Client Prep Guide
In-Home Newborn Session
Congratulations on the newest member of your family!
I’m truly honored to capture this precious new chapter in your life. My approach is documentary and lifestyle-based—centered on connection, storytelling, and capturing the quiet, beautiful moments. My goal is to create an experience that feels relaxed, heartfelt, and beautifully reflects your growing family.
You just focus on being present with your little one, and I’ll take care of the rest.
What to Expect
Sessions are scheduled for about 2 hours, giving us plenty of time for feeding, changing, and snuggles. I follow a gentle, baby-led flow—whether your baby is awake or asleep, held in your arms or cozy in their bassinet, I’ll work around their needs. My style is relaxed and connection-focused. Expect a calm session filled with love, quiet moments, and lots of cuddles.
Let’s talk prep —
Preparing Your Home
You do not need a perfectly tidy home—please don’t stress about that! I simply ask that you pick out 2-3 areas where you’d love to take photos. These often include:
Your primary bedroom (plain bedding photographs beautifully)
Baby’s nursery
Any room with beautiful natural light
When I arrive, I’ll walk through your space to find the best lighting and help create cozy corners if needed. Sometimes that means pulling in a blanket or moving a chair—I’ve got you!
2. What to Wear
Choose clothing that feels good and photographs beautifully:
Stick to neutral or earthy tones (not just white—think soft taupe, beige, brown, rust, olive, etc.)
Avoid loud patterns or logos always!
Think elevated casual: a flowy dress, soft co-ord set, knit sweater + pull-on pants, cardigans
Nursing-friendly outfits are ideal if you're breastfeeding
Comfort is key—wear something that feels like you
For baby:
Dress them in a snug, plain onesie or co-ord set
Have a few cozy swaddles, soft blankets, diaper covers and a headband (if you like) nearby
To keep baby calm, we avoid outfit changes, but can switch up accessories and textures as needed
Tip: Create depth in your photos by incorporating textures like wool and linen through accessories like headbands, wraps, blankets, swaddle
Here’s a quick visual mood board to get you started. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration—I recommend searching for terms like “lifestyle,” “in-home,” and “family/newborn photos.” As always, feel free to share your outfit options with me ahead of time if you’d like any input! You can also find my basic style guide with styling dos and don’ts linked below.
3. Lighting & Timing
I use natural light only, so the time of day matters. I will reach out prior to confirm what time of day your home has the best light—typically mid-morning around 11 AM or late afternoon around 4 PM work well. We’ll schedule your session accordingly to make the most of the natural light in your space.
What if it rains? No worries—we don’t need to reschedule! In those cases, we’ll typically stick to the 11 AM time slot, when the sun is highest and light is generally the brightest. I also bring a reflector and an overhead flash to bounce ambient light and ensure we still get soft, natural-looking images, even on gloomier days.
4. Baby-Led Posing
My approach is entirely baby-led, centered around your baby’s comfort and your connection with them. I will not handle or elaborately pose your baby. Instead, I’ll gently guide you and capture natural interactions—your baby in your arms, nestled on the bed, or simply resting in their bassinet. I’ll also document the beautiful little details around them: their tiny features, their space, and the love that fills your home.
I bring along a simple knit blanket and a neutral basket for detail shots if desired, but I don’t use props or costumes. I will not create elaborate setups, as my focus is on authenticity, comfort, and storytelling through a lifestyle lens. I am happy to incorporate nursery details, blankets, or any keep-sake you would like photographed.
