I love lifestyle newborn sessions because parents can look back at the pictures and remember everything about what their baby was like in those first few weeks: the tiny toes, the weight in your arms, the little sleepy yawns, and all of the love you felt during that time. It flies by so quickly. I love that the pictures reflect REAL LIFE and the real emotions you are feeling - all in the comfort of your own home and in the place where you will spend countless hours rocking your baby to sleep, feeding him, and snuggling.

While I never want parents to stress before a newborn photo session in their home (don’t worry about having a spotless house), these tips will help prepare you and your home before I come over!

Lighting is everything

Lighting plays a crucial role in capturing beautiful photographs. To me, it’s far more important than location. I want as much natural light as possible when I’m taking your newborn pictures. So it’s best to decide ahead of time what room in your house we’ll be using (possibly the baby’s room or your master bedroom) and then determine what time of day that room gets the best light. Open the curtains wide, turn off any artificial lights, and let the sun shine.

timing

Newborns tend to sleep a lot during their first few weeks, so it's best to take advantage of this time for your photo session if you want sleeping baby pictures. However, if you want more playful pictures, it’s best to schedule the session for around 6 weeks of age. Either way, feed your baby about 20 minutes before my arrival so they are nice and full.

Outfits

For my editing style as a photographer, the best colors are neutrals and pastels. White is always perfect! Outfits that photograph well are flowy sundresses, soft sweaters, khakis (for dad), etc. For baby’s outfits, choose one solid outfit such as a white onesie or a muslin swaddle and another outfit that is a bit more fun. And have a backup outfit in case of blowouts and spit up!

additional tips

Lifestyle newborn photography is all about capturing your baby in their natural state.

Try to keep the surroundings as simple and natural as possible. Avoid using props and accessories that might detract from your baby. Instead, we’ll focus on their delicate features and the special moments they share with mom and dad. Also, it’s best to use neutral colored crib sheets for the photo session because colorful, patterned sheets can cast colors onto baby’s face.