So, you’ve decided that in home lifestyle newborn is right for you- you love how it feels to be in your own home, not having to deal with leaving the house with a newborn, and are excited to look back at these memories of not only your family, but your home during this chapter in your life. Below is a checklist to help you prepare you and your home for the photo session!
The Home: De-clutter and pick up the nursery, master bedroom, and living room. If you don't love your comforter, simply cover it with a plain blanket. Don't love one of those rooms? Just know that the less rooms we use, the less variety of photos you will have. Be sure to consider the style and colors of your home as well. If you love the light and bright look of photos, but your walls and woodwork are all dark, your photos won't have the same feel as a home with light paint and white wood. I just like to add that disclaimer so you know what to expect and envision! Every home is unique and I assume you are doing an in-home session because you love your home and want to document this stage in life in that home.
Don't worry, I know what having a newborn is like, and cleaning my entire house while adjusting to having a newborn at home is not possible! All I ask is that you de-clutter the main rooms we'll be in - the nursery, the master bedroom, and the living room. Simply making the bed, de-cluttering nightstands etc. makes a world of difference!
2. Clothing - If you have a certain color scheme you're going for, please send it ahead of time and I will bring wraps/swaddles to go along with it. A photo of your nursery will help too, so please send me one if you'd like. You are welcome to provide your own wraps for the baby as well. For coordinating outfits of the family, I recommend not too matchy matchy, but simply adding similar color families throughout everyone's outfits. If you're at a loss, some of the most beautiful newborn photos are in simple white onesies and swaddles. I will bring plenty of wraps to the session, so if you don't know what to do, don't worry, I'll help when I arrive.
3. Temperature - Keep the home slightly warmer than normal. The baby will be wrapped, unwrapped, naked etc. throughout the session, so to keep them comfortable, calm and sleepy, let's keep it a little warmer than normal.
4. Siblings - If there are siblings, I am happy and excited to capture some family and sibling photos, but for the bulk of the time we will be focusing on just baby, and baby + mom and dad, so if possible, have grandparents or someone else around to help watch the siblings when we are getting photos of just mom, dad, and baby. If this isn't possible, don't worry, we'll make it work!
5. Feeding and Diapers - I know scheduling these is nearly impossible, but if you can, try to have the baby recently fed and changed when I arrive, then we can jump right into the session. I will always pause taking photos for however long is needed for feedings and changing throughout the session.
6. Timing - Most session last around 1.5 hours, but sometimes take up to 3 based on how often and for how long the baby feeds, how fussy they are etc. Mornings are by far the best time for newborn sessions due to the witching hour often setting in late afternoon.
7. Posed photos/typical schedule - Usually the baby is awake when I arrive and we go from room to room doing family photos, sibling photos, baby alone in the nursery, and baby with mom and dad. Normally abou this time the baby is read to be changed, fed, and is getting sleepy. During the changing and feeding I will set up my traveling backdrop/newborn posing beanbag to try to get some posed photos of the baby asleep on the posing beanbag and in a basket if we have time and are up for it.
I can't wait to meet you and your family! Don't hesitate to reach out with questions!
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