What is a lifestyle newborn session?

Most people have seen lifestyle newborn photography but they didn’t know it had a name.

Lifestyle baby photos are all about being relaxed at home. Less posed, more relaxed and natural.

Coming to your home lets me tell your story in a way that I can’t in a traditional studio. We can use elements in your home that have meaning to you as the backdrop to your photos! Natural, casual, at home but still beautiful. These photos are intended to capture you as you are.

You probably are wondering how can you prepare your home and your family for your session. It’s not as hard as it sounds I promise! Here are a few common questions I have when preparing for a lifestyle newborn shoot.

What is a lifestyle newborn shoot really like?

It's good to know what to expect on the day, and to prepare other family members for what's coming! For Dads, know that I will need 1-2 hours of your time but I won’t be photographing you the whole time. In fact, you’ll probably only be in front of the camera 20 min or so. If you have other children, then Dad will spend a good portion of time keeping them entertained before and after their turn. For siblings tell them that someone fun is coming over to take their picture. Feel free to offer bribes for good behaviour!

Which areas of the house will we be using?

Obviously, I will be coming to your home for the session, but we don’t shoot in every room. I normally like to start in baby's room. We will capture all the beautiful items you have set up for your new arrival. After that, we will move to either the master bedroom or the living room. Lighting will determine this. I’ll be looking for a room with the best light that has space for the whole family to cuddle. A bed or a couch is the perfect spot to gather everyone (including the family pets) for a beautiful portrait.

What if my house is a mess?

Honestly I can't imagine how hard it is to keep a tidy house with a newborn. I know it wasn't that way for me! Generally we will move things around to keep the area we are using as clutter-free as possible, but that doesn't mean your whole house have to be spotless.

What do we wear??

When it comes to what to wear for lifestyle newborn photos think about yourself and your family and what your overall style is.  What are you most comfortable in? If you normally love to wear dresses then please do, but if jeans and t-shirts are more your style, then that's ok too! I want you to feel comfortable and dress as 'yourself'. It's important to stay true to your own style so when you look back on your photos, you love what you were wearing.

When it comes to colours, I recommend either two things. First, neutral colours are your friend. Creams, greys, browns. These are simple and bring the attention to your faces. Secondly, if you love colour, I suggest picking a colour theme . Find an outfit for yourself (mum) and then base the other family members outfits around that. Colours that compliment rather than match is best. Pinterest has endless suggestions for colour palettes. Please avoid anything overly bright/neon. Also items with large logos or pictures can be visually distracting. Keep it simple.

Again, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable in what you are wearing and it reflects who you are.

How do we get baby ready?

Ideally baby will have a full tummy when I arrive, with a clean nappy and clothing. Keep some wipes handy in case of spills, and have spare clothes available. Especially if you want a few outfit changes! We will go at your baby's pace, taking breaks when needed.



What if baby doesn't settle?

We will take our time and do our very best to get the photos you are wanting. We will take breaks when needed to feed and change baby. From my experience, your baby will pick up on your mood - if you are stressed, then they will often be fussy. Try to relax and enjoy the process.