How To Prepare For Your Newborn Lifestyle Session At Home | Austin Family Photographer
Bringing a new addition into your family and into your home for the first time is a BIG DEAL and it completely changes your whole world. It will be a time you won’t want to forget. Planning a Newborn Lifestyle Session ahead of time is one of the sweetest gifts you can give to yourself. To document such a precious time in your life and have those memories frozen in time forever.
Here are my 8 tips on how to prepare for your Newborn Lifestyle Session at home.
Tip 1 - Dress For Comfort
If you can, try dressing in solid light colors. Creams, Grays, and Neutral Tones are my favorites. If you prefer dark colors, black or deep jeweled tones are great choices. These colors photograph really well and compliment all skin tones. Avoid loud patterns, words, or logos on clothing. Stick to an outfit that is simple and timeless.
Above all else, dress comfortably on the day of your newborn session. Your postpartum body will likely still be sore and swollen. Wear something comfortable, even if it’s a plain tshirt or matching lounge set. This goes for Dad too. If he doesn’t normally wear a button-down shirt at home, don’t wear one! These photos should be a realistic representation of your family during this time. Bare feet and messy buns are welcomed!
Tip 2 - Clear The Clutter
When your baby is so tiny, you’ll have a million and one things laying around. Nose cleaners, thermometers, burp cloths, rattles, bottles, lotions… The list goes on and on. And while you actually do need all of those things in arm’s length, you might not necessarily want them in your photos.
Do you have to clean your entire house before the photo session? Absolutely not. I DO NOT care if the dishes are piled to the ceiling or if your laundry baskets runneth over! You just had a baby and I don’t expect your house to be spotless.
If your house isn’t quite photo ready, I will try to find the largest window in your house (usually the Master Bedroom) and shoot the entire session in front of that window. So if you know which room that is, try taking the clutter out of that room and moving it to a room you know we won’t be shooting in, like the restroom!
Tip 3 - Open The Windows and Blinds
It’s human nature to want to create a “den” for your cub. Most people create a dark and warm vibe after bringing their baby home, which is completely normal, but dark rooms don’t work well for photos. Pick a room in your house that you’d like to focus the session in. If you have several rooms, wonderful, but I can get by with just one room if needed. Open all the blinds and windows in that room ALL THE WAY. Let as much light flow into that room as possible.
Light is a Photographer’s best friend. I don’t bring flashes or big equipment with me. I use all natural light coming in from windows. Even if it’s a rainy or gloomy day, I can still squeeze some light from any window.
If you don’t know which room to pick, don’t worry. Looking for the best light is the first thing on my agenda when I arrive. I can help you.
Tip 4 - Warm Up Your House
I want your baby to be cozy and comfortable during the session. Turning up the heat in your home will allow your baby to feel most comfortable. They are used to being inside your warm womb and now the world is big and cold. So feel free to crank up that thermostat.
*This tip is not required for the hot Summer months. Feel free to keep your house cool if you wish to.
Tip 5 - Be prepared to be in the photos
Maybe it’s because they’re in the depths of sleep deprivation or because they’re self conscious about their body after delivery, but a lot of my clients will ask to “keep the focus on the baby”. Which seems like a fine request. A newborn session is all about the baby, right? Well… not really. A lifestyle newborn session is about documenting your story, your home, your family… as it is. This sweet baby is an extension of YOU and you deserve to be in the photos as much as anyone else. If there’s something you’re feeling self conscious about, let me know. I can make sure to photograph you in a modest way that makes you feel comfortable. I want these photos to stand the test of time and be a reminder of this precious time in your life. It may not feel like it now, but it is definitely a moment you want to be a part of.
Tip 6 - Tend to your nails
I take a lot of photos of your hands, so make sure your nails look decent. You don’t have to run out and get a manicure (unless you want to, then totally do it), just make sure your nails are neatly trimmed and your hands are well moisturized. Same goes for your feet. I do ask that families take off their socks and go barefoot during the session. No, I won’t zoom in on your funky toenail but bare feet always photograph better than socks. If you don’t want to go barefoot, you can wear black socks with no markings, comfortable shoes, or slippers. Just make sure they are clean.
Tip 7 - Eat up!
Of course, feed your baby before the session, but YOU also need to eat something too. Make sure everyone in the family has had a bite to eat or a snack before I arrive. The session usually lasts about 1-2 hours, so there will be plenty of time to take breaks for snacks, feedings, and diaper changes.
Also, you don’t have to feed the Photographer! I didn’t just have a baby and I can last a few hours without food. So eat what you normally eat and don’t worry about being a host. I’ll be just fine.
Tip 8 - Be patient and relax
Each baby is so different. They can go from happy and sleeping to fussy and irritable in one second flat. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT. I don’t mind crying babies at all. It just means that it’s time to break, bounce, or burp! I strongly believe that babies can sense your energy and stress, so it’s important to remain relaxed and keep a mellow atmosphere during the session. Nothing about my sessions will be forced. My main goal is to capture the love and connection between you and your newest addition. So pour a cup of tea, breathe, and I’ll work my magic.