Documenting those early days at home with your newborn baby is so special, whether this is your first baby or your fifth. Some parents may not feel “up” to being photographed shortly after their baby is born, but as a mom of three myself, I promise that you will NOT regret it and you will cherish those photos for as long as you live. 

An in-home lifestyle newborn session is the perfect way to make the whole experience less stressful, especially if you have other young children at home. Just the convenience of being somewhere comfortable and having everything you need at your fingertips is unbeatable. 

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

1. Dress Comfortably

You’ve just had a baby, so choose something that makes you comfortable and that you can move around in. As with other types of photo sessions, it’s best to avoid clothing with text or logos on it, as well as very bright, neon colors. I find that light, neutral colors photograph very well for in-home sessions (think light shades of gray, pink, blue, cream, white, etc.). Lighter colors tend to help “brighten up” the look of in-home photos. 

If you are self conscious about certain areas of your body after baby, consider looser fitting clothing that is still flattering, such as maxi dresses or cardigans. If you have other young children at home, keep in mind that you may be holding them in some images and often times they can tug at your top, so something with a higher neckline may make you more comfortable so you’re not constantly having to adjust your top!

Since these sessions take place in your home, it’s up to you what you put on your feet! Many prefer to be barefoot, but some prefer socks and/or shoes. This is completely up to you and what you’re most comfortable with. I like to get closeups of your newborn baby in your and your partner’s arms, so something else to keep in mind is that your hands will be in some of the photos. While there is no need to schedule a mani/pedi, you may want to take some extra care of your hands/feet prior to the session. 

I should also add that moms are notorious for putting hair bands on their wrists, which they often forget to remove. Be sure to also check your wrists before the session! 

As far as dressing your newborn, you may put them in a simple white onsie or outfit of your choice. I do bring a few neutral-colored newborn wraps with me, which you are welcome to use.

2. Boost the Thermostat

Babies love to be warm. While it’s true that for an in-home lifestyle newborn session, the baby will not be posed, boosting the indoor temp can help keep them comfortable and content during the session. I would recommend bumping up your thermostat to between 75-78 degrees Fahrenheit. 

3. Clear the Clutter

There is no need to go crazy cleaning your home and making sure it’s spotless before the session. After all, you’re probably running low on sleep and exhausted! That being said, if you are able to clear away unnecessary clutter prior to the session, it will help save time. I’m not talking about dusting and vacuuming – I’m talking about simply clearing items off of your countertops, dressers, floors, etc. 

During an in-home newborn session, I typically photograph in three different rooms – the master bedroom, nursery, and living area. My advice is to quickly peek in those main areas and see if there are items visible that you do NOT want in your photos. If you have phone chargers on your nightstand, clothes on your floor, baby bottles on your countertops – these may all be items you want to quickly clear away before the session. 

As you can see, there is not a lot you need to do to prepare for an in-home lifestyle newborn session. These sessions are meant to be laid-back and relaxed, with the focus being on preserving this important time in your lives. If you live in the Charlotte, NC area, I would be honored to capture this special time for your family.

Book Now