In-Home Newborn Lifestyle Session
And good for you for scheduling photos for your family during this sweet and exhausting time. I get it, as a momma of 3, it’s not easy delivering the baby and then getting ready for a photography session…give yourself a pat on the back, you won’t regret getting these images taken! Here's what you can expect:
on creating a perfectly new baby!
Congrats
I recommend scheduling our session within 10 days of baby's delivery date. Babies are particularly sleepy and easily contented during these first few days. Beyond the 10 day mark, the baby’s eyes seem to cross a bit more as they try and learn how to focus, eating patterns tend to change a bit more as well which can catch us off guard.
However, I am on your schedule, I have done many sessions 10+ days after delivery and they’ve turned out beautifully. If you need more time to prepare baby and you, please let me know I’m VERY flexible. So many variables can come up: sibling adjustment, nursing challenges/changes, or maybe you just had a really tough night and need to reschedule. Just let me know and I’m very happy to work with you!
However, I am on your schedule, I have done many sessions 10+ days after delivery and they’ve turned out beautifully. If you need more time to prepare baby and you, please let me know I’m VERY flexible. So many variables can come up: sibling adjustment, nursing challenges/changes, or maybe you just had a really tough night and need to reschedule. Just let me know and I’m very happy to work with you!
Scheduling
- Lighting Tour - When I arrive, I would love a tour of your home! I will be scouting out spots with good lighting. The lighting in your home will influence where I can take pictures. However, please feel free to also direct me to where you would like photos done as well.
what to expect
- My goal is to light my subjects with as much light as possible, sometimes it can be a challenge in homes without a lot of natural light pouring in. I am always going to want to position my subjects' faces TOWARDS the natural light.
- Also just an FYI - I will be turning OFF all overhead lights
- Lifestyle Shoots – I am documenting your family in your home. I will be directing but also hanging back capturing your sweet moments.
- Feet - We are in your home, you probably won’t be wearing shoes. That means you might have socks on for the session…I always prefer bare feet to socks. Don’t worry I don’t do close ups of your feet, this goes for siblings too :)
- What I bring - Everything I bring is optional to use during your session. I do bring with me:
- Large baby basket
- Swaddles (neutral colors)
- A letter board (for baby’s height, weight, name and date of birth - please email me these #’s prior to our session)
- A variety of neutral color outfits and layering blankets
- Studio Sessions – If you'd prefer our Newborn Lifestyle session takes place at the studio, no problem. I can rent us Studio 22 in downtown Salem. There is an added rental fee of $65 that will be added to your invoice for this location.
- Declutter – coffee tables, side tables, countertops, toy bins, busy rugs, etc (in the rooms we will be shooting in only). Please don’t clean for me but think of it more as temporarily hiding these items :)
- Areas in home - Have in mind a few areas in which you would like photos done, preferably near a window. Again remember, I am always going to want to position my subjects' faces TOWARDS the natural light.
- Large beds - Large beds make great canvases to photograph the family, kids and baby.
- Heat - please adjust your home heat a little higher than normal to keep baby comfortable.
Home
- Sleepy babes -To get those peaceful sleepy newborn photos, please try to keep the baby up for a while before I arrive. Making sure you keep your baby awake prior to our session is a great way to guarantee they will sleep through most of it. That will lead to peaceful portraits (It’s great when they wake but there’s just no guarantee they will sleep during our session without thoughtful preparation).
- You and Baby’s schedule - I just want to be really clear, I am on your schedule. By all means, if you or baby need a break, just ask. Breaks are a perfect time for me to photograph siblings, nurseries, dad & kids.
- Outfit changes - I allow for 1-3 outfit changes. If you are wanting to do diapered shots (to expose those adorable roles and sweet baby skin), I recommend doing these first and even before I arrive, swaddle baby in a nice blanket. This will help avoid wrinkles made in the skin from clothing. I also recommend using a diaper cover (to cover up all the diaper decorations manufacturers put on them these days) I have a couple just ask me to bring them!
Baby
If you have images you’ve seen that you’d like to recreate, by all means, please text or email them to me OR when I arrive, I’d love to take a look at what you’ve saved.
I have a playlist of shots but I always welcome images and poses you are drawn to as well!
I have a playlist of shots but I always welcome images and poses you are drawn to as well!
Inspiration Photos
Clothing to Avoid
What to Wear
Client Closet – I have a variety of dresses, skirts, shirts, shoes, etc I make available to my clients to borrow. Let me know if you see anything you’d like to borrow! (link)
Dads – Some Dads love to get their photo taken. If that’s your husband, awesome! If that’s not your husband, I have a few words of advice. “Dads, all you need to do is: play with your kids and flirt with your wife”. Simple and easy, these two things photograph incredibly well :)
Women & Girls – If comfortable, dresses photograph incredibly well! If you have a dress you feel comfortable in, I would encourage you to wear it. Flowy dresses and dresses with texture are a lot of fun and provide many ‘looks’ to your gallery! Keep in mind, we may be sitting on the ground for some pictures, it’s a good idea if your outfit is conducive for this. Diaper covers are a must if your little one is wearing a dress (I have one available in my client closet). If you are purchasing clothing online, my favorite shops are:
Women: Free People, Vici Collection, Baltic Born, Joyfolie, Three Bird Nest, Mod Boutique, One Loved Babe, Ella and Lou, Zara
Kids: Joyfolie, Reverie Threads, Lucky Panda Kids, H&M, Zara
Hands & Feet – Some shots may involve some sort of close up shot of you and your family’s hands, trimmed nails usually look better in these photographs. Feet: I may ask to take your shoes off. Sometimes shoes can distract, bare feet create a more intimate look…don’t worry I probably won’t take close ups :)
Glasses – Transition lenses are not ideal for outdoor photography. If you happen to own a second pair of glasses, non-transitional, please wear these instead.
Disclaimer: Remember these are only tips and suggestions. I definitely want your personal style to shine through in your images as well!
- Big patterns
- Thick stripes
- Words or big logos
- Neon or super bright colors
- Tennis Shoes
What to Wear
- Add rich, warm colors to your outfits to make your images pop. Always choose a muted version of colors (ex. mustard for yellow, rust for orange, muted reds, dusty blues, etc) For family sessions, colors look best when 1 or 2 people are wearing them, while the rest of the members are wearing neutrals (gray, tans, creams, brown).
- Jeans are great, except when everyone is wearing them. Try and change up the bottoms so only a couple family members are wearing the same on bottom.
- Mix patterns and textures.
- If you need a phrase when putting outfits together, think “Coordinate, Not Matching” :)
Client Closet – I have a variety of dresses, skirts, shirts, shoes, etc I make available to my clients to borrow. Let me know if you see anything you’d like to borrow! (link)
Dads – Some Dads love to get their photo taken. If that’s your husband, awesome! If that’s not your husband, I have a few words of advice. “Dads, all you need to do is: play with your kids and flirt with your wife”. Simple and easy, these two things photograph incredibly well :)
Women & Girls – If comfortable, dresses photograph incredibly well! If you have a dress you feel comfortable in, I would encourage you to wear it. Flowy dresses and dresses with texture are a lot of fun and provide many ‘looks’ to your gallery! Keep in mind, we may be sitting on the ground for some pictures, it’s a good idea if your outfit is conducive for this. Diaper covers are a must if your little one is wearing a dress (I have one available in my client closet). If you are purchasing clothing online, my favorite shops are:
Women: Free People, Vici Collection, Baltic Born, Joyfolie, Three Bird Nest, Mod Boutique, One Loved Babe, Ella and Lou, Zara
Kids: Joyfolie, Reverie Threads, Lucky Panda Kids, H&M, Zara
Hands & Feet – Some shots may involve some sort of close up shot of you and your family’s hands, trimmed nails usually look better in these photographs. Feet: I may ask to take your shoes off. Sometimes shoes can distract, bare feet create a more intimate look…don’t worry I probably won’t take close ups :)
Glasses – Transition lenses are not ideal for outdoor photography. If you happen to own a second pair of glasses, non-transitional, please wear these instead.
Disclaimer: Remember these are only tips and suggestions. I definitely want your personal style to shine through in your images as well!
clothing tips & info
