How To Prepare For Your In Home Newborn Photography Session

Here is your guide on preparing for your in home newborn photography session in Northern Virginia. These precious moments with your newborn are fleeting, and capturing them in photos is a beautiful way to preserve these memories. Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding another little one to your family, a newborn photography session can be a wonderful experience.

In-home newborn photography sessions are my absolute favorite because they allow me to get private and unique photos of my clients while they’re in an environment that makes them feel the most relaxed and comfortable. So, how can you prepare for your upcoming session? Here are my top suggestions to help you prepare for your in home newborn photography session.

Start With A Consultation (With Me!)

Before we even start taking photos, we’ll have a consultation session where I’ll get to know you. Tell me about your family when you reach out. Let me know about your newborn (if they’ve already been born), siblings, their personality, your personality, or any other detail you want me to know. 

By taking the time to get to know each other, we’ll be able to create a more personalized and comfortable session. This will also give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the process or what to expect from your in home newborn photography session.

Consider What Poses You Want To Capture

Before your in home newborn photography session, consider what things you like to do with your newborn baby that make you feel excited or attached to your baby. While I’ll always help provide poses and recommendations, these photos are ultimately your keepsakes! I want you to have the photos you want. What are some things that you want captured during your in home photography session in Northern Virginia? This might look like:

• Reading a book to your newborn
• Sitting in a rocking chair
• Snuggling on the couch
• Laying in bed together

These are your forever memories. I want you to have the ones that mean the most to you. So, take the time to jot down some ideas and poses that you want to try during your session.

Prepare The Areas You Want To Photograph

In no way do I expect to walk into a spotless home, but for your sake, you’ll likely feel the most calm when you’re not surrounded by a mess. Consider the areas you want to spend most of the session in and prep them. This might look like tidying up the living room, making your bed, or clearing off counters.

You could lay a light blanket over the top of darker bedding or even just wipe down the light fixtures. Adding just a few of these little details may have a significant impact on the mood and style of your photographs. I want to capture you in your natural environment, not your “show-ready” one!

Stay Calm And Enjoy The Session

These sessions are meant to capture images of your newborn as they are, not as the world thinks they should be. It’s okay if you have a fussy baby and you aren’t sure if they’ll behave. Let me worry about that. Your job is to have the model ready to go and the areas of your home set for photos! I’ll handle the rest.

Have Toys On Hand

Sometimes, your newborn may need a little distraction or entertainment during your in home newborn photography session. Determine which items are best at soothing your little munchkin. For example, this could be a pacifier or a specific stuffed animal. Whatever comforts your baby, have it on hand so we can use it if needed. Keeping your newborn content and happy will help us capture the best photos.

Prepare Your Family

If your family will be part of the newborn shoot, that’s great! You want to be sure they are all aware of how the process goes and what is to be expected of them. Since this is not a family photo shoot, the focus will always be on capturing the newborn. However, sometimes it’s okay for little sister or big brother to peek in with the baby! Even your dog can pop in for a quick hello!

Conclusion: In Home Newborn Photography Sessions

Your in home newborn photography session is meant to be special and relaxed, capturing the natural moments with your family. By following these tips, you can help make sure that your session runs smoothly and that we capture all of the sweet and authentic moments with your newborn. As a Northern Virginia newborn photographer specializing in newborn photography, I am here to guide you through every step of the process and help create beautiful, timeless photos that you will cherish for years to come.

So, let’s work together to capture these precious moments with your newborn in the comfort of your own home. Contact me today for more information and to schedule your in home newborn photography session!  

Want even more resources? Check out some of my other posts below:

• The 8 Best Old Town Alexandria Maternity Photoshoot Locations
• 3 Benefits Of An Outdoor Newborn Photoshoot In Northern Virginia
• Ashburn Virginia Newborn Photography Session: Love Is In The Hair