In the first few days and weeks with a new baby, so much is changing and it can all feel like a blur (and the sleep deprivation obviously does not help!). Too often, you blink and you miss it. That’s why documenting those early days is so crucial, and you can even book newborn photos at home.

Why choose newborn photos at home?

1. It’s easier for the whole family. For many new parents, the thought of getting themselves and their little one(s) ready to go spend hours posing stiffly in a studio is NOT an appealing idea. In-home photos free you of the pressure and time commitment associated with a more traditional photoshoot. Plus, you can rest assured your baby will be safe in comfortable in a familiar environment.
2. Authenticity. With a newborn around, so much of a family’s time is spent at home. That time is precious and deserves to be carefully documented so it can be remembered. You don’t need to worry about performing for the camera (although we will provide posing guidance as needed!), you just need to focus on being present with your family.
3. Flexibility. When you take newborn photos at home, you have the space to go at whatever pace you (and baby) need. Take breaks for feeding, to make yourself a coffee, or just to relax for a minute. You aren’t limited to the lighting of golden hour or a reserved time slot at a studio. If you still want a little pampering for your session, we can coordinate professional hair and makeup for you—one of our preferred artists will come help you look and feel your best from the comfort of your own home.

What’s the best time to have newborn photos taken?

We recommend scheduling your session for sometime in the first two weeks after your due date. When they’re that tiny, newborns are typically so sleepy that they’re very cooperative for photos.

That being said, don’t wait to book your photographer until baby arrives! Most photographers will not be available on such short notice. But even if they are, you will not want to be thinking about the logistics of scheduling the session when you’ve got a newborn at home.

How to Prepare Your Home

Don’t worry, I’m not about to tell you to deep clean every square inch of your house a week after giving birth.

The photos are supposed to capture the authenticity of daily life! While we do recommend tidying your space, there is no need to deep clean or make drastic changes for the sole purpose of our session.

Keep in mind that your photos don’t have to include every single angle of every single room in your house. In fact, most in-home sessions are limited to just a couple rooms. As we shoot, we’re looking for the best natural light (especially important for film photography). So don’t worry, nobody will know if you throw all your clutter in a spare room for the session. :)

How to Prepare Yourself and Your Baby

The experience of having newborn photos taken at home should be comfortable and stress-free. While we understand that nothing is truly stress-free when you have a new baby, there are some things you can do to make the process as smooth as possible.

1. Plan outfits in advance. You don’t want to wake up the morning of your session and have to think about what everyone is going to wear. Talk to your photographer about what will photograph best, and try to have wardrobe picked out before baby arrives (not giving you extra homework—we provide full styling assistance + a client closet of dresses for mom!).
2. Feed your baby ~30 minutes before the session to maximize the time they’ll be sleepy and content during the session.
3. Think about (and communicate) any boundaries. As newborn photographers, we have lots of experience working with babies, including things like comforting and swaddling them. If you’d rather be the only one holding your baby, just let us know.
4. Prepare an activity. If you’re not super comfortable in front of the camera, it can be SO helpful to have an activity to help you forget the camera’s even there. And it doesn’t have to be extravagant. Make your coffee, arrange flowers, read a book together… Doing something normal that’s part of your routine will photograph beautifully, and you’ll love looking back on it in 10 years.
5. Relax and trust your photographer. I know, easier said than done. But during your session, your only job is truly just to connect with your family. We’ll take care of the rest.

If you love the idea of newborn photos at home, reach out today—we’d love to hear from you. And if you’re considering maternity photos as well, check out this post next.