SPOKANE NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER: Preparing for In-Home Photo Sessions
Beauty can be found in any room with any style, but here are some no fail tips for those who are concerned about in home sessions. I’m aware that homes are “lived-in” and never expect perfection. We’re all human and often have new babies during these sessions. Much of this preparation can be done before baby is born to keep the stress as low as possible. AND you always have the choice to do nothing and wait for me to come over and help you set up for pictures. I do not want new parents stressing about their home over their new baby. This is all just preparation tips, because I am frequently asked. This is all best case scenario and we all know that life doesn’t always work that way.
Check Lighting. Walk around your home between 10 AM and Noon, find which rooms have the most natural light. Preferred rooms to shoot in would be master bed, nursery, a well decorated guest room or the living room.
Simplify Decor. Remove a duvet cover so that the bedding is white or a neutral color without bold patterns. Pull excessive decor from the walls if you’re concerned about busyness.
Tidy Up. Throw clothes into a hamper in the closet. Make sure bed sheets are well tucked in on the edge of the bed. Hide excess charging cables and things that tend to accumulate on night stands.
Wall Art- Pull down motivational words, graphics, bright items. Anything that could be distracting.
Symetry. Look for symmetry in the room, mostly from the foot of the bed. Is the wall art centered. Are the night stands sitting the same distance from the bed. Do the lamps match- if not consider removing them.
AGAIN, I want my newborn sessions as relaxed as possible and if you are not able to do these things, it is OKAY. I am always willing to help tidy a home that I’m taking pictures in. After I had my baby I felt like I had been hit by a truck, I still think my pelvis might have been broken, followed by a colicky, reflux, constantly rooting breastfed baby. So, I of anyone, absolutely understand what those early days are like and let me tell you, when I took my own newborn photos, I would have given anything to have a maid come clean up my house for me prior to pictures.
Let me do the work, you just love on your new baby and we will make some magical pictures happen.
SPOKANE NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER: Preparing for Newborn Photo Session
Preparing for a Newborn Session shouldn’t be complicated. Your focus should be on your baby during the newborn days. Here’s a little checklist of what to do in preparation for your in-home newborn photos.
Dress Comfortably, but cute. Check out my guide to styling indoor sessions here. Gather any items like blankets, outfits or other special items before I arrive.
Lower Expectations. Big changes are happening in your home and body, it’s okay to feel tired or unlike yourself, so go easy on yourself and your family members. Leave the stress of making everyone look good up to me, I have many tricks up my sleeve to help. Let your children be as they are, there’s no need to sweat the small stuff on picture day.
Do not clean your house. You should be spending your time with your new baby so please do not feel like you need to clean for me. I see many many homes with new babies and I promise you I am not judging, I have been in your shoes, my furniture got rearranged and wasn’t put back for months. I will help you with tidying the space that we’re in when I arrive.
Prioritize baby and family wellness over everything. If your baby needs a diaper change, a feed, please feel free to take care of yourself, your new baby, and your family. I do suggest getting yourself and everyone else in the house a snack before I arrive just so everyone is energized.
Check the temperature on your home thermostat. Be sure that your home is a comfortable temperature for your new baby, Sometimes I take nursing photos or nearly nude photos of the baby, so keeping baby warm and comfortable is important.
My hope is that this little checklist is helpful to new parents who want newborn photos done in their home. Focus on your baby and the rest will work itself out.
SPOKANE NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER: Styling Your In-Home Session
SPOKANE NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION
Styling indoor sessions comes with a unique set of challenges. Keeping outfits for indoor or at home sessions as simple as possible is the way to go. I like to think of it as you’re getting dressed up to leave the house, but then don’t end up going.
Dress Mom First. Number one rule in all session styling. Mom you will set the level of formality for the whole family. Keep it casual. I love leggings and a sweater. A pair of rolled up jeans and a t-shirt. Add a clean and simple piece of jewelry.
Colors. I like warm neutral colors for in home sessions. Gray tones can also be nice, just depending on the style and colors in your home. Just know that if gray tones are selected, the photos may have a “cooler” look rather than a warm look. Think rainy day vs sunny day, both can be cozy but they are different.
Be Comfortable. I think a comfortable casual look works best for in home sessions. Especially considering this is often for newborn sessions. I want everyone to be comfortable and have an easy time putting the look together. Over dressing in home, may look out of place, so just keep it as natural as possible.
Accessories. Keep them simple and limited. I like to be as minimalist as possible when styling in home sessions because there can be a lot of design elements in any given home. Consider going barefoot.
Have more questions about how I handle in-home newborn sessions? Click the button below to reach out to me!