Preparing for an in-home lifestyle newborn photography session is no easy task for parents. While this should be an enjoyable time for you and your family, it can be very stressful, especially when you don’t know what you need to get organized in advance. But once I gave them my 6 tips to help prepare the in-home newborn session, they enjoyed the day so much more.
Take my word for it: your newborn photoshoot at home doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you think. I’ve lost count of the number of families who I’ve worked with in the past who were dreading their child’s session at first.
To ensure you don’t go through the same problems, I’ve made this list of the 6 things that will help you better prepare for your lifestyle newborn photography session. If you follow these tips, you’ll be appropriately organized for your shoot with me in Seattle.
Knowing when you want your newborn photoshoot at home will give you a headstart on the preparations. Remember that your baby will only be tiny for a certain period, so you’ll want to book your package if you want to remember that tiny phase. Most people reach out to me when they are pregnant and want to book their sessions with me. Then, after the baby is born, we’ll coordinate and set the session time between 5 and 30 days from then.
It also provides your family members that you want to appear in the shoot plenty of notice in case they have to take time off work or put some of their other commitments on hold.
I always recommend that mothers contact me during their pregnancy so they can secure the dates they want instead of leaving it until the last minute. It also allows us to discuss the price of your newborn package and time to prepare for the session and better understand the style of shoot the family would like to go for.
It doesn’t hurt to declutter your home a little bit before getting your family photos with your newborn. However, you don’t need to overdo it; your humble abode doesn’t need to be immaculate by any stretch, just a simple tidy will do.
I’m a mother with two children, and I know how hard it can be when a little one has come along, and you’re trying to keep the house looking presentable while caring for a baby. So try not to worry too much about how good your home looks; how beautiful your connection with your child looks on camera matters more than the setting.
When it comes to shooting time, you’ll have to decide whether you want your baby asleep or awake for the session.Everyone has their own preference, but each option requires some preparation so you can pull it off properly.
If you want your baby to be asleep in their first photo shoot, you should try to keep them awake for a couple of hours beforehand so you don’t have any trouble with them when you need them to sleep. The last thing you want is to rock them and hope for the best that they eventually close their eyes without any disturbance.
However, some families want to make sure their child is awake for the session, and that’s perfectly fine. If you prefer this option, you’ll want your baby to be well-rested before we kick things off so they’re full of energy and less cranky than they would be if they were tired.
All mothers want their babies to look the cutest they can on the day of their lifestyle newborn photo session, and the best way to do that is by dressing them up in adorable outfits.
You should select a couple of outfits for your child to wear for the shoot so we can get a nice variety of shots. If you’re unsure about what outfits to get for your baby, I provide style and wardrobe assistance with all my newborn photography packages in Seattle, which will aid you in making your choice.
Don’t forget to loosen your baby’s clothes and diaper at the latest 30 minutes before the shoot begins. This way, there won’t be any smudges or marks on their body beforehand. There’s no need to panic if there are some you can’t get rid of, though, as I can photoshop them if needed.
There’s nothing worse than trying to calm down a hungry baby. If the child is crying uncontrollably before their newborn shoot is about to begin, it will only unsettle you as well. Remember, you want to be relaxed too.
To avoid this, you should feed them around 20 to 30 minutes before we commence the shoot. It’s always good to have an extra bottle ready, just in case they act up in the middle of getting photographed.
Babies aren’t like adults; they get a lot colder than us, so it’s essential to keep the room for your photoshoot for your newborn at the right temperature. Them being irritated isn’t good for anyone; you want them to be cozy and comfortable, making everything run a bit smoother.
Have you been exhausted searching for a lifestyle newborn photographer near you in Seattle? I’m here to help you. I hope these 6 tips are helpful to prepare you for your in-home newborn session.
I’m an award-winning newborn photographer based in the Seattle area and an expert at capturing families and their new arrivals through my lens with their vision in mind.
If you’re interested in my newborn baby lifestyle photography services, don’t hesitate to contact me through my Contact Page. I’ll be in touch with you within 1 to 2 days, and we can start planning your session in Seattle.