In-home Lifestyle Newborn Photography 

Client Session Guide

Welcome!

Congratulations on your new baby! In-home newborn sessions are relaxed and designed around your family, your home, and the needs of your baby.

There is no need for everything to be perfect. We will take breaks when needed, follow baby's cues, and give siblings plenty of room to be themselves. My goal is to create beautiful photographs while also documenting a little bit of what life feels like during this short and wonderful season.

I'll gently guide you through the session—so you can simply show up, love on your people, and let me take care of the rest.

Before Your Session

A few simple things to do before I arrive:

  • Identify 2–3 rooms with the best natural light.

  • Locations such as the primary bedroom, nursery and any living areas work well.

  • If you have a favorite rocker or place you love to sit that's a good place to start.

  • Do a quick declutter of the areas you think we may use.

  • Set aside any special blankets, outfits, or accessories you'd like included.

  • Choose everyone's outfits and have them ready to go.

  • Feed baby before the session if possible—but don't worry if they need to eat again.

  • Let siblings know a photographer is coming, but don't stress about making them perform.

  • Take a deep breath. You've already done the hard part.

You Don't Need to Clean the Whole House

Please don't feel like your home needs to look perfect before I arrive. We will only photograph in a few areas with the best light, and a quick declutter of those spaces is more than enough.

You can show me around the rooms you want to use when I first arrive.

Your home doesn't need to look like a magazine. It just needs to feel like home.

Light Matters

Natural light plays a big role in my photography, so before your session, take note of which rooms receive the best light during the morning or early afternoon. Bedrooms, nurseries, and living rooms with large windows are often great options. We want to avoid basements if possible and rooms that are dimly lit.

We can also go outside if you have a shaded porch or area and the weather is nice.

Don't worry about figuring it all out ahead of time—we can walk through your home together and choose the spaces that photograph best. You are also welcome to send photos of any rooms prior to the session.

Ideas on What to Wear and Extras

Choose something that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and like yourself. The goal is for your photographs to feel like you.

Soft neutral colors work well and patterns can be great too. Simple earthy tones work well with babies. A neutral onesie with a knit sweater or special blanket to add texture will photograph well. Pops of color are fun and add visual interest. A knit hat or headband for some of the photos is always fun.

It's a good idea to start with baby in your favorite outfit first. We can do multiple outfits, but if baby is asleep we may want to minimize wardrobe changes. If there is a special blanket or any special clothes/accessories you would like to incorporate please let me know.

  • Please have ready any blankets, hats, headbands, toys, and a wardrobe change for baby to add variety if you would like

  • If you have a special blanket, a pair of hand-knitted booties, or another meaningful item you'd like to include, I'm always happy to incorporate it into a few photographs.

  • Your favorite jeans and a nice t-shirt can look just as cute as a dress!

  • For flowy dresses I like Baltic Born & Joyfolie.

  • Texture always looks great in photos!

  • Start with mom's outfit first then add the rest of the outfits from there.

  • Please avoid logos

  • Don't forget about footwear! Bare feet can be an option for some of the images.

  • Please feel free to e-mail with questions and photos of clothing or to consult about wardrobe ideas.

  • Target, H&M, and Old Navy have great options for kids & dads.

What You Don't Need to Worry About

You don't need a perfectly sleeping baby.

You don't need perfectly behaved siblings.

You don't need a perfectly clean house.

And you don't need to know what to do in front of the camera.

There will be time for feeding, diaper changes, comforting, snacks, and sibling breaks. I'll gently guide you when needed and leave plenty of room for the real moments in between.

FAQ’s

  • What about siblings? I love to include siblings! Together we can determine the safest supported way to get the sibling images. Laying older siblings next to baby on the bed works really well! Siblings sometimes need to be encouraged to be in the photos - it’s totally fine for them to take breaks and play too.

  • What if I need to feed my baby? If possible feed your baby before the session, but don't worry if you need to do so again during our session. I am always happy to take photos of nursing/feeding if you would like.

  • What if my baby is crying? I make sure to have plenty of time so it's ok to spend time feeding and settling baby. If baby is truly too upset we can talk about rescheduling for another date soon but this is extremely rare.

  • Can we include our pet? If you would like your dog in a few of the photos at your home I am happy to include them as long as they are comfortable with baby.

  • Can we include grandparents? Yes at in-home sessions I am happy to include a few photos with the grandparents!

  • Any other questions? Please let me know!

A smiling man and woman holding coffee mugs and a baby in a kitchen. The mugs have bear illustrations and text that reads 'Papa Bear' and 'Mama Bear'. The man is wearing a white t-shirt and the woman a light-colored dress.
A family of three sitting on a porch, with a woman and man holding a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket. The woman is sitting barefoot, and a decorative pillow is on the bench. Hanging flower baskets are above, and a house with a window and siding are
A woman sitting in a wooden rocking chair, holding a baby, in a sunlit room with white blinds and woven baskets.
Close-up of a sleeping baby being gently held by an adult's hand, with a soft focus background.
A baby lying in a white changing table with a cream-colored top, wearing a white outfit and a white hat with ears. Behind the baby, there is a decorated wall with a mirror showing a starry ceiling and framed artwork. To the side, there is a bottle of

Typical Image List

  • Family Group

  • Parents with Baby

  • Each parent with Baby

  • Siblings with Baby

  • Baby solo in crib or bassinet or bed.

  • Nursing/feeding photos if desired

  • Documentary photos of any in between moments that happen during our session

One Last Thing

These first days can feel beautiful, exhausting, emotional, and a little chaotic—all at the same time.

Your baby doesn't need to be perfect. Your house doesn't need to be perfect. And your family doesn't need to perform for the camera.

Just show up as you are, love on your people, and let the moments unfold.

I'll take care of the rest.

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A newborn baby sleeping in a beige bassinet, wearing only a diaper, with arms raised and eyes closed.
A woman with blonde hair sitting on a gray couch, holding a newborn baby close to her chest and nuzzling her head.
A woman sitting in a beige armchair breastfeeding a baby in a cozy, well-lit bedroom.
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A baby sleeping on a blanket on a bed in a sunlit room.
A family with a pregnant woman, a father, and two young children sitting and smiling in a brightly lit living room with shelves of toys and books.
Close-up of a baby's small hand reaching out, laying on a patterned blanket.
A woman in a gray sleeveless dress holding a baby in her arms while sitting on a brown leather couch.
A couple holding hands outdoors in a garden, with a woman holding a newborn baby; the man is wearing a light blue shirt and shorts, the woman is wearing a black dress, and a small dog is standing nearby.
Four children lying on a white bed, smiling and looking at the camera. The children include an older girl with dark hair, a baby girl with a bow in her hair, a young girl with light brown hair, and a toddler girl with blonde hair.
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A sleeping baby with light skin and dark hair lying on a white blanket with green and black floral patterns, wearing a beige outfit with a zipper.
Three children lying on a bed, with two older boys on each side of a baby, smiling and looking at the baby.
A couple sitting on a gray couch, holding a newborn baby, seen through an arched mirror with a black frame in a cozy living room. There is a window with a closed blind, a framed picture on the wall, and a blue patterned pillow on the couch.
A young child with curly hair leans over the side of a white, textured bassinet, reaching in towards a sleeping baby wrapped in a patterned blanket.
A family of three sitting on a tan couch in a cozy living room, smiling at the camera. The mother is holding a baby, and the father is sitting beside them. Behind them is a white fireplace with decorative objects and a plant in a woven basket.
Two women sitting on a brown couch holding a newborn baby together in a cozy living room.
An infant lying on a quilted white blanket, wearing a dark knitted hoodie with bear ears and matching sweater with wooden buttons.
A happy baby lying on a bed, being gently held by an adult, with eyes closed and smiling.
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