5 REASONS TO BOOK A HOME SESSION FOR YOUR NEWBORN
Booking a newborn home session offers several benefits:
1. Comfort and Convenience: Newborns and parents are more relaxed in their own home environment. No need to travel to a studio, which can be stressful for both baby and parents shortly after birth.
2. Natural Moments: In-home sessions allow for more candid, meaningful shots, capturing the authentic interactions of the family. The surroundings help create images that tell a story and reflect the family’s unique environment.
3. Personalized Setting: The home is where the family’s journey begins. Photographs in this setting add personal significance and showcase special details, such as the nursery or favorite spots around the house.
4. Flexibility: A home session offers more flexibility with timing, allowing for breaks to feed, change, and comfort the baby as needed.
5. Soft, Natural Light: The home setting allows the photographer to make use of natural light, which enhances the softness and beauty of the images.
By choosing a home session, families can enjoy a relaxed, meaningful experience that reflects their true day-to-day life with their newborn.
WHEN TO SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION?
Newborns often experience a growth spurt around week 2 and embark on cluster feeding. Digestive gripes and baby acne can also kick in. That’s why I aim to photograph newborns before they reach the 12-day mark. Scheduling the session between 7-10 days allows me to capture your newborn at their tiniest and most comfortable.
Given this short turnaround, please reach out to me as soon as you give birth to ensure availability. The best time of day for in-home newborn photos is during daylight, typically in the morning hours. I always suggest a session around 9-10 AM, as this time provides the best morning light and often means a well-rested little one. During this period, babies are usually the happiest, whereas afternoons and evenings can lead to the witching hour and general fatigue for everyone.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY NEWBORN SESSION?
To prepare for your newborn home session, here are a few tips based on my photography style, which emphasizes brightness and simplicity, incorporating both posed and spontaneous shots:
Maximizing Natural Light: Start by opening all blinds and curtains to let natural light flood in, enhancing the brightness and beauty of your photos. Make sure that no direct sunlight creates harsh rays in the rooms we will use.
Preparing the Space: For baby solo portraits, prepare the parental bed in a neutral tone. Adding a few extra pillows can help fill up corners and assist with posing. For family poses, the parental room works wonders, as does a well-arranged living room couch in uncluttered surroundings. Your home doesn’t need to be perfectly staged—lived-in, cozy environments are wonderful. We typically use the master suite, nursery, and living room, so simply tidy up and stash away any clutter in those areas.
Props and Details: While I prioritize capturing natural moments, I also offer a few props, such as letter boards, wooden blocks, and hand-knitted wraps with matching bonnets or headbands to complement your baby’s swaddle. Fresh flowers, keepsakes, or cherished family blankets make lovely personal additions to the session.
Family Involvement: I encourage all family members to participate in the session, making the experience even more meaningful. If you have specific requests or personal items you’d like to include, we can discuss them in advance to ensure everything is ready on the day.
By following these tips, we can create beautiful, bright, and timeless photos that capture these precious moments in a way that feels natural and uniquely yours.
HOW TO DRESS?
1. Comfort First: Soft, neutral-toned clothing works best for both parents and baby. Light grays, creams, or pastels set a calm, serene mood in the photos, allowing the focus to stay on the baby and the connection between family members.
2. Coordinate, Don’t Match: Choose outfits that complement each other rather than matching exactly. Soft textures and colors create a cohesive look without being overly uniform, bringing out the beauty of your interactions without distraction.
3. Avoid Logos and Bold Patterns: For a timeless look, avoid clothing with logos or bold patterns. Solid colors help maintain focus on your family’s bond, ensuring the images remain classic and elegant for years to come.
4. Layers and Textures: Adding layers—whether through soft knits, wraps, or blankets—introduces depth and coziness to your images. These little details help keep your baby snug and bring an inviting, warm feel to the photos.
5. Baby’s Outfit: We can go through up to 3 styles for the baby, so keep it simple. A snug onesie and a few swaddles is all that’s needed to highlight your little one’s delicate features. I also offer textured swaddles, hand-knitted wraps with bonnets and headbands, which complement the baby’s natural features well. Be sure to have a backup outfit just in case of spit-ups or blowouts.
For Moms: Flowy sundresses (even in winter!) photograph beautifully, adding movement and grace to your shots. They also keep the look light and airy. Neutral bedding or subtle pops of color in your home decor, like pillows or artwork, can further enhance the images and bring warmth without taking focus away from your connection as a family.
For Dads: Opt for comfortable, well-fitted clothing in neutral tones. A simple button-up shirt, a polo or a cozy sweater can look great. This allows you to move easily while still looking polished. Avoid busy patterns or logos to keep the focus on the family connections and moments captured during the session.
Tip: Don’t worry about perfection—natural and relaxed interactions make for the most authentic images. Your home should feel like home, with a bit of tidying up for simplicity!
HOW TO KEEP EVERYONE HAPPY?
- Ensure a cozy atmosphere by warming up the room to keep your baby calm.
- Feed your little one about 20 minutes before the appointment, and change their diaper and outfit for a fresh start.
- Be prepared for bonus feedings if your baby starts to fuss during the shoot.
- If there are older siblings, engage them with a snack and their favorite movie or activity to keep them occupied.
- Focus on capturing beautiful moments with the baby for the first part of the session.
- Once we’ve gotten the essential shots of your new bundle of joy, welcome the older siblings to join in on the fun!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Capturing your family’s earliest moments is priceless. My Home Sessions offer a relaxed setting where your baby’s needs and rhythms take priority, creating an intimate, natural story of your early days together. This approach weaves a complete narrative around the unique connections within your family.
PRICE: $500
✔ 90-minute in-home photography session, scheduled within the first 14 days of birth.
✔ 30 high-resolution, fully edited images in a private online gallery.
✔ Props available, including swaddles, wraps, headbands, bonnets, letter boards, and wooden blocks.
✔ Secure your session with a 50% deposit via Venmo or Zelle; balance due on session day.
✔ Additional coverage: $250 per extra hour.
✔ Extra digital images: $30 each, with discounted packages available.
✔ Archival-quality prints available through our studio.
✔ No travel fees within Brooklyn.
TIME TO BOOK!
Preparing for this significant life event is exciting! If you’re looking to discuss your expectations before the big day, please reach out before the birth. This will help us align on what you envision for your session. Then, once your little one arrives, we can promptly book your time to ensure availability before your baby reaches two weeks old. I look forward to meeting you and your precious new addition!