How to prepare for newborn photo shoot at home
There are so many advantages for having your newborn or young baby shoot at home - you do not need to pack everything you might need and more just in case, you and the baby are in the familiar atmosphere, no need to worry about getting older siblings ready and thinking of how to entertain them during the shoot. Having photo session at home is also a deeper insight into your family and your life.
So dear new moms, below you'll find some practical tips and suggestions on how to pick outfits, prepare yourself, your baby and your home for the shoot. Dads can read it too :-).
1. Preparing your home
We need good light for the shoot - the rooms with big windows would work best. Usually master bedroom and family room are the main locations. To prepare your home for the shoot - some basic cleaning is needed, like made beds, a little tidying and organising (like hiding a laundry pile in a closet). Don't worry if you don't have time to clean everything - life with a newborn is full of chaos, and kids take out their toys much faster than you can manage to put them away (mom of 3 here :-)! A little organized chaos is ok and can add interesting personal touches to photographs. Before we start, we'll check best spots in your home together, and small things can be moved if needed.
Your bedroom will be used for some family and baby photos - so bedlinen matters. Plain white or small patterns in pastels and neutral colours work best. Throw blanket or decorative pillows add nice depth and details.
Side note - if you are a major colour lover and your home is full of bright bold hues - let's go bold all the way and show it off! It applies also for your and baby's outfits :-)
Crank up the heating shortly before the shoot starts - your baby will be more comfortable in a warm room, especially if you'd like to have some nude or half-nude photos. For photographing your baby while he or she sleeps, it's best to use some white noise app or white noise/natural sound videos on youtube.
2. Feeding and breaks
We'll have them as often as your baby will need it. Often these moments of comforting and cuddling to help settle the baby are just perfect as they are, and we'll document it. If the baby is too fussy and you both need a break and a quiet moment - we can use this time to take some pictures of older siblings. Be vocal about needing a break, being uncomfortable or in pain, especially if the shoot is just few days after birth and your body still needs time to heal.
3. Family, pets and session flow.
It's a newborn shoot, but it's also photos of your family. So everyone is involved, and your pet can join too!
In general, during a newborn shoot I try to do a variety of baby's portraits and details (yawns or sleepy stretches, first smile if we're lucky), photographs of mom and dad individually and together with the baby, moments of interaction between you. We'll focus on here and now, moments of real life like you rocking your baby to sleep, your partner walking around the living room with the baby after nursing. There is no fixed schedule and plan, we just go with the flow and moods of the littlest family member. We'll also move around the house for a change of background and activities.
If there is/are older sibling(s), we will do photos of children together, and older kids on their own doing their things - reading or colouring, playing or making cookies, or anything else they feel like doing. Nobody will be asked to pose and stay still, smile and look at the camera. I will give gentle direction if and when needed so that the session unfolds naturally, kids have fun and your partner does not feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. And your photos will be magical - they will show you, and not some staged moments and fake smiles.
If you have some specific photo in mind - please let me know so that we don't forget.
"What if the baby sleeps all the time? Or, I'd like some sleeping pictures but what if the baby does not sleep? What if the baby is fussy?" So many questions - and you're just getting to know your baby who has no fixed schedule yet. None of this is a problem - we can start with sleeping or awake baby, and the session will be made around the mood of your little one.
If your baby is sleeping at the start of the session, we'll begin with these sleeping photos and close-ups of baby feet and hands. If awake and in a good mood, we start with baby cuddles and family photos and go from there. Usually, newborn shoot lasts between 3-4 hours and it should be stress-free, so we'll have as many breaks as you need. While I do have a plan, it's a very flexible one because my aim is to make it a relaxed and enjoyable experience for all of you.
4. Baby's wardrobe and accessories
The main rule here is - simple is the best. White or simple pattern onesie is perfect for the start, and we can have an outfit change later (for diversity, or it might be actually needed, accidents do happen :-).
Knitted blankets and bonnets, things that have sentimental value for you (can be family jewelry, a book or a toy that's been passed through some generations, or blanket you had when you were little) are all great options for accessories and props. Also any special baby gifts from family, like bonnet or blanket made by grandma and toy carefully picked by an older sibling. Have them ready before we start the shoot, especially if there are several things - so that we do not forget anything.
At the same time, don't worry if you do not have any special props.
5. What to wear
Don't worry, I have you covered!
Few words about outfits for mom. So many changes are happening to your body post-partum, your favourite pieces might not fit or look not as good as earlier. So what will look good on camera?
Stick with cream or neutrals for top - you'll be holding your baby a lot, and these light colours will look beautiful next to your baby's skin.
Lace is gorgeous with its texture. Lightweight kimono or waterfall style cardigans look good, help hide some extra curves if you need it, and are comfy and easy to move in. Loose-fitting shirts, tunics and dresses are flattering on new moms.
For dad - shirt with rolled up sleeves is the easiest choice - smart and casual at the same time.
You can find more detailed info and examples for your whole family here, and I'm glad to help if you are not sure how to dress your family.
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Like what I do? Get in touch, let's chat about photos of your family!
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