Tips to Prepare for Your Philadelphia In-Home Newborn Photography Session
Are you considering an in-home newborn session? I have gathered up my best tips to prepare for your Philadelphia in-home newborn photography session! With these little bits and pieces of tips and tricks that I’ve collected over the last 14 years as a professional photographer, it is a guarantee to make your newborn session flow smoothly, even with the unpredictability of babies! My primary modo operandi during in-home newborn sessions is to go with the flow, because every baby is different, but there are some simple ways you can prepare to have the smoothest session possible.
How to Prepare Your Home for Your Newborn Session
Please do not stress at all about making your home magazine-perfect! You just had a newborn baby and a lived in home is part of your family’s story. However, to help keep your portraits focused on your newest addition, I do suggest having any every-day clutter cleared in the areas we will be photographing. This is just a simple tidy of your nightstands, coffee tables and counters! Any magazines, papers, remotes, toys and such can create distracting elements in your images. Don’t worry about deep-cleaning or anything else.
How to Decide What Rooms To Photograph In During Your In-Home Newborn Session
Think about the rooms in your home that provide the most natural light! Any particular rooms get beautiful morning light shining through the windows? Decide what rooms you would like to feature in your session! Typically, I tend to photograph most lifestyle newborn sessions in the nursery, master bedroom and living room, but we will choose any space in your homes that gives us the best natural light.
How to Prepare For Baby’s Feeding Schedule During Your Philadelphia In-Home Newborn Photography Session
In order to have a smooth flow to your session, plan on feeding & changing your baby just before I am scheduled to arrive, even if they don’t seem hungry. Feeding newborns usually helps baby fall right asleep prior to the start of our session! And no worries if your babe needs to be nursed or bottle fed again during our time together! It is completely normal and totally expected! We will follow baby’s lead during this lifestyle session as baby’s needs ALWAYS comes first!
How to Prepare Your Outfits for Your Philadelphia In-Home Newborn Photography Session
What To Wear For Baby & Family During Your Newborn Session
Choosing the perfect wardrobe for their upcoming newborn session shouldn’t be stressful on a new mother. I like to keep my images fairly neutral, light and airy so the images are timeless and the focus is on your family. Wearing something comfortable (especially since you just gave birth!) and neutral will always photograph best. Be sure to check out one of my favorite online shops, Baltic Born, for the best dress recommendations for post-partum mothers.
I always suggest moms picking out their outfits first and then basing the rest of the family around you. Choose something that makes you feel beautiful, and I suggest selecting earthy, neutral tones to help create calm, family-focused photos. Remember, I do offer access to my clothing styling service for all of my clients. It can be so helpful to visualize outfit possibilities and easily order your wardrobe online for the entire family through the service I include in my booking emails.
Babies should be dressed how you would like them to be dressed in the pictures! Wearing a cute cozy knit outfit or just a neutral swaddle- whatever you like! Just be sure the clothes aren’t too big for baby. (I also bring neutral swaddles and blankets with me!)
How to Prepare Big Siblings for your Philadelphia In-Home Newborn Session
If you have older siblings that will be involved in your newborn session, plan to have non-messy snacks on hand as the session can last up to 2 to 3 hours. However, they won’t be needed during the entire session. I always suggest having a grandparent around or your significant other planning to spend some one on one time with the older siblings while I am focused on working with just the baby.
Including Grandparents in your In-Home Newborn Session
Will your parents or in-laws be in town to help you with your new baby? I love to include grandparents in my newborn sessions to remember this special bond, and all the love they have for their new grandchildren. Grandparents are also a huge help in caring for any older siblings!
How to Incorporate Special Items & Moments at Your Newborn Photography Session
My last and final tip is thinking ahead if there are any special heirloom items that you would like have incorporated into your newborn session? For instance, a handmade quilt, vintage baby blanket, etc! Or if you are nursing, would you like breastfeeding portraiture included in your session? I love when clients choose something unique or special to them during their newborn session as it makes it their images even more treasured!
AnneMarie Hamant is a lifestyle newborn and family photographer based outside of Philadelphia, PA, and serves the surrounding areas including Kennett Square, West Chester, Glen Mills, Malvern, Media, King of Prussia, Conshohocken, Wayne, Haverford, Villanova, Devon, Berwyn, Ardmore as well as the Wilmington, Delaware suburbs. AnneMarie is an award-winning photographer with over 14 years experience. Her passion is creating playful and relaxed lifestyle family photography both in-home and on location for her clients.
Want to see some of my favorite newborn portraits? Click here to see my newborn portfolio! Then contact me here for more information about booking your newborn session!
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