You did it! You’ve just had a baby. Phew!

But now…..

Now you have to look presentable for photos.

WHAT? 😱

You’re still getting into a routine, have no idea which way is up, feel like your body isn’t your own and have eaten eggs for the last 6 meals. (Ok, maybe the egg thing was only me!)

Deep breath!

I get you. I’ve been you, and I still remember it really quite clearly.

This is where the true beauty of an in-home lifestyle newborn session comes into play.

You get to be you, and although it will be a tiny bit of preparation, I’ll work really hard on making sure it’s not overwhelming for you.

Here are a few guidelines to prepare for your lifestyle newborn photoshoot:

HOUSE PREP

Prior to my arrival please tidy the house like you would for a new friend. Tuck clutter away or shove it into a closet (I promise I won’t look) and make the beds. There’s no need to clean like your mother-in-law is coming! No vacuuming under the couch, toilet scrubbing, or polishing the silver is necessary.

If you run out of time, don’t worry (really!), I’m a pretty excellent mover of things. Guaranteed you’ll see me move something of yours during our session. Please don’t take offence to this – it doesn’t mean it isn’t lovely, it just means it isn’t working with how I’m setting up the shot.

Although your baby won’t be naked a ton, it’s best to ensure that your house isn’t chilly. It doesn’t have to be hot, but somewhere in a comfortably warm range is always good as it just tends to make for happier babies.

WHAT TO WEAR

You already have what you need in your closet!

Neutral tones are best. Bright, bold colours and vivid patterns will compete with each other and overpower your sweet new baby.

Soft, muted tones best suit the mood of the photographs (and provide the most beautiful prints).

Ideally, you want your family to coordinate but not match.

Mom – cardigans, maxi skirts, leggings, flowy tops, jeans. You just had a baby so you deserve to be comfortable! If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll also probably need to nurse at some point, so ensure your clothes are conducive to that.

Dad – jeans, khaki shorts, oxford shirt unbuttoned, dark plaid, plain t-shirts. Think casual but not sloppy.

Baby – simple white/pastel onesies or sleepers. It’s best to have a few baby outfit options available as accidents happen. Have a few swaddles that are neutral available. (If you don’t have any, don’t panic…I always bring a few too.)

GETTING THE FAMILY READY

I generally schedule newborn sessions for mid-morning, so if you’ve had a rough time the night before, you have a few more hours to sleep in. This is also the best time if older siblings are involved as it’s before lunch and afternoon naps.

There’s nothing special that you need to do for your baby before I arrive. If the baby is hungry while I’m there then we’ll take a break for feeding (it’s bound to happen at least once). If you’re bottle-feeding then it can be handy to have a bottle all made up and ready to go so that it just needs to be warmed up. If your baby has been up for hours on end or is fast asleep, it’s all good – I will work with whatever the baby throws at me.

If there are older siblings in the session I recommend they’re fed before I arrive. Kids are just happier when their bellies are full. You can always make a snack while I’m there, but if we start out happy then we’ll generally roll through things quicker. It’s also helpful to have a few quiet toys/colouring books ready to occupy the older sibling while I’m busy working with the baby alone.

That’s it!

Really!

This is my job and I have ton many, many sessions, so I promise I can take whatever happens and I’ll work with it. I’d much rather you feel relaxed and comfortable than stress about what you need to do ahead of time.

Interested in more info about what happens between sending me an inquiry and your session? Check out this information page for more details.