Lifestyle Newborn Prep Guide

GETTING READY FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE NEWBORN SESSION

Congratulations on your new arrival! If you’re reading this, it likely means your little one is almost here or has just joined your family. What a thrilling time! If you’ve scheduled an in-home newborn session with me, here’s a guide to help you prepare for a beautiful lifestyle shoot.

Before Your Newborn Session

1. Choose Your Locations

Let’s clear up a common misconception: an in-home session isn’t limited to just the nursery! For a varied gallery, consider using spaces like your master bedroom, kitchen, or living room.

2. Select Your Outfits

You might wonder why wardrobe selection comes after choosing your spaces. The colors in your home will influence what you wear. I lean toward a light, airy palette—think whites, pastels warm neutrals, which I love to see in photos. Florals can also add a nice touch and tie everything together.

Here’s my top wardrobe tip: start with Mom’s dress! Avoid jeans if possible, busy patterns, and tight clothing. Dresses add movement and elegance to photos, and they’re perfect for that postpartum stage.

I’m here to help you create a cohesive and classic look for your session.

3. Declutter Your Space

Don’t overlook this important step! Before your session (ideally the day before or the morning of), take a moment to tidy up the areas we’ll be shooting in. Remove items you don’t want to appear in your images. While it’s tempting to think “that can be edited out,” it can be time-consuming and costly.

Areas to declutter include:

• Nightstands

• Cords

• Dressers

• Countertops

• End tables

• Under the bed

4. Freshen Up Those Nails!

Whether you prefer a clean look or a fresh manicure, pay attention to your nails and your baby's. Since hands often feature prominently in newborn photos, make sure to remove any chipped polish.

On the Day of Your Session

1. Consider Hair and Makeup

Let’s be honest: hair and makeup artists are incredible! They can transform a sleep-deprived new mom into a stunning version of herself. A little contouring can go a long way, especially when you’re still adjusting to motherhood.

2. Dress Your Baby Simply

For the session, a simple onesie works best under a swaddle. Babies love being swaddled, and it keeps them comfortable. I highly recommend a plain large swaddle so we can wrap your baby like a burrito! Just remember: newborns can be sensitive to changes in clothing. The less we change them, the happier they’ll be!

Let’s pick one outfit you love for your baby, and we’ll try it on before swaddling. Remember, newborns often wake up when changed, which can lead to fussiness, so we want to make the most of our time for photos!

3. Feed Your Baby

This is the easiest tip! If possible, time your baby’s feeding just before I arrive. A full baby is a happy baby, which makes for a smooth session. Of course, we’ll always take breaks for feeding!

Bonus Tip: For Your Family Pets!

If you want to include your dog in the session, I’m all for it! Just have some high-value treats ready. We can capture some sweet moments with your pup, whether it's them kissing the baby or posing for a family portrait.

With these tips, you’ll be well-prepared for a lovely lifestyle newborn session. I can’t wait to create beautiful memories with you and your family!