Those first few weeks with a new baby are so precious, and they go by faster than you can imagine. I know after having a baby, you might think pictures are the last thing you want to do, especially preparing for in home newborn photos. But I make it as easy as possible for you so you can relax, enjoy being in the moment, and have perfect, tangible memories of your sweet new baby when they are impossibly small. Don’t be overwhelmed by preparing for in home newborn photos because it’s really simple!

5 Preps for Your Space

Hide the Things

Your home does not have to be perfect. I promise. It’s your home and it’s supposed to look lived in, and if you have little ones, it’s VERY well lived in.  You don’t have to hire a professional cleaning company before your session or redecorate the living room; I’m there to focus on you and the interactions with your new baby. Instead, focus on de-cluttering your home which means just tidying up a bit and basically putting stuff in the room where it belongs (no coats on couch or towels on bed sort of thing) and just toss the rest in a closet until I leave.

My personal tip: grab a laundry basket and walk around and toss everything that needs to get put away in there, then just stick the basket in a closet or the garage until I leave. No big deal! Giving windows or mirrors a quick wipe does go a long way because streaks or dust on these surfaces can be very obvious in photographs.

Crank the heat (or turn off the air conditioning).

The adults may feel a bit hot and uncomfortable, but the baby will be toasty and happy (and as you’re learning, their needs come first haha).

Get baby comfy

About 30 minutes before the scheduled session or before the baby naps, loosen the baby’s diaper to allow time for the diaper’s imprint marks to disappear. You can swaddle baby in a warm blanket until I arrive; they tend to like that and it’s a sweet photo op for me.  If baby’s skin is a little dry or flaky, try applying a small bit of baby lotion to those spots the day before our session.

Find special items

Collect any items you want used in the session beforehand such as blankets or stuffed animals.  We’ll go through these together to determine what and how we can use the items in your session.

Which spaces to tidy

I typically shoot a good portion of the session in the nursery so please have the curtains and shades open to let in lots of natural light. I also love to photograph baby with mom and dad in their bed, on the couch, anywhere comfy and snuggly. No need to clean, but just try and make sure the clutter has found its way to a closet in these particular rooms.

I truly want to make this as easy as possible for you. That’s why I come to you and do my best to capture your love, connection and joy in this season of life. It’s okay if baby has a blow out, we’re at home, you can wash them, find them a change of clothes, whatever they need. Baby needs to eat? Go ahead and feed them. You’ve got this mama and I’m here to document it! If this sounds like the type of newborn session you would love, just click on that Contact tab and drop me a line!