Imagine you’re holding your new baby in your arms. They’re wrapped in a freshly laundered blanket, tired eyes and full belly, slowly falling asleep as you gently cradle them. You’re enjoying some much deserved rest on the couch, catching some Vitamin D from the sunlight streaming through your windows. Your partner comes to join you with a fresh cup of tea. This is the beauty and essence of an in-home newborn session. They’re calm, slow, and cozy – the perfect combination for documenting those first moments of your baby’s life.

Welcoming a new baby into the world is a truly magical experience that deserves to be documented and cherished forever. In-home lifestyle newborn photography is a wonderful way to preserve those fleeting moments of your little one’s first days of life. In today’s article, I want to talk about how you can best prepare for your newborn photo session.

Book your photographer in advance.

It’s best to book your photographer before your baby is born. Newborn photographers often have busy schedules, and you want to ensure that you get on their calendar in the general timeframe you’re hoping for. Most newborn photographers will have some sort of flexibility with their newborn session calendar, as due dates can vary. Make sure you communicate with your photographer so that you both know what’s expected of one another as your baby’s due date gets closer.

Keep in mind that many photographers prefer to photograph newborns within the first two weeks of life. However, it’s okay to push the session back even farther as this gives mom more time to recover and both parents time to adjust to having a new baby in the home.

Keep your baby comfortable.

Make sure your baby is well-fed and rested before the session. I recommend feeding them about 20 or 30 minutes before the session. This will (hopefully) lead to a happier, sleepier baby. Setting your home temperature between 68 and 70 degrees is also helpful to ensure your baby is comfortable during the session.

Dress them in comfortable clothing, preferably something that is easy to remove. I personally like to document all those sweet little baby details, so dressing your baby in a diaper and loose swaddle is a great way to begin the session.

Choose your own outfits carefully.

You’ll likely be holding your baby for a large portion of your images so it’s important that you dress in more neutral color shades as the color of your clothing can cast tones onto your baby’s skin. Some colors can cast unflattering tones such as bright green or red. Stick to lighter, neutral earth tones. Shades of white, cream, ivory, pink, or light grey are all good options. 

Prepare your home.

If the session is taking place in your home, prepare the space ahead of time. You’re likely not going to take photos everywhere so be sure to communicate with your photographer to get an idea of where they might take photos in and around your home. Some common photo locations include the living room, master bedroom, and nursery. However, any space with great natural light can work! Take a look at these spaces ahead of time and simply clear out any clutter that you don’t want as part of the image. You do not have to deep clean your home! A simple decluttering will do the trick. (This 100% means you can toss everything into the closet. 🙂 )

Additionally, if you have a white or cream comforter for your bed, that will photograph best for time spent in the master bedroom. But please don’t stress if you don’t.

Have props ready.

If you want any props included in the photos, set them out ahead of time. Some popular props include blankets, baskets, hats, and stuffed animals. Your photographer may also have props of their own (I personally do not provide any props), so discuss this ahead of time.

Relax and enjoy the experience.

Try your best to relax and enjoy the experience. Your photographer will be there to support you with any last minute needs. When it comes down to it, the most important thing is for you to enjoy these first special moments with your baby. Your photographer will take care of the rest. 🙂

I hope you found these tips on how to prepare for a newborn photo session helpful! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. I hope to see you soon!

With love and gratitude,

Skyler

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