Congratulations new moms! You finally finished the hunt for a local newborn photographer and you’re almost at the finish line. Let me help you get there faster before your baby arrives! We need to make this happen now so everything is set to go before you start experiencing all the fun during your first weeks with your newborn.
When I photograph a client’s home and their new baby, sadly, about 50% of parents are hesitant to select their home for a photoshoot (initially). There are many reasons why, but I have successfully converted 90% of my clients to choose their home as the best spot for a newborn photoshoot.
It’s my job to capture the beauty in all things, whether it means that you have unwashed dishes, piles of laundry to do, unfinished home decor projects, or even a messy corner in the house somewhere.
Here’s the truth, I just need one tiny detail = good lighting.
Below are the best tips I can offer to a mom or dad who’s on edge about preserving beautiful moments in your home.
Reason #1 – Your home is PERFECTLY imperfect
Your home is beautiful & it’s perfect just the way it is
There is no such thing as a perfect house. There, I said it =)
Your family’s home is probably never on your location list or at the bottom of the list, but it should be the first. The majority of your family’s milestones are celebrated together at home, this is the nest that you come home to every day. Why isn’t it on the top of your location list?
Let me guess, you’re probably worried about:
- the messy living room
- the dirty pile of laundry
- the small toy pieces lying on the floor (legos anyone?)
- the odd-colored wall paints
- the idea of a stranger in your home
- your home not being presentable
- the stack of toys that needs to be put away
- the inconsistent color scheme of your home decor
- Baby’s nursery is not up and ready (thank goodness I’m already equipped with a bean bag)
Perfectionism used to be something I tried to achieve since I was a child and that’s because it earned me lots of compliments and brownie points at school. Being perfect and a neat freak was a nickname that other kids used to call me. I wish my current self could time travel and shatter the perfectionist mentality that somehow got to me during those playground years.
This is what I focused on in elementary school:
- Coloring within the lines, trying so hard not to smear or smudge while I watch everyone else finish the assignment before me.
- Taking the time of my life to achieve “perfect” penmanship
- Making sure that my rough draft essay looked like a final draft
- Always listened to everything my parents said. Trying to be that perfect child.
As a result, I spent my entire childhood FOCUSING ON THE WRONG THING. None of that perfectionist stuff mattered!!!! There are so many ways to do a math problem and get a 10 (a random number I chose).
- 7+3 = 10
- 5+5 = 10
- 20-10 = 10
- 5×2 = 10
- (5×4)-10 = 10
- (10×10)/10 = 10
I wish someone had told me sooner that there are many ways to get a 10. I was too focused on being “perfect” and it caused me to not see the big picture. Do you see how the idea of being a perfectionist but me behind the rest?
Perfectionism does not exist and I guarantee you not every home is perfect. Regardless of how your home looks to you, it’s the best place because your new baby will be living and growing there. As a fellow photographer, I specialize in finding light and good angles that elevate your images. We don’t need to take photos in every single room, we can focus on one corner or just the nursery and maybe somewhere nice right outside of your home.
Reason #2 – Comfortable & Convenient
You don’t have to worry about being late to your photoshoot
It’s never intentional, but when parents run late to their photoshoot, it’s usually because of some sort of hiccup along the way.
Once in a while, I receive text messages from parents saying something like, “Sorry, Sarah we’re running 15 minutes late, our baby just……(fill in the blank)…..”
I simply replied, “Thank you for letting me know. No worries, please drive safely”. The last thing I’m going to do is be passive-aggressive and cancel their photoshoot. I don’t want anyone running a red light and arriving on location feeling rushed. If you feel like this might be you, the more reason to consider an in-home newborn session.
The best solution to this is to schedule your newborn photoshoot in the comfort of your own home. We just need to select one room with the most natural light entering through the windows. By doing so, you cut down the time in half. By choosing to stay at the perfect spot, you immediately free up more time to breathe and relax before your session. Your main focus won’t be situated on how late you are but naturally, shift to your session.
Reason #3 – Controlled Environment (99% of the time)
You have the power to control what’s going on in your home
These are the things you have control of when you’re at home vs. an outdoor photoshoot:
- Baby’s safety (especially the first month or weeks of life)
- Big brother or big sister can take breaks and go play their favorite toy will mommy and baby gets their special time together
- Little brothers can get their extra 5 minute screen time
- Room temperature for the best deep sleep (babies prefer warmth & a happy belly)
- Having a restroom for your other toddler (the little details that we often overlook)
- The ambiance is controlled with white noise or relaxing music
- Clean space & bed sheets
- You get to pick your favorite place at home for the photoshoot
- We don’t have to take photos of the whole house
The bottom line is, being in control is always a good idea right?
Reason #4 – Your home carries significant meaning
This is where you spend the most time with your family
Parents, please tell me that I’m not the only one doing this. After a long day at my 9-5 job, all I want to do is go home, eat dinner, shower, and rest. At times, I am so eager to be home that I skip using the restroom at work and just go straight home. My willpower to go straight home allows me to hold my pee in for the longest 10 minutes of my life. I can’t seem to put it into words, but something about going home just makes me feel like everything is back to normal and all peace is restored after a long and tedious workday.
A few years ago, there was a trend on Instagram where people would use the hashtag #transformationtuesday or #transformationthursday. This is a brilliant idea if your baby takes photos in your home and 10+ years later replicates that same photo. That would be the most priceless picture because it took 10+ years in the making.
By choosing your home, your photoshoot naturally becomes a lifestyle newborn photo session. I will be able to document the tiny details in your life, whether it’s you sitting on a rocking chair or laughing in the master bedroom with another family member. The essence of my storytelling journey about your family is capturing candid moments and real-life interactions with family members.
Reason #5 – No one gets left behind
Grandparents…you are always welcome to join family portraits with us!
No one should be left behind ever. In my previous home newborn photo session, I find it extra meaningful when everyone in the house joins for a photoshoot. By far, the cutest is when grandparents take photos with their grandkids.
Everyone will have a wonderful time, think of it as an activity for family bonding time.
If you’re feeling a bit ambitious, this is also a good time to give grandparents the gift of printed memories. Grandparents are the time capsule that holds a record of your family history. All the beautiful images from this type of session will surely put a smile on their faces.
