How to Prepare for Your In-Home Newborn Photography Session
Having your newborn session in your home can relieve some of the stress of driving with your newborn. Your home is your (and your baby’s) comfort zone, you don’t have to pack up a diaper bag, or put your baby in it’s car seat (which they hate!). Even though staying in your home for a photo session comes with many positives, you may still have worries about how to prepare. Here, I share my top 5 tips to ease your mind and ensure that your session goes smoothly.
1. DO A QUICK DECLUTTERING OF KEY AREAS IN YOUR HOME
You don’t have to have a clean house for your newborn photography session, and you will not get an ounce of judgment from me if your house is messy! I know right after I had both my kids, I was focused on bonding, healing and enjoying our new baby. I wasn’t focused on cleaning or tidying up and didn’t have the energy to either. So, all I suggest is to quickly remove clutter from key areas of the house where lifestyle photos may take place. The nursery, your bedroom and any areas where there is a big window will be ideal photography sites. You don’t even have to actually put away the clutter. Just remove it from the scene. It can get shoved into a closet, drawer, hamper or even a corner you think we won’t use.
2. MAKE SURE YOUR BABY’S TUMMY IS FULL
Having a full tummy will help your baby feel relaxed and fall asleep. Once they’re asleep, they’re easier to wrap and get those cute poses. So right before your session or even as soon as I arrive at your house, let your baby eat as much as they will. Once they are full, I will rock them to sleep (if they are not already) and begin the session.
3. TIME YOUR BABY’S NAP WITH IT’S SESSION
Again, we want your baby to sleep as long and soundly as possible through their session. Some babies don’t sleep at the same time every day so you might not have any idea when the best time of day will be. But if your baby’s sleep pattern is predictable, aim their session to line up with one of their naps. If you can’t predict their naptime, try to avoid any long stretches of sleep before their session. Key word here is try. Please don’t drive yourself crazy trying to deprive your baby of something they need. Their health and safety are the most important things. If they sleep before their session, it’s okay!
4. KEEP YOUR HOME ON THE WARMER SIDE
For some poses your baby will be in just their diaper. Even as adults, we get cold with no clothes on, but newborns can’t regulate their body temperature and need our help. Having your thermostat bumped up a few degrees warmer than normal will help them stay comfortable and asleep through their session. I bring a small space heater with me to help as well.
5. HAVE A SPARE BOTTLE AND PACIFIER FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Sometimes babies will wake up and fuss in the middle of their session. My first line of action is to try and get them to fall back asleep without having to hand them back over to you, the parents. I will try rocking them back to sleep but if they aren’t settling, a pacifier or bottle will usually do the trick. If they still won’t settle, I will hand them back over to you, and take them back when they are settled again.
