What should we do on the day? Geelong newborn photographer explains how to prepare for an in-home session.
When it comes to capturing those blissfully hazy first days with your beautiful new addition, preparation is key. We want to do everything we can to make sure everyone, but most especially bub, are happy and comfortable.
That being said, don’t stress if things aren’t going to plan the morning of my arrival. As a mama of two, I know newborns have no regard for your plans, no matter how well laid they are!
This is one of the reasons why I love doing in-home sessions with my Geelong, Ballarat, Melbourne and Torquay families; it gives us the time and space to go at your baby’s pace. I’m not watching the clock, and you can rest assured I won’t be leaving until we’ve made the photographs I came to make.
Remember, catching the precious memories of your love-ling’s first days and weeks is meant to be fun!
You can relax knowing there’s no need to practice your smiles in the bathroom mirror or spend hours selecting perfect poses – I’ll help you with prompts and conversation that will keep your photos organic and natural.
I’ve had a think about what works best, and come up with a short check-list for the day of my visit to help you feel ready.
What should I put on the bed?
Newborn sessions often feature time spent on the bed (either in the master bedroom or nursery). To prepare these spaces I suggest using plain coloured sheets and bedding that will provide a distraction-free backdrop (light or earthy tones tend to work best).
We’ll need the heater on.
When capturing those scrumptious sleepy newborn shots, I like to document baby’s teeny tiny features – her toes, little leg rolls and belly button. To make sure baby is calm and happy while we take these images, I recommend making sure the home is toasty warm.
You want to aim for something that’s almost too warm for mama and dad, where you feel comfortable in a dress no matter the season outside.
Should I move feeding/nap time to earlier in the day?
As in-home photography sessions are all about bottling the beautifully ordinary, candid moments between you and your baby, we don’t want my presence to disrupt your routine.
We’ll begin the session wherever you happen to be in your day; be it sleeping, feeding, or enjoying snuggles.
If baby will be sleeping when I arrive though, it can be a great idea to dress her in the outfit you’ve chosen for the session (you can read more about what the family should wear here) – that way we’ll be able to start without waking her (transitions for freshies can be hard!).
Let the main rooms be tidy, but also lived-in.
As a natural light photographer, when I come to your home to make your newborn (or maternity or family!) photographs, we’ll most likely be in the rooms you spend the majority of your time - the living room and the bedrooms.
These rooms not only tend to have excellent light, but they’re also the spaces in which you’ll most want to remember spending time as a family.
To prepare for our time together, I recommend doing a basic tidy in these areas - removing things that aren’t usually there or permanent fixtures, and that may prove a distraction in your photographs.
Things like clothes horses piled with hubby’s work shirts, or the box of books that’s been sitting by the door, waiting ever so patiently to go to the thrift store for the last month (okay, possibly that’s just my living room!).
In saying this, I want to stress a basic survey of the space is more than fine - during my visit, if things need moving out of the frame, I will be there to happily move them, so please don’t feel like you need to spring clean for me!
Wriggle monsters need snacks! And lots of them!
If your newborn has older brothers or sisters, make sure they’ve had a healthy meal before I arrive – we want them to have plenty of energy for the session!
It’s also a good idea to have a few easy to eat snacks prepared for while I’m there. Choose some mess free options (like sliced apple or plain crackers) so we can avoid stained faces and clothes.
Capturing organic family portraits doesn’t have to be stressful. Regardless of how babe is feeling on the day, we’ll get that natural newborn shot you’ve been dreaming of, I promise - it’s my specialty!
All this taken care of, it’s time you sit back and relax.
The hard part is done, your little miracle is here, all you have to do now is wait for my gentle knock on your door. : )
If you’re looking for a little more guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out – I’m always here to help!
