How to prepare for your Lifestyle Newborn Session.

Having a baby brings a whirlwind of emotions, let alone stressing about having photos in your home.

Newborn sessions at home are the absolute best! No stress of having to pack the change bag for every eventuality or getting out of the house on time. Everything is to hand and although each baby is different in temperament, they are often more settled in the warmth and familiarity of their home.

Here are some tips to help you prepare and hopefully ease any worries.

Where?

You do not need to stress about the state of your house

Cleaning should be at the bottom of the ‘to do’ list when you’ve got a Newborn baby. The best thing is to decide on where you would like the photos and focus your attention on de-cluttering that space, even if it’s just stashing some stuff from that room to the next for the time being. On the day I can move any items out of shot anyhow. Trust me, I know how it is!

Most Newborn sessions are either in the nursery, master bedroom, or lounge. Or a combination of all of these places.

If you would like some shots in your bedroom, be sure to have a bedspread that isn’t too bright or with a distracting pattern. Otherwise, just a plain bed sheet will be perfect.

Natural Light

Open those curtains and blinds wide but keep the lights off.

I prefer to utilise the natural light available, so need as much light as possible for your beautiful photos. Before setting on a time, decide on the room(s) you would like the session in and watch for when the light is best in those spaces. This can help you decide on a time to suit you.

What should we wear?

Think casual, comfy, and loose-fitting.

Layers are especially great, such as soft and chunky cardigans. If you are wearing a nursing bra, try to wear something where the straps are not visible.

For baby, think neutral. I want to be able to see their gorgeous little feet too so a long sleeve vest works well. Or footless baby grows.

Will baby get cold?

For a newborn session up the heating a tad

We want to be sure they are comfortable and have a nice blanket to hand to cuddle baby in if they get a little chilly. Some babies run warm and if it’s boiling outside then you won’t need to increase your heating. Use your intuition as to what’s best for your situation.

Do you use props?

I do not use props or swaddle baby

As you have probably already realised, it’s not my style to use props or wrap baby into positions. In fact I do not even handle little one as for most of the session their are cuddled into your arms (where they are happiest) but if you have a special blanket you want to include then we most certainly can.

Baby-led approach

We can be flexible during the session and follow baby’s lead.

Before the session try and get baby dressed ready, fed, and burped. Fed babies are generally happy ones, but don’t worry if they won’t, if they need feeding, a nappy change or settling during the session, well that's life with a Newborn and I’m there to capture that too!

The smaller details

Clean + Tidy fingernails

Don’t forget to keep your fingernails clean and moisturise your hands, a lot of shots will involve you holding little one. If your baby’s skin looks flaky or dry you can use a little hypoallergenic baby lotion leading up to your session and apply a small amount on the day. I expect to edit out some milk spots and tiny scratches, so don’t worry about that.

Getting in the frame

You were there too

My ultimate goal in a Newborn session is to capture you as a family and although the focus is primarily on your newborn baby. It’s just as important to get parents and any siblings in the frame too.

Just remember that ultimately a newborn session is time set aside to capture you as a family and is a chance to give that little baby of yours a cuddle and focus whilst I’m the one busily working around you.