NEWBORN IN-HOME LIFESTYLE SESSION DETAILS

MY APPROACH

My specialty is lifestyle photography. My passion is storytelling.

I shoot from experience, both as a parent and as someone who grew up with only a handful of shots inside the homes I lived in while growing up, and those are some of the most cherished and fascinating images to me. Just looking at a photo that shows the drapery in my 1975-styled nursery is so gratifying and revealing to me about my life before my memories.

I aim to document the authentic beauty in a family’s everyday life with a strong story-telling component and editing aesthetic of a magazine editorial. We’ll get minimally posed shots with everyone and natural solo shots of the little one but the real art comes in capturing you just being yourselves, enjoying the newest member of the family. Newborn sessions are done within the first 2 weeks of your baby’s life, preferably at day 7, 8 or 9. I love the in-home sessions for newborns. It’s comfortable for both you and baby. It also serves to archive the environment of baby’s first days of life.

WHAT TO EXPECT

In this session, I come to the family’s home and artistically document everyone simply being themselves in their own environment — mom and baby nursing, dad changing a diaper, siblings interacting with the baby, etc.

No need to clean the house or do anything special. I use a lens that blurs most everything out in the background and we can move and stage as needed. I do request that all window shades and drapes be opened to maximize the natural light.

We tentatively schedule the session 7 days from your due date with the stipulation that this will be adjusted according to when to baby actually arrives.

Babies have a lot of immediate needs in the early days. They’re oblivious to timetables and are anything but predictable. With the way I like to let my sessions roll, “up to 3 hours” keeps everyone super calm and relaxed which helps me produce the best images. It won’t necessarily take that long, but it can. If we’re finished in 90-minutes, then we’re finished. I won’t overstay my welcome. Though, I believe it will be at least that when all is said and done.

Also, it can sometimes take a family (those with young children, especially) a little while to warm up to having a guest in the house and a camera in their space, to really settle into their natural activity and candid demeanor. And that is the key to success! (I’m a very patient spectator.)

I do the cozy, solo baby shots and tiny body parts, in addition to the family shots, but in a very natural way and without a lot of props or staging. Still, those solo shots can take the longest. We are on the little one’s schedule and they will eat, get snuggled, and clean diapers when needed.

Mom will keep her energy up by taking frequent snack and water breaks. The goal is for everyone to remain as calm and relaxed as possible, so baby stays calm and relaxed. No one is expected to perform or push themselves to the limits.

BOOKING PROCESS

All fees include my time during the session, post-production processing of select images, along with digital delivery of high resolution JPGs via a private, online sharing and viewing gallery.

A completed standard portrait contract is required and there is a 50% nonrefundable deposit due upon booking to secure the event (invoiced via PayPal using any credit or debit card).

The balance is due on the day of the shoot via cash, check, or credit/debit card on site.

With the newborn sessions, I do recommend tentatively scheduling and taking care of the full amount up front so parents are not running around trying to pay an invoice or write a check (one less thing to worry about during that wildly sleepless time).

SCHEDULING

Newborn sessions are done preferably at day 7, 8 or 9 but can be done anytime within the first two weeks.

I simply ask that you (or your partner) get in touch with me immediately following the birth to let me know when you expect to be home from the hospital or if there are any complications that require you to stay in the hospital longer than expected. By day 7 or 8 (typically), you’ve been home for several days and feeding has been, relatively, well established.

Midday is best for light in the home, so I suggest anywhere between 10 am – 3 pm. Think about when your family is at their best. If siblings are involved, we should work around their nap/meal schedule to acheive optimal cooperation.

I say “up to 3 hours” as it CAN actually take that long but it may not. Again, we are on the baby’s schedule.

TURNAROUND

I will cull, edit, and email/text low-res “preview” images within 3 days. Standard turnaround for completed edits for download is 14 days.

If you plan to do a birth announcement and you want an image or two sooner, I can certainlly pull a couple of high res images early to make that happen. Heck, I’ll even design and order the birth announcements for you! (Ask me about adding this on to your package.)

WHAT TO WEAR

First and foremost, dress comfortably. Classic, clean and casual is ideal.

Outfits can be solid colors and/or neutral tones. I’ve found varying shades of soft, light blues, browns, grays and/or greens in relaxed fabrics work nicely for the whole family.

Give careful thought to necklines and consider what is most flattering with the least amount of distraction.

The beauty of an in-home session is that there can be costume changes, if necessary! And it often is. Moms, especially, please have a back up top or two as we may deal with extra newborn “output.”

Tidy hair styling, minimal jewelry and moderate make-up is recommended.

Neutral swaddles, solid onesies, or diaper only work great for baby. Avoid bold or tiny patterns, neon colors, bright reds, overly formal clothes.

Graphics, and identifiable designer names or logos divert the eye so avoid these, as well (NO LOGOS).

Yes, some shades of reds and pinks can be temperamental in post production, so use this color sparingly.

Also consider your home decor and what color palette might work well hanging on your walls for years to come. Dads (and siblings) – don’t get a hair cut the day before a session. Plan for a week before.