How to prepare for your Lifestyle Newborn Photoshoot

Let’s face it, the idea of having a professional photo shoot in your own home within a few weeks of giving birth is so appealing and yet very daunting all at the same time. You don’t know if you will feel up to it yet, you are flustered over the worry that your mini bundle of joy won’t play ball for the photographer and then on top of that you have to worry about cleaning? What the what? This is all just too much and you end up bailing on the idea altogether. Well let me stop you right there and give you the low down on how to prepare for your in home Lifestyle Newborn photo shoot.

I’m going to tackle this with good old fashioned bullet points and don’t panic there are only 5. After going through these you will feel totally excited and pumped for your session rather than filled with dread and stress.
So here we go…

1. LET GO OF THE STRESS
You can relax, take a breath and let go of any anxiety. If you have taken the time to find a baby photographer that you love then you have already done the hard part. It is now in the hands of that said photographer. They are a professional so they know what they are doing. Remember that they do this as their day job. They hold, photograph and interact with newborns multiple times a month. We as newborn photographers are not scared of poop, crying, breastfeeding or the toddler tantrums so don’t even sweat worrying about them. Trust that you have hired a professional whose work you adore and put it in their hands knowing that they WILL be able to bring out the very best for you.

2. PUT TOGETHER YOUR LOVED ITEMS

I always ask my families to do this prior to my arrival, in fact it’s never too early to be thinking around this one. Look through all the baby gifts your’ve received and pull out a few items that you just adore. Maybe it’s some neutral muslins, or a handmade blanket from Grandma. You can keep your eye’s open around your home for other pieces you wouldn’t normally think to include too. For example an old rocking chair thats been passed through the generations or a master piece of artwork created by a friend or family member. There is nothing that cannot be incorporated into your family photos during these Lifestyle Newborn sessions and that’s one of the beautiful things about them.

Make it yours in as many ways as possible. This will create so much more meaning and story within each photograph. The storytelling will be more genuine and personal and who doesn’t want that?

3. DO I HAVE TO CLEAN MY HOUSE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM (Heart sigh)

Okay so this is a 2 part answer. Initially my response is no, you do not need to do a complete spring clean of your home in order to host your lifestyle newborn shoot there, however, the very nature of this approach to documenting your family is that it is in your own home, in your environment, with your loved possessions. So with that said I would suggest that in order to achieve the most eye attracting and stunning imagery you need yourselves to be the focus of the shot. Unfortunately a lot of clutter in the backgrounds on coffee tables, bedside cabinets, kitchen counters and so on pulls the eye in and away from whats important which is you and your new baby.

So don’t spend hours cleaning but try to clear clutter as best as you can, hide it in the cupboard, in a spare bedroom or under the bed just for those couple of hours.

4. CRANK THE HEAT

Although you may be quite content in your gorgeous specially brought light blouse or floaty dress it is important to crank the heat in your home just a tad. Doing this helps to keep baby comfy during those solo portrait shots as well as on the sleepy side. Don’t go crazy and make it feel like we are on holiday in Spain, just crank it up a couple of degrees from normal should do the trick. The babies love it I promise.

5. DO NOTHING ELSE

Yup that’s right, my final step is to do nothing. You have your outfits and special items all ready, your home is prepped to be clutter free now do nothing. Just trust in the fact that you absolutely adored your photographers portfolio and are super excited for them to come and spend time capturing your new and growing family. You are investing in their talent for a reason so pass over the reigns and just enjoy the experience. Know that they know what they are doing and are used to every situation babies can throw at them, patience is for sure the key to newborn photo shoots.