HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR IN HOME LIFESTYLE NEWBORN SESSION
Welcoming a new baby is a whirlwind of exhaustion and celebration. Things that used to be so easy like getting dressed and brushing your teeth can now feel like a daily struggle. Having welcomed three beautiful daughters into our home, I completely understand this struggle and that’s why my aim is for your session to be the easiest thing on your list of things to do postpartum. In this blog post I am going to share with you a few easy tips on preparing you, your baby and your home for your in home newborn photo session.
Preparing your home: When I arrive, I will ask for a tour around your home and look for the best lit areas of your home to use for our session. I will often use the living room, master bedroom, and nursery for photos. I know what it is like to have a newborn, the newborn season is a messy time, a lot of undone dishes and things lying around the house. Please don't feel like you have to clean the house before I arrive, we can easily tidy the areas that we choose to use for photos. There is no point worrying about cleaning the whole house when we haven’t chosen our areas yet, plus you will be tired and have more important things to do like caring for your sweet newborn. I do recommend turning up the heat, I don’t have a perfect temperature because all babies and homes are different but slightly warmer than your regular temperature keeps babies nice and settled. If dad is too hot, that’s probably a perfect temperature - sorry not sorry dads.
Preparing your baby: Your newborn is perfect just the way he or she is. An alert baby is just as beautiful as a sleeping baby so there is no need to stress about getting your baby to sleep, but if your session is booked within two weeks of his or her arrival chances are they will be sleepy. I recommend feeding your baby as much as he or she wants about fifteen minutes before I arrive. Newborn sessions can take some time and that is okay, the priority is you and your baby are taken care of. Take all the time you need for feeding, changing and calming that also includes you momma! If you are breastfeeding and comfortable feeding in front of me we can chat all things motherhood while you feed and I can snap a few breastfeeding photos for you and if you’re not and prefer to feed in privacy take all the time you need and I will happily wait for you. I don't try and pose babies in unnatural poses, they are happiest and best photographed snuggled in your arms.
If you are borrowing items from the client closet I suggest having your baby swaddled with just their diaper on and then we can get their outfit on without bothering them too much once I arrive. If you are using your own clothing I suggest you have your newborn in an outfit that is form fitting with no harsh graphics or words, this usually means you will need a preemie or newborn sized outfit.
We will let your baby guide the session while capturing this beautiful milestone.
Preparing siblings: If this is not your first baby then we will also be preparing the sibling or siblings. I know bringing a new baby home can be a major change for little ones, I have no expectations for the siblings and will never force them into doing anything they aren't comfortable with - if you also do that the session will be far less stressful for you. Knowing that they may loose interest very quickly I always try to start the session with the full family photos and the sibling photos. If they will eat, make sure sure they have full bellies before I arrive. Having a non messy snack ready for when we are finished their photos will keep them busy while we continue our session. Let’s try not to plan our start time right at their nap time or lunch time. It is helpful to not surprise them with the session and to let them know that a friend is coming to take some photos.
Preparing for solo baby photos: For the solo baby photos at the end, I do a small set up using a bassinet if you have one or simply placing them on a cozy surface near some nice light. This is a great time to get those sentimental items out and include them in our session, if you have any favourite or meaningful items like grandpa built cribs or grandma made blankets, let me know so we can find creative ways to include them. A comfy blanket and simple swaddle are really all you need to grab timeless moments of your precious newborn and their details. I will also be looking for items with interesting texture and colours around your home to use as well like rugs or pillows.
Preparing your wardrobe: When thinking about what to wear think you. You want to be the best version of you in your photos. Have your clothing chosen before you give birth if possible so that it will be one less thing to have to think about postpartum. A back up outfit is also a good idea because you never know what may happen with a newborn. Once your session is booked I send out my very detailed what to wear guide and I can help you plan your outfits - just ask!
Preparing the parents: You will likely be exhausted, over the moon but exhausted. Having a newborn is both hard and wonderful. This is always easier said than done - I know, but the most important thing you could do for you session is to try to relax. Remember I have three daughters, I have seen and had a messy house, I know what it’s like when your kids don’t behave how you wanted them to and trust me when I say this, it always works out. If we go into these sessions with no expectations and let them unfold how they want it always ends up better then trying to force something. We can plan out every detail and have a vision of how it will go in our heads and then when it doesn’t happen we can end up feeling frustrated or disappointed. It took me a very long time to learn this lesson and I hope I can pass what I have learnt onto you. You’re beautiful, your baby is perfect, your family is wonderful and those are the things we will capture, how ever they unfold.