Welcoming a newborn into your family is a momentous occasion filled with love, joy, and countless unforgettable moments. One way to preserve these precious memories is through a newborn photo session. While many parents opt to come to the Mischief and Laughs Photography studio, I do also offer at-home newborn photoshoot options for parents who prefer the intimacy and ease of photos in their own home. Having a newborn photoshoot at home offers a unique and intimate experience.
To ensure that your at-home newborn session goes smoothly and captures those fleeting moments perfectly, here are some tips to help you prepare:
- Schedule the Session: Ideally, you’ll plan ahead and book your session before baby is born! This helps your photographer space sessions out appropriately so that you can have an unrushed experience and ensures that we can shoot very soon after baby’s birth. Once baby arrives, we will finalize a date within baby’s first 2 weeks (unless mom or baby’s health requires waiting a bit longer.) The first two weeks of your baby’s arrival is when they are still sleepy and easily poseable, but there is beauty in every age and stage.
- Clear clutter: Making the beds and clearing off coffee tables, bedside tables, and other flat surfaces in the living room and parents rooms makes a world of difference in the photos. But please don’t overdo it, cleaning tasks like making sure your bathroom is spotless or every dish is done is absolutely not necessary!
- Warm your home: Please set your heat/air to 72 degrees on the morning of our session. I will have a space heater to help bring the room we are working in up to a baby-friendly 80 degrees, but it’s helpful if the space is already cozy when I get there.
- Feed baby very well right before I arrive: We’ll take plenty of feeding breaks, but It’s helpful if baby is well fed to start!
- Dress Your Baby in a diaper and swaddle only: Keep your baby comfortable and cozy. When I arrive hopefully baby will be snoozing, and I can wrap them and move right into my posing flow!
- We’ll choose the Right Space: When I arrive at your home, I’ll do a quick tour and decide where exactly we’ll be. Rooms with bright natural light are best, but I do bring along studio lighting to every session in case you don’t have great lighting in your home.
- I’ll bring all the props we’ll need: I style in home sessions just like I do studio sessions, with all the cute little wraps, baskets, and blankets. If you want to incorporate anything in your session, send me a quick picture so I can bring along some items to match!
- Relax and Enjoy the Moment: Most importantly, relax and enjoy the experience of capturing these precious moments with your newborn. I will guide you through the process and help create a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for you and your baby. I always put safety and comfort at top priority!
- Follow Safety Precautions: Safety should always be the top priority during a newborn photoshoot. Ensure that your photographer is experienced in handling newborns and follows proper safety protocols when posing your baby. Never attempt risky poses or manipulate your baby into unnatural positions.
By following these tips and preparing thoughtfully for your baby’s newborn session at home, we can create beautiful and timeless photographs that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Remember, the most important thing is to capture the love and bond you share with your newborn, creating memories that will be treasured for generations to come.
