Preparing for your Newborn Session
The "Stress-Free" Guide: Preparing Your Home for a Newborn Session
The first few weeks with a newborn are a beautiful, sleep-deprived whirlwind. I know the last thing you want to worry about is deep-cleaning your house or staging your living room for a photoshoot.
The beauty of an in-home session is that it captures your real life, right where it’s happening. You don't need a "perfect" house to get perfect photos. Here are a few simple ways to prep your space so we can focus on what matters: you and your new addition.
1. It’s All About the Light
When I arrive, the first thing I’ll do is "chase the light." I usually look for the rooms with the biggest windows and the most natural sunlight. This is often the master bedroom, the nursery, or even a bright corner of the living room.
The Prep: Open up the blinds and curtains in those main areas before I arrive. We want as much soft, natural light as possible!
2. Focus on "Micro-Clutter"
Please hear me: You do not need to scrub your baseboards. I am only photographing small "pockets" of your home.
The Prep: Take a quick sweep of the areas we’ll likely use (usually the bed, the couch, or the nursery chair). Clear off the nightstands of things like water bottles, phone chargers, or tissue boxes. Pushing a few things into a closet or another room is perfectly fine—I promise I won't look in there!
3. Crank the Heat
Newborns are much happier (and sleepier) when they are warm. Since we’ll likely be moving them between wraps or outfits, they can get chilly easily.
The Prep: About 30 minutes before I arrive, try to bump the thermostat up a few degrees. A warm baby is a calm baby, which makes for a much smoother session.
4. Neutral Bedding is Best
The master bed is one of the best places for family snuggles and "lifestyle" shots of the baby.
The Prep: If you have a neutral-colored duvet or quilt (whites, creams, or light greys), that usually works best as a backdrop. It keeps the focus on your faces rather than a busy pattern. If your favorite comforter is a bright color, don't worry—a simple white flat sheet pulled over the top works like magic.
5. Relax and Let Go
This is the most important tip. If the baby cries, if the toddler isn't cooperating, or if you realize there’s a pile of laundry in the corner—it’s okay. I’ve seen it all, and I’m there to help, not to judge.
The Prep: Take a deep breath. My job is to find the beauty in the chaos. Some of the most meaningful images come from those unscripted, "imperfect" moments of you simply being a parent.
