In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Sessions
Simple and Classic
Lifestyle newborn sessions are at the top of my list of favorite shoots to do. Being able to capture those tiny details of a newborn baby with their family is something that warms my heart. It is these fleeting details of a new baby, the wrinkly skin, milia on the nose, baby rolls, back fuzz, chubby cheeks, and teeny tiny toes that are gone in the blink of an eye. To be able to photograph those attributes to save and look back on is so important to me. When I am able to do these sessions in my client's homes I am able to capture moments that they don't get to see from a visitor's perspective. Peeping in on dad rocking baby in the nursery, sibling playing with little brother or sister on the floor, a pet coming to say hi for the first time. These raw moments are core memories for a lot of families and to be able to freeze them in time is just... perfect.
Natural Light is Where Its At
Next I will look around your home for places with good natural light to photograph in. Mostly that ends up being a master bedroom, living room, or nursery but I have also done session in hallways, on the stairs, on the front porch or in the entry way. Natural light gives a warm inviting look to your images and it is always my goal to use that for the session. If your home doesn't bode well for natural light, or if it is very overcast on the day of the shoot, I always bring a studio light as a backup and those images are beautiful as well. I will move furniture if needed (and put it back when I am done) as well as clear any clutter that may be distracting in the background. I never expect my newborn families to have spotless homes because that is definitely not how our own house looked at that phase of life and honestly it's not "real" anyway.
Baby and Siblings Rule the Roost
When I come into your home for a lifestyle newborn session the first thing I will do is introduce myself to your children (if applicable) even if we have met before so that they start to feel comfortable around me. I will typically start with a sibling photo first because it is usually the most difficult one to get. From there we let the children be the boss. We move around the house, from standing, to sitting, to cuddling on the floor, between "smiling at the camera" shots that are standard for every session and the more intimate candid ones that happen naturally. I give the kids breaks throughout to get solo photographs of the newborn, as well as parents, and individuals of mom and significant other with baby. I try to keep things moving so kids don't get antsy and so that we are done in a timely manner and you can get back to those newborn snuggles.
They are the Best, Just Book It
Ha! But seriously, I promise you won't regret working with me for these special moments to photograph for your family and future generations.
