Moments are fleeting in the early days after welcoming your little one home. I’m honored to be welcomed into a family home during this season to record the intimate and precious moments as they swiftly pass.  But this season of life is also often filled with transitions, healing, exhaustion, learning and so much newness. A photo session shouldn’t add extra stress, so here I break down everything you need to know after booking an in-home lifestyle newborn photography session with me.

What to expect during the session:

• Newborn lifestyle sessions are all about the love and connection of a new family. It will be an easy photoshoot since mostly what you’ll need to do is interact and stare adoringly at your precious baby while I snap away. You won’t need to look at the camera until I ask you to do so. 
• I will take a few of the “Grandparent shots” of you looking at the camera and smiling.
• Most of the session will focus on capturing those deeper and more meaningful moments of connection between you and your baby.
• I will move around you to photograph intimate moments as organically and authentically as possible. This means I’ll probably have to climb on your bed to get great angles (please let me know if you are not comfortable with that).
• I’m on your time and your baby’s time. Meaning if your baby is hungry, your baby should eat. I am happy to wait during diaper changes or feedings, and many parents enjoy having photos of these integral moments too. 
• My work is all about capturing organic, natural, authentic, and emotive moments with your family. There won’t be any forced posing of you or baby, but I will offer gentle guidance around positioning to get the best angles, lighting and compositions.

How to prepare for the session:

• I recommend you choose three or four areas of your home or apartment that you spend a lot of life in and we can focus the session in those rooms. Clients often choose the master bedroom, nursery, sibling room if applicable, family room or kitchen.
• Many clients like to de-clutter those preselected areas of the home. Please also know it is always fine to leave your home in all of it’s real-life, messy authenticity. Either way, if I see something distracting in the background that will detract from the photo’s essence, I will ask if it’s ok to move it.
• Please make your bed with your favorite comforter.
• Tuck away anything you don’t want in the background of your images for the duration of the session.
• Newborns generally don’t fit well into clothing just yet. They can simply wear a diaper, and then you can choose your favorite swaddles or blankets to wrap them in. A simple onesie can also work well.
• Please set the home temperature to a nice and cozy one for the session to accommodate the baby. 65 degrees is usually just right to keep the baby comfortable but not so warm that sweat drips from your face! 
• Have fur-family? I’m happy to capture pets in the photographs too. You know your pet best, though, so please gauge what they will tolerate for photos and let me know.

What to Wear for Parents:

• Keep your clothing simple. Neutrals, earth, or muted tones work well with newborns to avoid color casts on the baby’s face. The baby is held close to your body during the session so it is best to avoid clothing that will reflect light and create a strong color cast on the baby. Bright greens, reds, and pinks tend to create the most noticeable color casts on the face so it is best to avoid those colors on top during a newborn shoot.
• For men, I recommend wearing a solid colored shirt with a pair of jeans or slacks. Plain, cotton or v-neck type shirts, flannels and chambray all photograph well. 
• Women can wear whatever makes them feel most beautiful during the session and what fits comfortably after having a baby. For some women, it’s leggings and a tunic sweater. Others love a beautiful, flowy dress. And still others, comfort and style is a t-shirt and jeans. All can work well, and it’s a matter of personal preference. 
• If you envision a more intimate look for your session with more raw moments, lots of skin-to-skin, and wearing lingerie or a kimono, this can also offer a beautiful aesthetic for sessions. Please let me know if this is what you are envisioning and we can make it happen.
• Remember that you’ll be seated in a lot of pictures, so find outfits that look and feel good seated as well as standing.
• Consider the style and design of your home and choose clothing to match that. If you’re unsure how or what to choose, don’t hesitate to email me some outfit options. I love styling, and I’m happy to let you know what I think will photograph best. 

What to Have Ready for the Session:

• In the lead up to the session, please remember to share your address with me.
• Heirlooms: remember to have out any sentimental objects you may want to be photographed or included in the session (a blanket made by Grandma, a particular stuffed animal, etc). 
• A variety of your favorite swaddles and blankets to wrap up the baby for various shots.
• Hats or headbands or any special outfit you may want to dress your baby in for particular photos.

Big Siblings at Lifestyle Newborn Sessions:

• Lifestyle newborn sessions with big siblings run a little differently.
• Typically I try to connect with the older sibling asking them to show me their room or find a favorite toy or book and we lead into the session that way.
• For older siblings, they will likely need breaks and that is ok. They can come and go as they please and I will also take pictures of them in their room and around the house playing and being themselves.
• For siblings outfits, anything goes, but the same colors mentioned above should be avoided.
• Think of activities the big sibling(s) enjoys and I will see if we can incorporate them into the session.

I’m excited and grateful to be invited into your home to photograph your growing family! Hopefully this guide has helped you feel a little more at ease as you prepare for your in-home lifestyle newborn photo session. I look forward to recording some magic with you!

**If you found this at-home newborn session prep guide, but have not yet booked your session, you can learn more about my session offerings and details here.