Lifestyle Newborn Photography by Portland Newborn Photographer, The Motherhood Chronicles

Guide to your in-home newborn photography session

A lifestyle newborn session in the comfort of your own home is so special and because babies change so quickly, you’ll be so happy to have those brand-new moments captured. The main benefit of a lifestyle session for your newborn is the comfort and familiarity of your own home. No bundling baby up in the carseat, packing the diaper bag and rushing in the car to make it to yet another place at a certain time…whew!

When do we schedule a newborn session?

The beauty of lifestyle newborn photography means we can do photos whenever you and your family are ready. You might worry when you’re exhausted and in the thick of the postpartum fog that a photoshoot with a newborn baby is just too much, too overwhelming. The truth of it is though, that these sessions are so relaxed and laid back that there’s really not much to do beyond holding and cuddling your baby.

The best time of day for in-home sessions is usually in the morning (starting between 10am and noon usually gives the best light and happiest baby). I realize sometimes with siblings/family members this time frame is not always possible and I’ll do my best to work with whatever time works for your family. I like to be sure we aren’t interfering with napping toddler’s schedules, especially!

How long does a typical session last?

Most sessions last 1-2 hours but there really is no rush. I like to plan on extra time for feedings, diaper changes and calming fussy babes so there’s no pressure for the parents to produce a perfectly happy, sleepy baby! The session is totally baby/child led so there is no stress.

What about lighting in our house? What if it’s too dark?

We’ll be embracing your home’s natural light (open up those blinds!) and turning off all overhead lights. I’ll have you show me the rooms in your home and we might move some things out of the way to get close to windows for the light. When we take advantage of the natural light available, even on the dreary, overcast Pacific Northwest days, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how much outside light comes in to give you the best possible pictures.

If the natural light is just not sufficient enough in some spaces and you’d really like images in those rooms (think baby’s nursery or on the bed in your master bedroom), I’ll use flash at a very low power to bounce off of the ceiling, adding just enough light to still look natural but not at all ‘flashy’.

What should we wear?

What makes you feel good to wear? Usually simple is best and comfort is key but from your favorite cozy oversized sweater and leggings, to a pretty floral or linen dress, the options are endless for moms. I tell moms to pick their outfit first and build other family member’s outfits around that.

What kinds of outfits do you want to see your baby in? Something to keep in mind for baby’s clothing is the actual fit of their outfit. An outfit that fits them well and isn’t swallowing them (baby’s tend to not have much of a neck!) will make for great photos.

Subdued colors typically photograph best but if you have a particular outfit you just adore, we’ll embrace it! Try to avoid crazy bright and bold colors (neons), and shirts with logos, writing or characters on them because all that can take away from the overall feel and look of your images. We want the focus to be on your family, not what your shirt says.

On that same note, keep in mind your bedding/throws. There are some really wonderful colors and patterns out there (which is amazing and I love!), however, if you have a neutral sheet/blanket/comforter we might layer it on top. The reason being, bright and bold colors can cast shadows and colors on skin, leaving a tint of whatever color the blanket/clothing is.

Need more help deciding? Check out https://themotherhoodchronicles.com/2022/11/06/choosing-outfits-for-your-session/

What if my house isn’t Pinterest perfect and spotless?

Mine isn’t either and it definitely wasn’t when I had newborns in the house! Please resist any urge to deep clean your whole house before I come. There is zero need to impress me, like at all. I’m a mom of three boys and we live on a farm so at this point, nothing scares me. You really don’t need freshly mopped floors and dusted baseboards to have beautiful photos in a lifestyle newborn session! The focus will be your family with your sweet new baby.

On that same note though, we may do a quick declutter on counters/floors in the spaces we’ll be photographing in. Less is more when it comes to these type sessions and getting a timeless look.

Do you use or bring props?

Not typically! Being a lifestyle photographer, I tend to lean towards less is more. My goal is to capture you and your family organically. Since this kind of shoot is heavy on the candid nature of a session, I leave any ‘props’ that you’d want to include up to your discretion! You can absolutely round up your own items to incorporate into photos, such as your own swaddles, hats, basket, headbands, outfits, etc, for babe. Outfit/blanket changes are absolutely okay and I love when we get some a variety of pictures of babe in different outfits and blankets!

My baby is so fussy and I’m afraid she’ll cry the entire time you’re here!

This is the wonderful thing about in-home sessions. We can stop at any time and you have all the time you need to relax and recompose. Babies cry. It’s normal and totally okay. There is no pressure to have a perfectly happy baby. If baby sleeps, great! If not, that’s okay too and you’ll love those photos of baby’s expression with their eyes wide open! We’ll capture life as it happens and sometimes that means being flexible.

There are a few tips to keep in mind though that can help a shoot go more smoothly:

For our best shot at a content baby, crank up that heat! Your newborn will be much happier in a warm, cozy environment. This allows for your baby to be comfortable for any naked/diaper pictures and isn’t so upset to have their clothes changed if the house is extra warm.

Another tip for content babies is to take as much time as you need to be sure they have a full belly, burped and have a dry diaper. I’m more than willing to capture those sweet moments of nursing or bottle feeding!

My son/daughter doesn’t want anything to do with the new baby. How will we make photos work with them?

Also totally normal. A new addition to the family is a huge adjustment! I will never force or coerce kids to get in the frame. If they show interest, we’ll take photos involving them first and make it fun! Sometimes a simple game of “can you show me baby’s nose?” does the trick but sometimes it doesn’t and we let them be. The goal is to never force a child or punish them if they’re not feeling it.

We are so awkward in front of the camera. Will you help pose us?

Of course! I totally understand being camera-shy. I will definitely help guide you into a pose and then ask you to engage with your family to capture those beautiful, natural expressions.