In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Photography

by Five Pence photography

My approach to Newborn Photography is a heartfelt one.  With all my heart I wish I had these done for my family as we brought each baby home.  But I didn’t, so I take my regret and turn it into emotional storytelling for you to remember these sweet days.  

I know what there is to miss about having small babies and children.  I know how terribly fast the newborn days go by!  I know you want to remember how they feel on your chest, how little their feet are, how wonderful it is to watch your spouse become a parent.  And if you’re like me, you have pets, maybe even too many, and your heart swells watching them become “siblings”. What about the cute little humans you may already have - you want all this sweetness and goodness to be remembered forever, too.

But, how do I get all of that? 

A typical in-home newborn session takes about an hour, but we should plan on two. Sometimes, it takes a little time to warm up, or we might need some extra time in the end. Allowing for this just takes the stress out of the session.

There are 2 dominating factors in your session with me.

1) My newborn sessions are baby-led. Since, I don’t do heavy poses and prefer to keep things natural and loose, the baby is in charge. 2) We will follow the light available in the house. I am a natural light photographer and tend to shoot where the light is best in the house.

Usually, all the action happens in the baby’s room and master bedroom and living room. So those rooms will need a quick tidy before the session.  Make your bed, and remove all the bits from the nightstands that you don’t want in the pictures, really, the same thing for the nursery.  Anywhere in the house you think you are likely to be for your session, just give it a pick-up.  Honest, a deep clean isn’t necessary. 

In my lifestyle sessions, I do make portraits of just baby and use simple backgrounds like beds, rugs, or crib. I keep the poses and wrapping simple because I prefer to still be able to see the baby.  Baby should wear really simple clothing, a onesie or simple sleeper is perfect and.

All family members should wear clothes that are comfortable and avoid everyone in different strong patterns.  I do say to avoid strong reds, and neon colors as they cast a glow on the face.  Also avoid clothes with words and logos. The reason here is to create a more timeless portrait, and to not have the clothes be a distraction.

And really, barefoot is best!

Usually, a newborn session is scheduled between the hours of 10am-2pm. Those hours of the day usually provide the best light and tend to work well with newborn sleep schedules. If you have toddlers, keep “clean” snacks available throughout your session. We don’t want to bribe a toddler to behave a whole hour or two for ice-cream at the end of the session, that can be so hard for them, so we can continue to play and appease him or her by offering snacks as needed.

I also recommend keeping your newborn fed and content as possible for your session, too. Of course, I am happy to photograph feeding the baby (bottle or breast) if it is necessary for baby at the time and something you want documented. If you are breastfeeding, I lovingly urge you to have breastfeeding photos done. May you be so lucky your breastfeeding journey continues until baby is ready to wean, but you never know when it might end abruptly due to medical reasons and you will be glad you have some.

“Children will not remember you for the material things you provide, but for the feeling that you cherished them.”  - Richard L. Evans

To book your next session with Five Pence Photography or to talk more about my newborn sessions, just fill out the form.