How to Prep Your Home for a Lifestyle Newborn Session | Chattanooga and Cleveland Family Photographer

Lifestyle newborn sessions are such a special time for you to celebrate your new bundle of joy! It allows you to look back on the intimate moments you spent with your sweet baby as you share in all the emotion and love as he or she creates that special place in your heart that no other person could fill. Shooting this type of session in the comfort of your own home allows you to be more comfortable and relaxed while having all the resources at your fingertips. Want to hear the best part? These photos will document your real life with your baby! I will show through my camera what it’s like to be in your home in the first few days or weeks after you bring home the newest member of your family!

Bringing a photographer into your home so soon after giving birth can feel overwhelming and maybe a bit stressful, but it definitely doesn’t have to be! With some simple tips, you can prepare your home in no time!

DE-CLUTTER

Your home does not have to be perfect! Simply picking up things like burp cloths, the breast pump, and extra pacifiers in the nursery and storing in the closet during the session is super easy but makes such a big difference. Placing items in the room where they’re supposed to go is helpful so we can capture the small details in the room like prints, a lamp, or special heirloom that belonged to your grandmother.

FILL THE ROOM WITH LIGHT!

I use a lot of natural light during my lifestyle sessions, so make sure that the curtains are completely open and the shades are up to bring in as much as light as possible! Make sure ALL overhead lights and lamps are turned off. I will be able to capture better images without different kinds of light. It may seem darker than usual, but my camera will be able to handle just the natural light coming through the windows.

HAVE YOUR OUTFITS READY – WITH EXTRAS

Because I edit closer to a bright color and airy style, picking out light-colored or solid neutral outfits for your baby is best. For the mom, it’s good to wear a solid color outfit or dress but make sure you’re comfortable during your session. Always have back-up outfits for everyone because the baby may have blow out or an upset tummy during the session.

PREP THE CRIB

Use a neutral or white colored crib sheet in the nursery. A patterned or bright color might reflect upon the baby’s face and it will be more difficult for me to fix this during the editing process. You want the focus to all be on the baby and not the sheet, so using a neutral color is best. If you don’t have a neutral sheet, you can easily pick up one for $10 at Target.

MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS FED AND HAPPY

Start feeding your baby about 20 minutes before I arrive, then do a diaper change, and put them into their first outfit. Be prepared to do some extra feedings just in case the baby becomes fussy! If you have any siblings, grab a snack for them and a movie to keep them entertained during the first part of the session. That way, the session can focus on the baby and then the siblings can be added back in to the later part of the shoot. If you have pets that you want to incorporate into your photos, it’s important to make sure they are happy as well! Having pets fed, clean and ready to go for the session is super helpful too!

Following these simple tips to help prep your home and baby will make your lifestyle session go smoothly! If you are expecting this year, I would love to chat with you about a photo session in your home with your new bundle of joy! Click on the link below to send me a message!