As an Orange County newborn photographer, I’ve had the privilege of stepping into hundreds of homes in those magical, bleary-eyed first weeks after a baby arrives. And if there’s one thing I’ve noticed, it’s that the families who feel most at ease — the ones who are actually able to soak it all in — are the ones who did a little bit of preparing before baby came home.
I’m not talking about having a perfectly Pinterest-ready nursery. I’m talking about the practical, thoughtful kind of preparation that actually makes a difference in those first weeks. Here are the five things I recommend to every family I work with.

