Your top newborn photo session questions, answered!
1. I don’t understand all of of the different types of newborn photographers out there!
Understanding lifestyle newborn photography; A clear understanding of lifestyle newborn photography is the number one text to having a stress free session. Knowing exactly what to expect will help you to feel completely comfortable that your photographer knows how to capture the essence of your family, in the most beautiful life! Newborn photographers range from posed studio photographers to in-home lifestyle newborn photographers. I am a lifestyle photographer, which means although I do pose a bit, but I want everything to be very natural and not overly posed. No babies in flower pots with backdrops and studio lighting. Not that that is not beautiful sometimes, it’s just not what you will expect from our session together. A photographer that does Perfection posing is more a studio style, think Anne Geddes. That work is absolutely gorgeous but quite different than what you are going to get from a home session. Take a look at this session for an example, and another beautiful example here!
2. I really don’t want to have to leave my house right after having a baby. Will I have to travel to a studio right after having baby?
A custom lifestyle and newborn session will be done in the comfort of your home. This means that your photographer will come to your home and beautifully capture this fleeting time in your life. No need to pack up everything to go spend an indefinite amount of time in an uncomfortable studio. This is one of the biggest benefits of a lifestyle session, besides the organic and natural quality of images of course!
3. What is my house is messy or the photographer can’t find a good place for photos?
When your photographer arrives on the day of the session, you can expect that they will walk around your home to scout out the best lit areas for the newborn, family, and sibling photos if you have other children. Photographers are very used to being in family homes after baby comes home, so no need to feel like you have to clean house before they arrive! The photographer can easily pick up and make space in an area that they want to use for the photos. An experienced and talented photographer should really only need one good window to be able to create beautiful photos in your home.
4. What if my baby won’t sleep for the session?
Your newborn baby is perfect just the way they are. The beauty of the lifestyle session is that it’s not dependent on a deeply sleeping baby. The photos taken while your newborn is awake and interacting with you, are just as beautiful, if not more so, then the photos when they are completely asleep. A lifestyle photographer won’t try to make the baby sleep for place them in unnatural poses that could be unsafe. You also don’t have to worry about overfeeding your baby into sleep. This is because safety of your baby should be first and foremost, and photographing them as they truly are will make your memories come alive for years to come.
5. I have other children, and I am worried they won’t cooperate for the photo!
Having a new baby in the house is a big change for the siblings who already live there. Understanding ages and stages of kids it Is a lifestyle photographer’s job! So not to worry, a good photographer will typically get the sibling and family photos done right at the beginning, before your other children lose interest! It’s also so important to have no major expectations for your other children and not force them into doing something they aren’t comfortable with. As long as you prepare your other kiddos for the session by telling them that a friend is coming to visit and take some photos of your family, they will often feel comfortable enough to breeze in and out of the photos as they please and you will get very natural and sweet results.
6. I am worried about being in the photos!
This is such an amazing time of life. You’re going to be thrilled and exhausted. You will likely be experiencing the highest highs and perhaps some of the lowest lows. Having a new baby is hard and wonderful all of the same time photography and your photographer really will understand exactly what you are going through. A good newborn photographer’s job is not to make this time in your life look perfect, their job is to show you just how beautiful it is. My biggest tip for not worrying about being in the photos, is just to be relaxed and at ease while you are with your family. You don’t need to be anything but yourself.
7. I don’t have anything to wear in the photos!
First and foremost, you want to be comfortable. This will shine through in your photos. Just keep it simple. I personally always recommend neutral colors (so they don’t reflect on the baby’s delicate skin) and comfort! Your photographer will give you lots of suggestions and I personally would be happy to direct you to my Pinterest board for some ideas on what to wear. You’ll find it’s not so hard as it might seem. Just wear what is the most comfortable to you, and that will reflect in your beautiful photos. Layers, textures, and your cuddly newborn baby, that’s all you need.
Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have, I love working with new moms if you think a newborn session with me might be right for you, then I would love to hear from you! Congratulations again!
Planning your own photos? Lets chat!
