A Guide To In-Home Newborn Sessions - Surprise, Arizona Family Photographer

A Guide to In-Home Newborn Sessions

In-home newborn sessions, also known as lifestyle sessions, have become more popular in recent years. Last year alone, I doubled the amount of babies I captured from previous years. I absolutely love doing in-home sessions! There is just something about capturing some of baby’s first moments with mom and dad in the comfort and familiarity of home. Adjusting to a newborn can be stressful, and my goal as a photographer is to ensure that your newborn’s first photos are a relaxed, comfortable experience.

Here are some tips to prepare for your in-home lifestyle session:

When should I schedule my in-home newborn session?

The best time to schedule your newborn’s first photos is between 3 and 14 days old. During this time period, they are extra sleepy, which makes for an easy baby to wrap up and photograph. Awake babies can sometimes be grumpy or full of movement. The easiest newborn sessions come from sleepy, snuggly babies!

Natural lighting is a must for a successful in-home session. I’ve found that the best time to do an in-home newborn session is in the morning. Most homes have good natural lighting in the morning hours, and parents can easily plan around their newborn’s first nap of the day. I always recommend that my newborn clients evaluate the lighting in their home when choosing a time for their session. Turn off all indoor lights, open up the blinds, and let that light in!

How do I prepare my home?

Guess what? You do not have to clean your whole house to prepare for your session! In fact, I insist that you don’t. The goal of this session is to be a relaxed, stress-free opportunity for your family to celebrate your newest little nugget. Lifestyle sessions usually take place in the master bedroom or the nursery (sometimes both!). Just make sure that these areas are tidied up prior to your session. If you have pets, try to wash your bedding or use a lint roller prior to your session to make sure there isn’t excessive pet hair. Speaking of pets, make sure those guys are tucked away somewhere safe during your session. As much as I love animals, they can sometimes be a distraction or get jealous during photo sessions.

Last, turn up the heat. Babies are most comfortable when they are warm. Cranking up the temperature in your home a few degrees will ensure that baby is comfortable and happy.

What do we wear for our in-home session?

I always recommend that clients keep it casual and comfortable for in-home sessions. There is no reason to get all dressed up for a lifestyle session (unless you really want to). The purpose of this style of photography is to document real moments between your new family. The simpler, the better I believe in this case. Formal or flashy clothes can distract from the sweet details of your new baby!

As for baby, a simple white onesie is perfect. I usually bring a few wraps for parents to choose from and often, parents have a swaddle or two that they’d prefer for photos. Avoid onesies or outfits with words or graphics. A simple onesie allows for swaddle and wrap changes without having to change baby’s outfit, resulting in an awake, grumpy baby. Hats and bows are always a great option as well! I just recommend checking the sizing before your session.

How do I prepare my baby for the session?

The best way to guarantee a happy, sleepy baby during your scheduled session is to keep them awake prior to their session. I recommend that parents do whatever possible to keep baby awake for the hour leading up to their session. Play time and bath time are great ways to keep baby alert. Then, right before your session, I recommend feeding baby to start the process of getting into sleepy mode! Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, having baby start to eat about 15-20 minutes before your session is the perfect way to make sure you have a sleepy babe.

Don’t worry if your baby has a difficult time getting settled after their feeding. I’ve worked with dozens of newborns and patience is key! Feeding breaks in the middle of your session are common. So don’t stress if your little one seems to have a hard time falling asleep. I will keep shooting no matter what, and some of my favorite shots I’ve ever taken were when mom & dad were trying to comfort their sweet baby.

How do I prepare my other children for our session?

I love it when siblings get to be a part of a newborn session! Seeing older siblings completely captivated by their new baby always melts my heart. It is important to remember, especially with younger children, that this can be a time of transition for older siblings. My philosophy with toddlers at any session is that they run the show. I do not force children to be a part of any pose that they aren’t feeling. Forcing kiddos to do something when they’re not comfortable is the worst way to get them to cooperate. My best piece of advice for preparing your other children for an upcoming newborn session is to tell them how fun it is going to be! I love to play games and ask older siblings to be my helpers. Years of working in early childhood education have blessed me with the patience to work with young kids, but also the understanding that sometimes they just aren’t going to do what we want them to. So going into your session with the understanding that we will do our best, and if they aren’t having it, we won’t push the issue. I never recommend scolding or punishing your children for not cooperating during a session. This will only make them fearful and will not get us the result that we want, which is adorable photos of them loving on their new baby brother or sister.

How long will my session be?

My in-home newborn sessions average about 90 minutes. Some babies are super sleepy and cooperative and take less time, some require a bit more. I promise you won’t feel rushed.

How many images do I get back from my newborn session?

I guarantee 50 final images with every lifestyle newborn session, but personally, I don’t like to put a number on it. Every session is different and I often find myself delivering more than 50 because I love capturing all the tiny features of your new baby and each family member interacting with him/her.

Is there anything else I need to know?

I ask parents of boys in particular to be aware of medical procedures when scheduling their newborn session. If you plan to circumcise your baby, you want to make sure you are not scheduling your newborn session in the few days following the procedure. Some babies get be extra fussy following the procedure, so holding off on scheduling your photos until after they have had a chance to heal is ideal.

My baby has acne or dry skin. Will you edit this out?

The purpose of lifestyle photography is to document what I see. I am a lover of babies in their natural form. Baby acne and flaky skin are all part of the journey, in my opinion. I do minor skin touch ups on newborn sessions, but I do not guarantee full skin retouching on newborns.

Hygiene & Safety

At the end of the day, your comfort and your baby’s safety is my number one priority. This experience is meant to be peaceful and full of love. Upon entering your home, I will wash my hands thoroughly. All of my wraps are washed and sanitized between each client. I have years of experience in handling newborns and will always handle your baby with gentleness and care.

During COVID-19, I am implementing a no-touch protocol for newborn sessions.

Want to book your own in-home newborn session? Contact me here!

In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Photography | Surprise, Arizona Newborn Photographer | Arizona Family Photographer | Shelby Fitz Photography