In-Home Newborn family Photos: What to expect
Getting photos of your new bundle of joy in the very beginning days of life is the most beautiful gift you can give to your future self and family. It's an amazing thing to be able to look back on that short phase that we always wish we could go back to. My favorite type of newborn sessions are in-home. With these, you don't have to worry about a thing. You get to sit back, relax, and enjoy these precious moments with your growing family. But, preparing for your in-home newborn photos can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if this is your first time with a newborn. In this post, I'm sharing everything you need to know to prepare for your in-home newborn photography.
Booking your in-home newborn session
The booking process for your in-home newborn photography session is the key part of having the most enjoyable and relaxing experience. So many things go into making this run smoothly like when you book, who you book, and how you feel throughout the process. Once you find the right photographer for you, you’ll be taken through their custom process for onboarding and planning your photoshoot. First up, we’re going over different factors to take into consideration when booking a photographer.
When do I book a photographer for in-home newborn photography?
As always, the more advance you book your photos, the more time you’ll have to prepare for the photoshoot. And the more time, I am able to fully take everything off your shoulders. It is ideal to find and book your photographer within the second or early third trimester. This ensures that I’ll have the most open availability for your date and most photographers have the same timeline for booking in advance. Then, when the due date gets close, you won't have to worry about last-minute bookings because everything is already taken care of.
When should I get my baby pictures taken?
The most optimal time to get your newborn photos taken is around the first 1-8 weeks. Though, it's never too late to get pictures of your new family member as each stage of their life is equally special. You’ll be able to choose a date that works best for your schedule and their availability.
How do I find a photographer for in-home newborn photography?
If you find a photographer you like, I always recommend sticking with them as long as you can. Especially if you have worked with them before and loved your experience, you can rest assured that the process with be the same and you will love your photos just as much. I personally love when new mamas book me for their maternity photos as well as their newborn photos. I am able to meet the family and everyone is able to get comfortable with me which is so helpful when taking your photos.
Click here to read my full guide on how to prepare for your Maternity Photos
If you don't already have a photographer in mind, (I am currently booking for this year! Click here to view some of my photos on Instagram) I recommend turning to Instagram, Pinterest, or Google for your search. These are great ways to find a photographer that offers the editing style you like, within your budget, and in your area. Once you find one you like, you can usually reach out on their website and wait for their response regarding how to move forward with your booking.
What to expect when booking a photographer for in-home newborn photography
While every photographer will have their own unique process, the idea is usually the same. For example, when you decide you're ready to book, you’ll reach out on my contact page, here. You’ll receive a response immediately after so you know that I got it on my end. Within a quick, 24 hours, I’ll reach out to you to confirm everything. After that, I’ll send over the contract and invoice and then we’re set! Once everything is done, you can sit back and relax because I’ll get to planning. I’ll save the days around your due date and then when baby is born, we’ll set a definite date.
Until then, we can talk about any questions you have about the photo shoot so you feel completely prepared and can start getting excited about the new baby. We can talk about which room in your house we might use, how to prepare your new baby, how to style your family, etc. I even love supporting my clients through the big journey of nursing if that's something they wish for. I'm right by your side every step of the way. My number one priority is helping you feel confident and excited about this new adventure.
How to prepare for a newborn photo session
As the day gets closer, we’ll want to make sure we have everything we need to make the session flow easily. It's not a secret that infants can be unpredictable and sometimes a bit messy. So, there are some things we can have prepared to make them as happy and easy as possible.
What do I need to bring to the newborn photoshoot?
Luckily, having an in-home newborn photography session means that you’ll likely have everything you need within reach. Having food for the little one is always helpful because a full baby is a happy baby. Make sure to have blankets, wipes, diapers, a change of clothes, and trash bags handy for those unexpected messes that are inevitable as we all know. If there are any props you want to include like a special toy or blanket, we can always include those as well. Though, I do recommend keeping props to a minimum as my sessions are focused more on your beautiful connection with your child.
What to wear for newborn photos?
Have you ever had to prepare for a photo shoot and ended up stressing for the whole day before because you can’t figure out what to wear? We’ve all been there! This is why I offer my clients personalized styling support. I have an intimate client closet that you can choose from as well as a professional styling platform that will help you in choosing complementary outfits and deliver them right to your door. Say goodbye to the stress of choosing outfits for everyone in the family. My clients enjoy ease and fun when getting ready for our sessions.
It's helpful to choose 1-3 colors as your general color scheme. Each family member can wear something that matches those while still looking natural and effortless as a whole. Try to avoid any bright colors or chunky jewelry that might distract from your beautiful faces. Overall, stick to being comfortable. I completely understand that the 4th trimester is not always butterflies and rainbows. Sometimes you may be feeling a bit off and that's okay. Opt for comfortable clothing that you feel confident in and leave the rest to me. Click here to look through my Pinterest board for in-home newborn session outfit inspiration.
Prepare the home
Being in the comfort of your own home is such a relief with such a vulnerable type of photoshoot. Years down the road when you look back at these photos, you’ll be able to see a snapshot of a treasured moment in your family. So, your home does not need to look picture-perfect and try not to let this be a thing that holds you back. We can chat beforehand about which rooms we will want to use and you can focus on those. The main priority is to make sure the rooms are picked up with no big, distractions. Natural lighting and neutral-colored sheets and blankets are going to be our best friends. I also always arrive at sessions early to help asses and make sure things are good to go.
What to expect during a newborn photoshoot
My sessions are free-flowing meaning you’ll never feel pressured to pose perfectly or do anything that makes you feel awkward. I prioritize your comfort above all else and will give you just enough direction so you don't feel overwhelmed. This is why I value communication so deeply with my clients. I want you to feel confident enough to tell me how you're feeling during the shoot. Remember, this is your experience and you deserve for it to be everything you imagine. And I'm here to help make that happen.
7 Tips to Prepare for your Newborn Photos:
Feed the baby 20-30 minutes before the session so they are full and happy
Keep them awake just before the session so we can get those cute sleepy photos
I like to remember the five S’s for soothing an upset baby.
Consider using a white noise player (like this one on amazon) to help baby relax
Enjoy the moment
Expect emotions from older kids. If you have older kids who will be a part of the shoot, try to explain what we’re doing and what to expect when the photographer gets there. This way they feel involved and informed.
Have snacks ready for everyone! A midway snack is always nice to have on a small break in between photos to keep you going.
When will I get my newborn photos?
After we finish our session, you get to focus on all the snuggles and taking all the sweet moments with your growing family. Within 1-2 weeks, you’ll get to see a sneak peek of your beautiful photos in the works. Then, 3-4 weeks after our session, you get to see the entire gallery. You’ll finally have everlasting photos that document the authentic connection between you and your loved ones. You get to share the joy with family members by sharing these sweet moments that they can keep forever.
Make the newborn photos an unforgettable experience.
These precious moments between you and your new family member is one you’re going to want to last forever. With an in-home newborn photography session, you’re able to capture that moment in time and save it to look back on whenever you’d like. You deserve not just enjoy this experience but with everything else that comes with growing a human, you deserve to hand the stress to someone else. That is my main goal when clients book with me. This session is all about you feeling confident, comfortable, and excited about this new chapter in your life.
For a full guide on preparing for your maternity photoshoot, click here
If you’re interested in booking both If you have one on the way and want to document the first sweet moments, click below to book with me.
