In-Home Newborn Session Prep Guide

Scheduling + Times

I offer in-home sessions because they are so easy for parents and I love the cozy, at home look SO MUCH! These sessions get to showcase your brand new family member in the comfort of their own home with their parents, siblings, and pets! Your baby changes SO MUCH in those first few weeks, so able to capture those first few days of life for parents in the comfort and familiarity of their own home is such an honor for me.

When do we schedule the newborn session? I typically advise parents to schedule as soon as they feel comfortable after birth! Truly, the ‘newer’ the baby, the better the session typically goes. I suggest within the first 5-10 days of life. The younger babe is typically the sleepier they are and more cooperative they are for pictures.

The best time for in-home sessions are during daylight hours. I usually try to have the session be in the early afternoon (noon - 2pm) so that we can have best light!

Prepping Your Home

I LOVE natural light and I love capturing your new babe and family in the natural light in your house! We will be embracing your home’s natural light (so completely open the curtains and/or blinds in the rooms in which you may want to photograph in.), turning off the overhead lights and taking advantage of the natural brightness as much as possible (another reason why I like doing these sessions during the bright part of the day). Even on the cloudiest (and even rainiest too!) days, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how much the outside light comes in to give you the best possible pictures!

Please de-clutter these spaces as much as possible. Floors, beds, tabletops, nightstands, etc. should be clear of books, coffee mugs, breast pump parts, etc. Less is more! I usually recommend just hauling everything into the kitchen or an office for the morning, then you can put it all back as soon as I leave. No need to go overboard cleaning the rooms (you just had a baby!), but clutter can be very distracting in photos.

Prepping Your Baby

Try and feed your baby 30 minutes to an hour before your session time. This ensures baby has a full belly and will hopefully be happy and cooperative for portraits! If you would like any feeding/nursing pictures, please let me know! I can absolutely capture that during the session…depending on when s/he is hungry!

Turn up that heat! Your baby spent 9 months in a very cozy and warm body, this means that baby will be happier in a warm environment. Turing your home’s heat to 75 or so is best! This also allows for babe to be comfortable for any naked/diaper pictures and isn’t so upset to have their clothes changed if the house is extra warm!

Interact with and keep baby awake for 1-2 hours before your session to ensure he/she is good and sleepy for the session. This is very important. Without this, we spend too much time getting them to sleep and not as much time photographing them. Stimulating baby with a bath or by doing ‘naked time’ prior to the session are some tricks that you can use! Please be sure to remove all bandages (from shots, etc) from baby’s skin at least one hour before your session. These bandages cannot be removed in post processing and, if left on, will show up in the final images.

Prepping Your Family

What to wear? This is totally up to you! I tell moms to pick their outift first and build others outfits around that. Neutral tones– tans, whites, creams, grays, or pastel blues or pinks are best. I do encourage moms to wear something comfortable and flowy so as not constricting on their fresh postpartum body. Having a light sweater or cardigan to go over your outfit works well too for pictures.

What To Expect During Your Session

Since this is a lifestyle session, I shoot very heavy on the candid and documentary nature of a session, I leave any ‘props’ that you’d want to include up to your discretion! I do usually bring one or two wraps as well as a hat or two for baby. Outfit/blanket changes are absolutely okay and I love when we get some a variety of pictures of babe in different outfits and blankets!

What types of pictures will I take? When I arrive in your home, you might have a nursery or even another room (loft, bedroom, etc) for me to photograph in. I usually will guide you to sit/lay/stand in a spot and get some images of you enjoying your newest addition. This session is so beautiful because it’s a little more unposed. It’s documenting you creating the memories of you and your family enjoying your new baby! So the more smiles, conversation, and cuddles, the better!