Welcome to Your In-Home Newborn Lifestyle Session
When to Schedule
Please send me a quick email once baby is here so we can schedule a date. I recommend booking your session within 5–14 days after birth. Babies are still sleepy, snuggly, and less prone to baby acne during this window..it helps us create the most peaceful, timeless images.
Session Timing & Length
We’ll schedule your session between 9 AM–1 PM, when your home has the most natural light and baby is generally happiest. Sessions typically last 1.5 to 3 hours, with plenty of time for feeding, soothing, and breaks as needed.
What to Expect on the Day
When I arrive, I’ll take a little time, usually about 20 minutes, to get settled and see how the light is moving through your home. From there, we’ll typically begin in the master bedroom with some cozy family cuddles and then move organically through one to three rooms, depending on where the light feels best. I’ll guide you gently when needed, but mostly I’ll be encouraging those natural, unposed moments..snuggles, soft touches, little glances. There’s never any pressure or rush; we’ll take our time and follow baby’s lead the whole way through.
Preparing Your Home
Please don’t worry about having a perfectly clean house. I’m not here to judge or inspect…I’m here to capture love and connection. All I really need are a few rooms with good natural light, so take a look around and think about where the light pours in best. This is often the master bedroom, nursery, or living room. Before I arrive, open up all the blinds or curtains to let the light in, and if you have a white or neutral blanket or comforter, laying it over your bedding can help avoid color casting on skin. A quick tidy in those spaces, like clearing nightstands, floors, or visible clutter, is more than enough. If you can, give any mirrors or windows a quick wipe too, since I love using reflections when the moment feels right. If you have any meaningful items like an heirloom quilt or handmade blanket, feel free to include them. Those personal touches add so much beauty and meaning to your images. Even if you're in a smaller space or apartment, we can absolutely create something special together. It really comes down to light and love. And if possible, try to warm the house a bit before I arrive, especially during colder months. Babies are happiest when they’re warm, which helps them stay sleepy and relaxed during the session.
What to Wear
When it comes to what to wear, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and like yourself. I always recommend starting with something that feels good on your postpartum body, like a soft, flowy dress or a cozy sweater layered over a tank. Neutral tones such as whites, creams, soft pinks, or muted blues tend to photograph beautifully and help keep the focus on your connection with your baby. It's best to avoid loud prints, neon colors, or big logos, since they can be distracting in photos. Once you’ve chosen your outfit, you can build the rest of the family’s clothing around it using soft, complementary tones. For baby, a simple onesie, or swaddle works perfectly. If you’d like help pulling everything together, I’m always happy to assist.
Feeding & Soothing
Feeding your baby just before I arrive or right as the session begins is a great way to start. A full belly usually means a sleepy, content baby, which helps everything flow more smoothly. That said, we can absolutely take breaks whenever needed for nursing, bottle feeding, or diaper changes. If you'd like to include feeding or nursing photos as part of your session, just let me know and we can begin there. It’s also helpful if baby has had some awake time before I arrive, ideally around 30 to 60 minutes. A warm bath beforehand is a great way to keep them alert so they’re ready for a good nap once we get started.
Including Pets
I love when family pets join in! If your dog will be part of your session, keep treats nearby…we’ll get a few sweet shots of them with the baby if we can.
Common Questions
What if baby cries? Totally normal. We stop, snuggle, and continue when everyone’s ready. No pressure.
What if my toddler wants nothing to do with the baby? Also normal! I never force. Sometimes we get them in with a fun game, sometimes we wait…and that’s okay.
What if my house isn’t “Instagram perfect”? Truly not a concern. I only need a corner of light and connection, and I promise we’ll make it beautiful.
Do you bring props? I don’t bring props because I like to keep the focus on your baby and the connection between your family. My goal is to capture the natural, simple beauty of this moment in your life. If you have something meaningful you’d like to include, like a special blanket, stuffed animal, or heirloom, I’m more than happy to incorporate it into the session.
Thank You
Thank you so much for trusting me with these special memories. It means the world. Our hope is to give you timeless images that feel real, full of warmth and emotion…a reflection of the love you’re surrounded by in these beautiful, hazy first days.
If you have any questions leading up to your session, just reach out. I’m here to help!