How to prepare for your in-home lifestyle newborn session.
Life can be overwhelming when you first bring home your newborn baby. That’s why I love in-home newborn sessions, we keep things simple and take these photos from the comfort of your own home.
The work I will ask you to do to prepare for your lifestyle newborn session is very minimal.
Upon Arrival, I’ll look around and see where the optimal light is. We'll do the majority of photos in the areas that have the best natural light. Additionally, we can rearrange furniture as needed to ensure that we can also use any rooms that are meaningful to you. Most commonly, we’ll use the nursery, Master bedroom and common family room. However, we can also get great shots in hallways, archways, stairways, guest rooms, screen porches etc.
Prior to my arrival, a quick pick up of any clutter would help us make the most of our time. Your home does not need to be spotless but extra bottles etc. that accumulate on bedside tables can be set aside. If you run out of time or feel overwhelmed, don’t stress! I know this is a busy time for you and I don't want any added stress on you. I can help clear any areas needed for photos when I arrive.
When considering outfits, I find that babies photograph best in a swaddle, plain, fitted onesie or even just a diaper. Please have any outfits you think you may want to change baby into prepared so that we can easily swap out as we go. For Mom, please plan on something that is comfortable for your postpartum body. I want you to feel natural, beautiful and proud of what you’ve brought into this world. For the rest of the family, please wear clothing that is free of words and logos. Avoid any overly bright or neon colors. Please feel free to reach out to me directly with specific questions regarding outfits.
Adjusting the temperature, please keep the house at a comfortable temperature for the family. Keep in mind that baby may need to be changed a handful of times so keeping the space a tad bit warmer than usual may help ensure that baby doesn’t get too worked up during wardrobe changes. However, don’t crank it so high that everyone else is sweating and uncomfortable.
Feeding your newborn prior to my arrival is a great idea. However, I realize that schedules are unpredictable at this age. If baby is sleeping peacefully you can let them be. I allow up to 2 hours for newborn sessions so that we can take breaks for feeding as needed. I can also take nursing photos or bottle feeding photos while baby is being fed if you desire.
The session is typically finished within an hour, however, I allow for up to 2 hours as I stated above. Once we’re finished, with the photos, I can help you return any furniture to it’s original place and you can go back to enjoying your day at home.
