I think the most number of questions come about with newborn sessions. (and rightfully so) Many of you are brand new parents and on top of figuring out how to do the whole parent thing, you’re inviting someone to come into your home to document it. No pressure right? Let me make it a little easier on you. I’ll answer some of the questions I get the most.
Most asked questions at a Lifestyle Newborn Session
What is a Lifestyle newborn session?
A Lifestyle newborn session is a photo session most often shot in the comfort of your home. These sessions focus on the first days of your newborn, capturing your family’s life as you welcome this new little member. The intention is to document the uniqueness of this time and the little details that are easy to forget so that you can remember it forever. It’s just your family…the way that you see them.
When should I start the booking process for my Newborn Session?
If you’re wanting to include a maternity session, the best time to begin the booking process is 3-4 months before your due date. Why this early? Starting the process this early give you time to decide when you feel the most comfortable shooting while at the same time making sure we have the best chance to have photograph in the case of early delivery.
If maternity sessions aren’t your thing, no problem. In this case, it’s best to start the booking process roughly 2-3 months before you’re expected to deliver. This does a few things:
- It gets this extra item off your checklist before you welcome your new little love. You have lots of other things to do to prepare and this is an easy thing to plan ahead of time.
- In the case you deliver before your due date, booking at this time will keep you prepared and organized for whenever your bundle of joy decides to join the world.
When do I need to schedule my in-home newborn session?
Lifestyle newborn sessions tend to be most often between 10-14 days of life. This is for a few reasons:
- At this stage of life, your little one is still really sleepy. It’s just so cute.
- This is typically before the onset of the infamous “baby acne”.
- Their face and skin have had time to recover from the actual childbirth. The redness and bruising have had a chance to fade.
Now, there is one quite large caveat to this. Not every newborn transitions to home within a matter of days. Some babies have extended stays in the NICU or some mothers have medical emergencies, amongst a myriad of other scenarios. This by no means disqualifies you from being able to partake in a lifestyle newborn session. The purpose of these sessions is to document your life most accurately. If that means your newborn is a little bit older or we are photographing in the NICU (hospital permitting), there is reason to embrace that. It’s your story, and your photos will reflect the exact memory of what life was really like.
What should we wear for our in-home session?
Most simply stated, you should be comfortable and not steal focus. Almost every photo is going to include that new baby, so you’d hate for your wardrobe to draw your eye away. This can be a comfy dress for moms and little girls or jeans with muted/neutral colors for dads. The vibe that I find photographs best is casual looks without bright/distracting prints or colors.
One side note for dads: Do any dads feel weird about showing their feet?!? You’re not the first one to have this dilemma. We don’t have to go to the other end of the spectrum by wearing shoes when taking photos on your bed. Socks are welcome. Just make sure they are plain colored and don’t say “HANES” or “FRUIT OF THE LOOM” on the bottom. Ha.
An extra little tip: I find textures really fun. So instead of wearing that bold print, a solid colored textured shirt or dress can be a way to add interest.
What do I need to do to prepare?
There is much less to do than you might think for a newborn session, but here is a simple list of things that you can check off before your session:
- Don’t clean your whole home: There is no need to clean every single spot in your home. One easy way to prep is to walk around your home and think of some of the places where you want photos to be taken. This can be in the nursery, parent’s bedroom, or even just the places with the best light. (think windows)
- Have sentimental items ready to go: Items like handmade blankets, precious family items, or anything else that you want to use to include in your session.
- Feed beforehand: For your baby, they will be happiest throughout the session if their bellies are full right before I arrive to photograph. This ensures that your nugget can fall asleep and stay asleep with no extra steps.
What if my house is dark?
THAT IS OKAY. If I had to guess your home has a window or two right? The look of your session may not be bright and airy, but even with a small amount of light, it can still be beautiful.
Do I need to clean my house?
The answer to this one is yes and no. YES, I understand you don’t want your home’s worth of dirty laundry to be documented to remember for the rest of eternity. However, there is absolutely NO need to have your entire house clean top to bottom. That is just completely unreasonable. Plus, we will not be photographing in every square inch of your home. If you just push some baby bottles to the side or move a basinet to the other room, that is enough to get the job done. I am the parent of 3 children. Trust me there is not an ounce of judgment coming from me.
Can parents and siblings be included?
YES, YES and I’ll add one more YES. Parents are part of the story, siblings are part of the story, and pets (if you have them) are part of the story. This session is about you and your family. In my opinion, it would be weird not to include them.
Want more inspiration?
Check out this Adoption Newborn Session
or this NICU Newborn Session.
Melanie B of Mel B Photo is a professional photographer based in Tomball, Cypress, and The Woodlands, TX. I specialize in Newborn, Family, and Maternity Photography. For more information on packages with me and/or opportunities to book, feel free to visit my website.
Specific Newborn Packages can be found HERE.
Have more questions about Newborn Session?
Check out my Behind the Scenes at a Newborn Session.
-Mel B.
Mel B Photo
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