. As a Bay Area newborn photographer, I have extensive experience handling and posing newborns. I use only safe and tested posing techniques, and all props and accessories are thoroughly cleaned before each use.

After your newborn photoshoot, I will carefully edit and retouch each photo to ensure that they are as beautiful and perfect as possible. You will receive a digital gallery of high-resolution images that you can download, share, and print. These photos will be a treasured keepsake for generations to come.

In conclusion, as a professional newborn photographer, I am honored to be a part of the joyous and special time of a family's life. A newborn family photoshoot is a unique opportunity to document the beginning of your family's story, and I am committed to capturing those memories in a beautiful, timeless, and creative way. If you are looking for a Bay Area newborn photographer, I would be honored to be a part of your journey.

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San Francisco, Bay Area Cake Smash Photographer | Palo Alto | Mountain View, CA

Ozlem Bal Herdem

San Francisco, Bay Area Cake Smash Photographer | Palo Alto | Mountain View, CA


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Santa Clara Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer in Bay Area

Ozlem Bal Herdem

Santa Clara Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer in Bay Area

As a professional newborn photographer in the Bay Area, I have the privilege of capturing some of the most precious moments in a family's life. Newborn photography is an art form that requires patience, creativity, and technical skill, and I feel honored to be a part of this special time for families.

When new parents are searching for "newborn photography near me", they are looking for someone who can capture their little one's innocence and beauty in a way that they will treasure forever. They want someone who can create images that they will look back on with love and nostalgia, and who will help them remember this fleeting moment in their lives. That's where I come in!

I've been a Bay Area newborn photographer for 10 years now, and I've learned that every baby is unique and special. Every baby has their own personality and their own quirks, and it's my job to bring that out in my photos. I take great care to create a comfortable and safe environment for each and every baby, and I work hard to make sure that each family feels relaxed and at ease during their newborn photo shoot.

One of my favorite parts of being a newborn photographer is creating newborn family photos. I love capturing the bond between a new baby and their parents, and the love that is so clearly visible in their eyes. These images are some of the most precious that families will have, and I take great care to make sure that each one is perfect.

In preparation for a newborn photo shoot, I work closely with each family to understand their vision for the images. I want to know what colors and styles they like, and what types of images are important to them.

On the day of the shoot, I have everything I need to create the perfect backdrop, lighting, and props in my studio for each shot. I like to create a natural and comfortable environment, so the baby feels at ease and the images look effortless and authentic.

During the baby photoshoot, I take a variety of images, from close-up portraits to full-body shots. I also like to capture some candid moments, so the family can see their baby in a more natural state. I believe that these images are just as important as the posed shots, and they often become some of the family's favorites.

After the photoshoot, I carefully select the best images and begin the process of editing and retouching. I use the latest software and techniques to enhance the images, but I always make sure that the final product looks natural and true to life. I want the family to see their baby just as they are, with all of their little imperfections and quirks.

Finally, I present the final images to the family, either as a digital file or as a beautiful print. I always encourage families to choose a mix of both, so they can enjoy their images on their computers, phones, and walls.

In conclusion, being a newborn photographer in the Bay Area is a truly special and rewarding experience. I love capturing these fleeting moments for families and helping them create memories that they will treasure forever. If you're searching for "newborn photography near me" or "newborn photography Bay Area", I would be honored to capture your baby's first days and create images that you will cherish for a lifetime.


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