There’s a reason you booked professional newborn photography—to freeze this fleeting stage in time with beautifully crafted baby pictures that make you swoon every time you glance at them. You envisioned soft, curled-up poses, sleepy eyelids, maybe even a little yawn or smile. But then the day arrives and your sweet baby decides, “Nope! Sleep is for the birds.”
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. At Kelly Saxon Photography, we specialize in newborn photography and have seen it all—from perfectly snoozing bundles to wide-eyed wiggle monsters. If your baby doesn’t sleep during their session, don’t worry. Truly. We’ve got it covered, and we’ll still create stunning images you’ll love for a lifetime.
Let’s walk through what to expect, what we do behind the scenes, and how you (as new parents) can feel empowered—not stressed—if your little one skips the snoozing.
First, Take a Deep Breath (Seriously)
Whether you’re sleep-deprived, navigating your first days as a parent, or just juggling a million things, adding one more worry to your plate isn’t helpful. We get it: you want those sleepy, squishy poses. But here’s the truth—some of the most heartfelt, emotional baby pictures happen when babies are wide-eyed and alert. Those big, curious gazes? Melt-worthy.
At Kelly Saxon Photography, located in Christiana, just a short drive from Nashville TN, we are trained and prepared for every possible newborn mood and moment. As one of the few photographers in the area who is double safety certified in newborn posing, safety and comfort are always our top priorities. So let go of the stress. We've got you.
Why Do Babies Sometimes Stay Awake?
There’s no single reason why some babies resist sleep during a session, but here are a few common culprits:
Growth spurts: They may be extra hungry.
Gas or tummy issues: Those tiny tummies can be sensitive.
Overstimulation: A new environment, smells, and sounds.
Curiosity: Yes, even days-old babies can be interested in what’s going on.
Your baby is not “bad” or “fussy.” They’re just being a baby—and that’s okay.
What We Do When Baby Won’t Sleep
Here at Kelly Saxon Photography, voted best maternity and newborn photography in Middle Tennessee, we’ve crafted a workflow built around flexibility and patience.
Here’s what we do when your newborn wants to be the star of the show—awake.
1. Wrap Magic
Swaddling works wonders. Even wide-awake babies love feeling snug and secure. We have a huge collection of soft wraps, textures, and colors in our private studio in Rutherford County, all ready to calm your little one. Many babies relax after being wrapped, and we can still get beautiful poses and angles—even without sleep.
2. Gentle Movement and Soothing
We may use gentle rocking, white noise, or warm hands to help lull baby into a restful state. Our studio is kept warm and cozy to mimic the womb-like environment, and our workflow is intentionally slow and soothing.
3. Awake Posing Techniques
Awake doesn’t mean we can’t pose. In fact, alert babies bring life and variety to your gallery. Eye contact with the camera? It’s rare and precious. Little fists and outstretched fingers? Adorable.
We’ll pose your baby in positions that support their head and neck naturally, while showcasing their features and expressions—even if they’re looking around wide-eyed.
4. Breaks as Needed
We follow your baby’s cues. If they need to nurse, bottle-feed, be changed, or simply snuggle in your arms for a bit—that’s exactly what we’ll do. Your session at Kelly Saxon Photography is not rushed.
Tips for New Parents: How You Can Help
While we handle most of the session, there are a few things you can do before arriving to help encourage sleepiness:
1. Try to keep baby awake before the session
A warm bath, some diaper-free time, or interaction can help tire them out.
2. Feed just before arriving
A full belly can often lead to a deep nap. We always build time into your session for a pre-shoot feeding.
3. Dress baby in loose clothing
Avoid anything that might leave marks on their skin—zip-up sleepers are best.
4. Stay calm
Babies pick up on their parents’ energy. If you’re relaxed, they’ll feel more secure too.
And remember—if nothing works and baby is just wide awake—we roll with it.
Your Baby Is Perfect Just As They Are
Let’s break a myth: newborn photography isn’t only about posed, sleepy images.
It’s about capturing your newborn exactly as they are—tiny fingers, squishy cheeks, curious eyes, little yawns, and all the unique details that change way too quickly.
At Kelly Saxon Photography, serving Rutherford County and surrounding areas like Murfreesboro, Nolensville, and Franklin, we know that perfection doesn’t mean posed. It means real.
We’re here to photograph those early moments in a way that feels true to your experience, even if it’s a little messy, unscripted, or sleepless.
What You’ll Still Get (Even If Baby’s Awake)
Wondering what your final gallery will look like if baby doesn’t sleep? Spoiler: it’s going to be stunning.
Here's what’s still on the table:
Wrapped portraits with soft, serene vibes
Eye contact shots that are soulful and striking
Close-ups of details: toes, lashes, belly buttons, and more
Parent and sibling images filled with love and connection
Lifestyle moments of real-time bonding
In fact, many new parents fall in love with their “awake baby” photos even more than the posed, sleepy ones. There's so much personality in those wide eyes and curious looks.
Safety Is Always First
We cannot stress this enough: whether your baby is asleep or awake, safety is non-negotiable. As a double safety certified newborn posing expert, Kelly Saxon uses only the safest techniques and supports to ensure your baby is always secure.
We never force a pose or push a baby into a position they don’t naturally settle into. We don’t use unsafe props or cut corners. Everything we do is baby-led.
You can rest easy knowing your little one is in expert hands.
The Studio Experience: Designed for Comfort
Located in peaceful Christiana TN, just a short drive from Nashville TN, our studio is fully equipped with everything you need for a stress-free session:
Soft music and white noise for soothing atmosphere
A clean, sanitized environment (we’re parents too!)
Cozy seating for parents
Changing station and nursing area
A wide range of props, wraps, and outfits
From the moment you walk through our doors, we want you to feel like you’re in a warm, welcoming space—because you are.
Real Stories From Awake Sessions
Still feeling unsure? Let us tell you about a few real sessions we’ve had at Kelly Saxon Photography:
✨ Baby Hazel
Hazel decided she wanted to be part of the production team. Eyes wide open the entire time, she followed the sound of her mom’s voice, and we captured some of the most soulful, captivating images. Her parents later told us, “We’re so glad she didn’t sleep—we love these even more!”
✨ Baby Liam
Liam had a full belly and all the swaddles, but still no sleep. Instead, he gave us smirks, yawns, and the biggest blue eyes. His final gallery was filled with natural expressions, cozy wraps, and genuine moments between him and his big sister.
Your Gallery Will Be Beautiful—Promise
Whether baby snoozes peacefully or wants to stay awake for the action, we guarantee your gallery will be filled with timeless, heartfelt images.
Why?
Because you chose Kelly Saxon Photography, voted best maternity and newborn photography in Middle Tennessee, and because we believe every newborn deserves to be photographed with love, patience, and expertise—exactly as they are.
Maternity + Newborn = The Full Story
Many families choose to book our Belly to Baby Collection, which includes both maternity photography and newborn photography in one seamless package. It’s the perfect way to tell the full story—from bump to baby.
You’ll have access to our maternity client closet, our curated newborn wardrobe and props, and the full luxury experience in our Rutherford County studio.
It’s the best way to get it all—and it comes with the peace of mind that every step of your journey is in experienced, caring hands.
Final Thoughts: It’s All Going to Be Okay
You don’t have to stress about sleep schedules, wake windows, or fussy cries.
At Kelly Saxon Photography, we’ve photographed hundreds of babies, and each session is uniquely beautiful. Awake, asleep, or somewhere in between—your baby is perfect, and their story deserves to be told with care and creativity.
So if your newborn won’t sleep during your session? Don’t worry.
We’ve got you. And you’re going to love what we create together.