Home (with Henry + co)

In home newborn sessions are some of my absolute favorite.

Okay, baby’s in general are kind of my favorite. Getting these moments of new life on camera (and printed!!) are just so magical. Let me give you the gist of how my process works.

Let’s start with booking.

I highly recommend you bundle your newborn photos with your maternity (and birth/fresh 48). The reason this is the best option is because you get your due date locked in to my calendar with plenty of time, all of your session needs are taken care of, you get a free announcement session, and it gives us a chance to get to know each other. Seriously. If you’re planning on doing both maternity and newborn photos, book a bundle. You save money AND i do flexible payment plans. Booking a bundle also offers opportunities for us to be together and for natural conversation regarding your photos to take place, vs. conversing via text or email.

If you are just in need of newborn photos, the optimal time to book is no later than 20 weeks pregnant. When you book, I put your due date on my calendar. You let me know once baby is here, and we start talking scheduling then. I send out a newborn questionnaire at the same time I send your contract, that helps me get to know you and your wants for the session. (ex: your babies name, your partner’s name, do you want breastfeeding photos? do you want to do them in home or in studio? etc). And the more thorough you are, the better prepared I am.

Now let’s get into time frame and preparation:

The optimal time frame for newborn sessions is technically 5-10 days postpartum. The reason for this being, the baby is still in a very sleepy stage and makes it easier on everyone to get the sweet, sleepy posed photos. By the time baby is about 2 weeks old they hit a growth spurt. This usually results in cluster feeding and often times they don’t like being put down. Usually, I have moms try to feed baby right before we start the session. Whether its before I get to your house, right when I get there, or as soon as you get to the studio. These sessions aren’t time stamped, so taking time to feed as needed is no issue, but starting with a calm baby is typically helpful.

As much as I love the sleepy time period, I also have been the stressed out mom trying to think about having life together enough for newborn photos in what is such a whirlwind of EVERYTHING. If we miss that window, so be it. Baby can be awake, baby can be held, and mom and baby can both be happy and have beautiful photos. There is more than one way to do things, my friends. Once you tell me baby is here (and I especially love when I get photos if I’m not photographing it myself), I keep in touch. You can let me know when you are home from the hospital (or if you had them at home, once you feel up for it), how everyone is feeling, and we can assess a time for photos.

Choosing outfits doesn’t have to be super stressful either. I have a few dress options for mom if she wants them. If not, put everyone in something neutral. Creams, blacks, tans. Jeans and a white tank with a sweater. Seriously, less is more for these. I also have had moms literally not want to think about being a photo, they just want a few details with their hands etc., and they plan another family session when baby is older and they (the mom) are feeling more like themselves. I’m telling you, there’s no right or wrong way to get in the frame. Just keep it neutral.

If you have sentimental items or a specific outfit for baby you want to include, bring it on. IF not, I have ALL the goodies you can choose from. Baby sweaters, onesies, jumpers, swaddles and wraps of all colors and textures, accessories. I’ve got you.

For this family, I was fortunate enough to document their entire pregnancy/birth/and postpartum journey.

Their newborn photos were done when baby was past the 5-1o day pp window and I love them. We were in communication regularly after he was born, and made it work once life felt more manageable.

Session Flow:

If you are doing these photos in your home, usually we pick one or two rooms. A lot of times it looks like the nursery and possibly like the main living area. You do not have to clean up. I move stuff around. Also there’s nothing wrong with picking one room, cleaning it up, and letting the rest of your house look like a jungle. It might be less stressful that way, and we can still get plenty of variety in one space.

If you are doing them in studio, I customize and prep the studio for your session to ensure it will coordinate with outfits and give you variety.

I like to start with individual photos of the baby assuming they are calm and mellow. However, if you have toddlers and want sibling photos, I usually start there so the toddler is fresh and I can get them done and they can play the rest of the time. Once baby and toddlers are done, I get individuals with mom, dad, and mom + dad together. From there it’s all dependent on how baby is feeling and how everyone else is doing. If mom wants breastfeeding photos I usually do them once the rest are done (typically baby is up and hungry by then and it works out well).

We shoot and hang and chat all things birth and baby, and I typically send your gallery within a week or two.

And there ya have it!

I know, mom. Pregnancy is overwhelming. Birthing a human is wild. And there are SOOO many things you are thinking about. We will get you your frame-worthy photos of your sweet tiny being. If you have questions or would like to chat more, I’m all ears. Click here and send me a message! Enjoy the tiny squares of tiny henry and his sweet, amazing family.