In-Home Newborn Photographer | 4 Tips for Beautiful In-Home Newborn Images
As an in-home newborn photographer with over 5 years of experience, I’ve learned a lot about what makes beautiful images. One of my favorite parts about being an in-home newborn photographer is how authentically you can capture families in their own space. I also think it’s a wonderful way to document this exciting phase as you welcome a new member to the family! We can utilize whatever areas of your home (indoors or out) that you feel most proud of, or are most comfortable in.
Did you spend hours pouring over every detail of the new baby’s nursery? Wonderful, let’s showcase it all! Do you have a beautiful landscaped lawn or cozy front porch swing? Perfect! Do you feel most comfortable all snuggled up on your bed together? That sounds lovely!
So, that leads me into tip #1…
1. Strategically select & prep a few areas of your home to use for in-home newborn photos (don’t worry, I’ll help!)
I usually end up using 2-4 areas of the home, and the most important part of choosing those spots will be available natural lighting. I always bring flash as a backup in case your favorite room doesn’t have a ton of natural light, but the more light, the BETTER! If your favorite room (let’s say the nursery) has east facing windows, let’s schedule for the morning and take advantage of that beautiful light!
If you can, try to de-clutter any areas that you want to use for photos. I absolutely do not expect your home to be 100% perfect when I arrive because you have a NEWBORN! So, I am more than happy to help move things around but it’s always helpful for you to do ahead of time. Things like clearing off cups/phone chargers/etc. are quick and easy and make a huge difference in photos.
When I arrive, I will usually ask for a tour first, and to get your ideas about which rooms you’d like to utilize. If you have a clear idea of what you’d like, that’s great! If not, I am more than happy to lead the way and make a plan. Feel free to get creative with locations too! Here are two beautiful images whose locations are a bit outside the norm (staircase window seat & kitchen) that I absolutely love.
2. Keep outfits simple for in-home newborn photography
For your family, and for your newborn – there’s no need for anything super fancy here. For moms I usually recommend either a flowy dress or leggings/jeans and a nice top. Pick a central color scheme and work outfits around that. I offer a wonderful styling service for my clients use which can be a huge help here! Also keep in mind your home’s decor; if you decorate with lots of blues and greens then maybe stick with that color scheme for photos. That way, when you print and display the images in your home they will already coordinate! Also, when in doubt, just wear white š
For your baby – I love how a simple white onesie or footless outfit looks in photos. Newborn knotted gowns are also adorable and easy for diaper changes. I would just recommend avoiding any fluffy gowns or dresses, the sweet baby can get lost in too much fabric! I will always be more than happy to also bring along some wraps and swaddles, so often I’ll do some photos in your outfit, and some wrapped/swaddled.
3. Follow your baby’s cues
A good feed is usually recommended right before I am scheduled to arrive, but I always leave plenty of time during our session for diaper changes, feeding breaks, etc. so no need to stress about that. We will also follow your baby’s lead for what type of photos we will take and when. If you baby is super sleepy when I arrive, we may start with photos of them alone, or if they’re more awake we can do the whole family right away. Or if you have other children it’s generally best to get photos with them first. Basically, we don’t have to follow any kind of specific timeline or tight schedule, we just go with the flow and what works best for you!
4. Get ready for snuggles
My absolute favorite newborn images are those where you can tell your baby is so cozy and content, and that often means they’re laying on your chest or cuddled in close. So make sure to pause for moments to sniff that sweet newborn smell, stroke their soft cheeks, and play with their little fingers. Those little rolls will be gone before you know it, but those little details are what I’m here to preserve for you.
Well, that’s pretty much it!
In-home newborn photography with me should be fun, relaxed, and enjoyable! I always tell clients that it’s probably one of the easiest photo sessions you’ll ever do because mostly all you have to do is smile at your baby š
Oh, and one last thing… make sure to hire someone who has lots of experience with newborns (like me)! If you like my style and want to chat about booking with Worth Capturing, please reach out as soon as possible via my contact page.
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