Some of the most common questions I get from my in-home newborn session clients are related to the home itself. And you know what? I get it! As a mom of three, I’m familiar with never-ending laundry and can remember all too well what it felt like to be in survival mode with a newborn. It makes sense to me that my clients might be a little anxious about having me in their home to photograph it during such a vulnerable time, but I’m here to tell you: don’t sweat it! Here are a few realistic, manageable ways to prepare for an in-home newborn session.
Cleaning for In-Home Newborn Photos
If you’re a mom considering a lifestyle newborn session in your home, I’d guess the first question you have is do I need to clean my whole house? Ready for some good news? The answer is no, you don’t have to clean your entire house! As a newborn parent, you’re up to your postpartum eyeballs in feedings and diapers. No one, newborn photographers especially, expects your home to be spotless. Instead, we’re going to make your to-do list as small as possible.
Choosing the Space for In-Home Newborn Sessions
When you pick the rooms you want to be featured in your photos, consider the rooms with the best light (think windows that face South, East or West.) These are the rooms you’re going to focus on tidying before your session.
Declutter the Space
Take a look around these rooms and tuck away any items that might be distracting in the photos. Some of the things I recommend hiding away are chargers, diaper caddies, baby bottles, books, watches, and similar things that take away from otherwise beautiful images. Here’s a bonus tip: feel free to fill a laundry basket with whatever you want to hide for your session and toss it behind a closed door.
Final In-Home Session Checklist
We’ve covered the biggest questions/concerns of an in-home session. Here are a few more things to consider right before we get started:
- No one has a good time when they’re hangry, so make sure everyone has a snack (or a feeding for the newborn star of the show) before photos.
- Empty those pockets! While you’re at it, be sure to remove Apple watches/fitness trackers and hair ties from your wrists. If it’s not timeless or an intentional part of the outfit, it’s gotta go.
- Let in the natural light by opening curtains and blinds.
- Turn off any lamps or overhead lighting (again, natural lighting is the goal)
- Do a final sweep of the areas we’ll be photographing & clear out any clutter or items you don’t want to be included in the photos. (Throw any dirty dishes into the dishwasher and hide the laundry baskets.)
- Hype up the session with your little people! While you’re checking off those last few chores, talk about how much fun you’ll have to help things run smoothly.
- Get ready to have fun & share some snuggles!
Houston Newborn Photos
Trust me when I say there won’t be any judgement coming from me during your in-home newborn session! I also won’t be getting any close-ups of your baseboards in any of the shots or grading you on your unfolded laundry. This season of your baby’s life will pass so quickly that one day you’ll be thankful you didn’t let your focus on having a spotless home prevent you from capturing this stage with photos. From one mama to the next, your family and your home are more than enough and deserve to being remembered with a lifestyle session.
Texas Newborn Photographer
Hey, I’m Melanie B of Mel B Photo. As a newborn, maternity, and family photographer serving the Tomball, Cypress, and Spring areas of Houston, TX, I’m here to capture every chapter of your young family’s story. Ready to invest in a stress-free experience and emotion-packed, authentic images to remember every detail of this stage of life? Check out my newborn packages here and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest for tips & inspiration! Want to book your session or have more questions? Contact me here. Let’s create memories together!
If you liked this post, check out these related blogs:
Behind the Scenes at a Lifestyle Newborn Session
6 Tips for What to Wear for Newborn Sessions
5 Unique Items to Use in a Newborn Session
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