Ok, so you’re expecting a baby and you know you want to get newborn photos done but where should you do them? Would you like images taken in a photographer’s studio or do you prefer to open your home and have a photographer come to you? Since I offer both studio and lifestyle sessions, I often get families asking for my advice to guide them into the right location for their family. I created this post so that I can offer families a much more detailed explanation on my thoughts with imagery more so than I can through an email response.
In-Home Lifestyle vs In-Studio Newborn Sessions
There are benefits to both sessions and I really don’t have a favourite or one I always recommend. Please read through my thoughts below to help you decide. That being said, for those families who are really on the fence after reading this, I typically recommend a studio session and here’s why: studio newborn sessions are best done in the first two weeks of baby’s life when they are super sleepy and squishy. It’s generally the only time I’m able to capture those womb like natural poses when baby is small and fresh looking. On the other hand, a lifestyle session can be done when baby is a little bit older. So, you could book the studio newborn session for when baby is born and schedule an in-home milestone session for when baby is around 3 months, 6 months or even wait until their first birthday to capture lovely, casual photos of your family interacting at home.
In-Studio Newborn Photos
I enjoy photographing newborns in my home studio. It is a warm, quiet and cozy space where I can control the environment entirely for consistent, high quality, stunning images of your new baby. I have lots of neutral fabrics, props and headbands we can use for your session. My studio provides a beautiful backdrop for families who don’t want to worry about having their home “photo ready” or for those looking for naturally posed imagery of their new baby on a simple background. I provide all the necessary wraps and outfits for baby and I even have a studio wardrobe for new moms!
In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Photos
Your home is where you spend the most time. It’s a comfortable and familiar environment for you and your baby. It’s also a very special place – it’s baby’s first home and whether you spend their entire childhood living there or if you move in a few short years. I believe your home is an important part of baby’s story and one that deserves to be documented. During in-home sessions, I typically will use the master bedroom, nursery and sometimes the living room to photograph your family together. I use all natural (window) light for these images and I am guided by the available light entering your home as well as your unique decor. For most of the session, your baby will remain in your arms but I will capture lots of images of baby alone such as lying on your master bed or in their crib.
I always bring with me a few neutral swaddle blankets, outfits for baby and a solid white comforter just in case we need to simplify the fabrics so that your images reflect the pure and simple style you love in my portfolio images. I do need at least one room in your home with a big window and neutral wall colour so that you are well lit and your finished gallery has bright, airy images.
Moms are welcome to borrrow dresses and wardrobe pieces from my client closet. All of these carefully curated items photograph beautifully, are loose fitting for post-partum and elevate the look of your images.
Siblings
I adore capturing big siblings with their new little brother or sister. I never know how an older sibling is going to react to a new baby entering the family so it’s important to have many different ways to capture siblings together. Ultimately, you know your child best. If he or she is really shy and/or determined, doing the photos in your own home where they feel most comfortable and familiar with their environment is generally easier. During an in-home session, your older child can come and go during entire time I’m there. Even the most shy kiddos usually warm up to me and the idea of being close to their baby by the end.
A studio session, is a bit different… I aim to do the parent and sibling photos at the beginning of a session in my studio. After that, your older child is encouraged to go home, to school or care, or even go on a special errand with Dad or a grandparent while we finish up with the images of baby alone, which can take a few hours. I’m happy to chat on the phone and guide you through making the decision on what location is best for your older child.
Pets
If you have a pet you’d like to include in your photos, an in-home session is a must. I don’t allow pets in the studio for cleanliness and allergy reasons, but I’m very happy to include them during my visit to your home. Newborn safety is my top priority so if your pet is not acting calmly or safely around your precious new baby, I will not photograph them together. But most times, pets are perfectly fine to include, whether they are being held by you, sitting down by your feet or even peeking into the crib.
Your Newborn Portraits
In both studio and lifestyle styles you will be present and close to your baby for the entire session. I will direct you to snuggle and hold your newborn for natural looking poses of you together. It’s all about capturing memories during the short time when your baby is fresh, little and new. I always aim to photograph baby’s tiny details and their emerging personality as well as your bond with them.
I have lots more information and examples on both my studio newborn sessions and my in-home lifestyle sessions. Click through the links to see!
For a more in-depth post on the benefits of in-home sessions CLICK HERE.
For a more in-depth post on the benefits of an in-studio session CLICK HERE.
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