I often get asked if I do newborn photography. I think this is because it’s not as easy to find my newborn photos in my portfolio as my style looks different to traditional newborn photos and what we think these photos have to look like. Clients will pencil in a time for their newborn session, I come to your home and we spend an hour together taking photos in a few different spaces, while you have the relaxed freedom to feed, soothe or change baby in the comfort of your own home. There’s no over-packing the baby bag ‘just incase’, no stress rushing out the door to your local photography studio and no time pressure to soothe baby back to sleep so they can then be posed for the photos. If reading this gives you a sigh of relief and takes the dread away from doing a newborn photo shoot, this post is for you.
These photos capture parts of what it feels like to be at home with your newborn. While some areas of your home might feel a little hectic and messy as you do your best to keep up with the washing pile while trying to find a clean outfit to wear, you will be pleasantly surprised by what we can do with just one or two spaces in your own home. Here are some ideas and ways to turn your home into the perfect backdrop!
YOUR LIVING ROOM/LOUNGE IS PERFECT FOR PHOTOS
I’ve done photo sessions where the living room was the only space we could use for photos and it worked out perfectly! Sometimes all we need is one corner or one wall of a room that has minimal clutter and decor and a couch. Some helpful tips:
Clear your coffee table so it is free of things like paper, tv remotes and coffee mugs. I like leaving a couple of items on the coffee table so it still feels like a lived-in space.
I like to use a space where there isn’t a window directly behind the couch. Some spaces allow enough room to move the couch to a different wall.
I try to avoid having the TV in the background of the photos, otherwise, it looks like a black square taking up space.
THE MASTER BEDROOM
Getting some photos all cuddled up on the bed is another suitable area for photos. Helpful tips:
The whole bedroom doesn’t need to be tidy and clear of clutter, just the head of the bed and the spaces on either side of it. You can move additional items to the opposite side of the room where it won’t be too much in the way.
Clear away any extra items from bedside tables like phone or watch chargers, water bottles
NATURAL NEWBORN POSES
During my 1 hour sessions we will do photos of everyone together and baby on their own. For the photos of baby we can keep them in the same outfit or you can swaddle them in a way that they are used to or prefer. You might have a special blanket that has been made for them as a gift that we can use for photos, I’ll lay the blank on the bed (or a soft couch also works) and then we will get baby comfortable. Cribs and bassinets also work well! Photos awake or asleep work perfectly, there is no right or wrong preference as long as they are happy. I love capturing all the little in-between moments too, like a yawn or sometimes a crying shot too is super cute and one for the memories.
