First things first, you do not need a Pinterest worthy home to create beautiful newborn photos in your home. Your home is the perfect backdrop for sentimental photos that you will bring you back to this place in time. Your children will feel most comfortable in your home, making it the perfect spot for a newborn photoshoot. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for your newborn session that will save you some time and help create the best experience possible.
Tip 1: Prepare certain areas of your house.
As an exhausted mom trying to get ready for a session, you might wonder what areas of the home you need to prepare. Traditionally, the nursery and primary bedroom are used a lot for newborn photos. I agree these are wonderful places to start. There are other areas to consider though. Maybe you dream of getting a cute picture of the baby taking a bath in the kitchen sink? Or do you have gorgeous light from large windows in your family room where you can all snuggle on the couch? We can work together to pick the best places to give you the best memories. Just know that you do not need to have all areas of your house looking perfect.
When helping you choose the areas to focus on, the top priority will be light. If there are areas you absolutely want to avoid, that is fine with me. It is just a good idea to have a few options of places we can take photos so that we can play with light and get the best memories for your family.
Tip 2: Open up all of your window shades, blinds, shutters, etc.
I want you to let the light flood in, so be sure to open up anything that is blocking light from coming in your windows! You will also want to turn off all overhead lights and lamps. You may not realize that light coming from lamps and overhead lights can create strange color casts and even put unflattering shadows on faces, so you will want to make sure all lights are turned off in the house. We will just take full advantage of the natural light that exists in your house.
Tip 3: Keep the house warm.
We all know newborn babies can get chilly very fast. Starting with a warm home can help the baby feel more cozy, less irritable and sleepy. If you want to get some photos just in diapers or bathing, this becomes even more important.
Tip 4: Clear the clutter.
You do not need to deep clean your home (trust me, I know how exhausting the first months are at home with a newborn)! Rather than vacuuming and dusting, just think about putting away the extra things you do not want showing in photos. This can be as easy as throwing a bunch of stuff in a laundry basket and temporarily shoving it into a closet. You will want your house to feel decluttered, but you do not need your house to look empty and not lived in. In fact, keeping some things out like toys will help remind you of this stage of life you are in. We can move stuff around as needed during the session if it is in the way, so don’t stress too much about things that are misplaced or might be in the way. You have enough things to worry about!
Tip 5: Think about your wardrobe.
Just as with any photography session, what you wear will make a big difference in how the photos turn out. Indoor photos tend to lean more casual, but that is totally up to you what you wear. I personally prefer for the baby to be wearing simple clothing in soft colors to avoid any color casts on that perfect skin. For Mom, make sure you are wearing something that you feel comfortable in and that makes you feel beautiful. Softer materials are wonderful for snuggling the baby. If other family members are involved, just make sure the family has a similar level of formality and that the colors/patterns complement each other for a cohesive look without being too matchy matchy. Adding in several neutral colors is always a great idea. I’m happy to work with you on your wardrobe and offer suggestions for colors to wear. As with any session, the most important thing is that you feel good in your clothes and love what you are wearing. P.S. You can never go wrong with bare feet for an in-home session!
Tip 6: Finally, relax and be ready to snuggle!
I cannot stress this enough. Do not worry about your baby cooperating or siblings cooperating. I want everyone to feel comfortable and I want the experience to be just as wonderful as the photos. We can take as much time as needed to get the baby to settle. I fully expect breaks for feeding the baby, changing diapers, toddler meltdowns, etc. There is no need to discipline or worry if things are not going as expected. I promise you I am getting gold! Your only job is to love on your sweet family.
As a Colorado Springs newborn photographer, I am happy to travel to homes within a 45 minute drive to downtown Colorado Springs. Please inquire if you live outside of that radius. I would love to travel to you for an additional fee. For more information on my lifestyle newborn photography sessions offered, please visit my newborn photography page.
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