You are planning to get your newborn photos done but not sure what to expect. Here you will find a complete guide to newborn photography at home. It should give you an excellent idea of what kind of newborn photos you might be getting and what are the main considerations.
- Why do a newborn photoshoot at home?
- When Should newborn photos be taken?
- Lifestyle newborn session awake or asleep.
- Newborn photography at home in real life moments.
- What should you wear for newborn pictures?
- How to prepare for newborn session at home.
- Newborn sibling photos at home photo session.
- Pets and newborns during a home photo session.
- Ideas for a newborn photo session at home.
Why do a newborn photoshoot at home?
Your baby has just arrived and leaving the house for the newborn photo session might be the last thing on your mind. Your family life is settling. Everything revolves around managing sleep, feeds and time to time sorting out home.
If you will search for a newborn photographer, you might be slightly dazzled by all choices. You have an option to do posed studio newborn session or have more natural newborn photography at home. Choice of how you would like these photos to look like is very personal.
If you will search for a newborn photographer, you might be slightly dazzled by all choices. You have an option to do posed studio newborn session or have more natural newborn photography at home. Choice of how you would like these photos to look like is very personal. You can check my whole guide on newborn session at home VS studio style photo shoot.
One of the obvious reasons would be that you don’t need to leave your home. No need to pack everything, trying to remember what to bring. The photographer would come to you and they have all the equipment they need to create beautiful newborn photos for you.
Everything that you need is already at your home. The sessions are never rushed and if you can sneak into the kitchen, make a sandwich and keep enjoying the day.
When Should newborn photos be taken?
Here is the beauty of home newborn photoshoots, there is no restriction in age. When you come to the studio for posed newborn photos, you would be advised to come within the first couple of weeks. Babies are easier to mould into their positions.
During the home session, the focus would be to create natural mostly unposed baby portraits. These sessions could be done pretty much at any stage. Still, if you would like more sleepy curled up poses, then probably within the first couple of weeks is a good idea. Don’t panic if your baby is already 4 weeks, there are still plenty of ways to make nice newborn photos.
Lifestyle newborn session awake or asleep.
Over the years I have noticed that even if parents are expecting those posed sleepy shots, very often they would choose awake newborn photos for their wall portraits. Especially if there is the interaction between parents and baby or with siblings. It shows more of babies character and who would not love babies interaction.
Lifestyle newborn session at home
During lifestyle newborn session we don’t need to worry about perfection. I let babies do what they naturally do. If you are after more posed newborn photos, make sure all safety precautions are addressed and photographers are safety trained.
Newborn photography at home in real life moments.
These portraits are all about celebrating your new baby and building a bond. Enjoying and embracing a special time in your lives.
The advantage of doing a home newborn session is to document all those little moments in your own house. Moments like mum cuddling a baby or giving a feed while in the babies nursery. Dad settling newborn or snoozing away with a baby on the chest. I mean this type of portrait will bring you back to these memories. You will instantly remember how you felt then and how important these memories are. You would have a very personal story to tell and I would be there to document it.
What should you wear for newborn pictures?
I have made a comprehensive guide on what to wear during newborn session. It mainly focuses on studio photo sessions, but can easily be applied for home sessions too. The main idea is to wear comfortable smart casual clothing. Avoid big logos, patterns, stripes across the body. Try to colour coordinate for family photos.
Babies wear something that fits them really well. Try to avoid big oversize baby grows. I have a few knitted outfits I bring with me. I also bring with me a few wraps or we can keep the baby with no clothes on. Again the choice is yours. When I arrive I always look at your selections and decide on the spot.
How to prepare for newborn session at home.
I have made a comprehensive newborn photoshoot preparation guide. It focuses more on studio sessions, but bases are the same.
- I always recommend to tidy up house a bit. Especially the main rooms. Normally baby nursery, if we are doing photos on the bed then bedroom too and of course living room.
- If you would like to include some items into the photos then prepare those too. Things like a special toy or maybe some heirloom items like blankets. If we are doing bed shots, make sure bed linen is fresh and plain light colours. Ideally no creases.
- Make your home a little bit warmer. I recommend having a couple of degrees warmer than usual. Especially if you are thinking to do some bare skin newborn photos.
- If your house doesn’t have much daylight, I can bring my own studio light with me. I would ask you to send me some photos of your rooms and we can determine at the time if there is any additional lighting equipment required.
Newborn sibling photos at home photo session.
Siblings would introduce me to a new baby and want to show their room, favourite toys and lets play together.
They feel much safer and very often there is no need for warm up time. At the same time, I always suggest not to tell siblings, please smile and be nice to the photographer. It will make them feel anxious and when I arrive they would try to close off.
An easy playful approach is a way to go here, guys. Make nice interactions and just enjoy the moments.
Watch how I did a full newborn photoshoot at home
Pets and newborns during a home photo session.
You would not want to leave out your first fur baby. I love working with dogs and cats. These would super important portraits for you to have. If parents would like to include their cat into newborn photos, I always recommend a home session. There is no way they would pose during the studio shoot.
Dogs are my soft spot so if you have one, please let me photograph it. We can do simple candid photos with them together. Doesn’t have to be all super posed and perfect.
Ideas for a newborn photo session at home.
Celebrate this moment in life, embrace it.
Leave all worries and focus on your connection with the baby. Let me take care of all the photography aspects. I want you to enjoy and have fun during newborn photoshoot. These portraits will be so special in years to come and I will make sure you will proudly display them at your home and remember these little moments every day.
I hope you enjoyed this home photo session guide. Check out my How to do DIY newborn session at home guide.
