Preparing For Your Lifestyle Newborn Portrait Session

4 Tips On How To Prepare For Your Lifestyle Newborn Portrait Session

First and foremost, there is a difference between newborn portraits and lifestyle newborn portraits. For the most part, I do not take traditional “newborn portraits.” For a lifestyle newborn portrait session, my goal is to get candid moments with the baby and the family. Around 75% or more of the images will be of the baby with the family. I believe that capturing these first precious moments should be captured. Not putting your newborn in crazy poses, outfits, etc. Other people are great at this and it is their “thing” – but I shoot in a completely different style. Now that this is out of the way, lets talk about how to prepare for your session 🙂

Pick One Or Two Locations In Your Home

When it comes to where to take the images for your lifestyle newborn portrait session, there are a few options. One option is to take most of the images on a white backdrop. Most Photographers have these and it is easy to set up. Most living rooms have more than enough space.

The second option is to take the images in a family room or a bedroom. Reading books with the baby in the living room makes for great poses. Taking pictures of the entire family on the bed is also really cute.

Feed The Baby At Least 30 Minutes Before The Photographer Arrives

Babies look the best in newborn portraits when they are sleeping 🙂 Especially if they are just a week or two old. At this age, they cannot really see to far and so they are often cross eyed, or making funny faces if they are awake! Feeding the baby at least 30 minutes before the Photographer arrives will ensure that they are sleeping. When the baby is asleep, it is MUCH EASIER to pose them and get good pictures. During the session, there will be times where you may need to feed them again or change their diaper. Don’t worry, this is why the session is a little longer than your typical session 🙂

Keep The House REALLY-REALLY Warm

If I am not sweating by the time I get everything set up, it probably is not warm enough! I sweat easy, by the way 🙂 But keeping the house warm will ensure that the baby is comfortable. A space heater works really well to accomplish a warm area for the baby.

Babies LOVE White Noise

Last, but not least, babies love the sound of white noise. If you have a surround sound system or even a smart phone, there are all kinds of apps. I think they even make toys with white noise built into them 😉 Having some white noise close by goes a long way in keeping the baby relaxed for the session.

Hopefully these are some really useful tips for your very own session. If you are expecting a baby, I would LOVE to connect with you. I have maternity portrait packages that include lifestyle newborn portraits and would love to capture this special moment for you. The best way to reach me is through the contact form on my website. Thanks!