Bethesda Newborn Photographer: Relaxed Photos at Home
If you’re in the middle of those early newborn days where you’re adjusting to life with a new baby (or second or third baby) while time somehow feels both slow and impossibly fast, you’re not alone! For many Bethesda families, those first weeks can feel chaotic and exhausting, but we know they’re also filled with so much love. These moments may feel small and mundane, but they end up being moments we all want to hold onto forever.
As a Bethesda newborn photographer, I work with families who want photos that feel natural, relaxed, and true to real life. If you’ve been wondering what a newborn session actually looks like and whether now is the right time, this post will walk you through what you can expect.
A newborn photography experience that feels easy and natural
Life with a newborn doesn’t pause. There’s always something to do, somewhere to clean, and someone to feed. I don’t want your newborn photo session to feel like something extra you have to manage. That’s why my approach to newborn photography is designed to fit right into your everyday routines, right at home.
Bethesda families often choose in-home newborn sessions because they offer comfort and flexibility to make it as easy as possible to make this session happen. There’s no packing up bottles, outfits, or diaper bags. No rushing out the door. Everything your baby needs is already right there. And bonus if there is a sibling, they have a chance to show off their room, and we have allll the snacks on hand. It’s a win-win!
Having your newborn session at home means that your home becomes the backdrop for photos that reflect this chapter of life in a natural way, keeping everyone comfortable right at home, in a meaningful place.
Connection over perfection, always!
One of the worries I sometimes hear from parents is whether their home looks “photo-ready” or if their baby will cooperate. We don’t need a “Pinterest” or “aesthetic” home. I mean, if you do, that’s great but I definitely don’t ha! The truth is, your home is great just the way it is.
Your newborn session isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection.
I’ll gently guide you through the session while focusing on the little details. Having this newborn session also gives you an excuse to hold your baby as much as you want! You’ll love to have photos to reflect the way your baby fits perfectly in your arms, and how teeny tiny her fingers and toes are. You’ll also treasure even photos of the breastfeeding and bottle feeds. These are the details that tell your family’s story.
You don’t need to do anything special. I come to your home and will provide a relaxed and meaningful newborn session experience.
What a lifestyle newborn session looks like at home
Lifestyle newborn photography is intentionally unposed and relaxed. Rather than placing your baby into unnatural baby positions, I document your family as you naturally would interact. Snuggling, soothing, feeding, and simply being together. There will be moments I’ll provide guidance or put you in the best light, but I want you to feel as comfortable as possible.
I’ll have you show me different areas in your home to best tell your story. Some spaces that typically work for in home newborn sessions include:
Bedrooms
Living rooms
Siblings rooms
Nurseries
Areas with beautiful natural light (think - kitchen, family room)
The goal is to create images that feel like memories, not setups. Photos that look the way this season felt.
Baby-led, flexible, and unrushed
Every newborn is different, and your session will reflect moments that are special and unique to your family.
Lifestyle newborn sessions are completely baby-led, meaning we pause whenever your baby needs to eat, be changed, or comforted. If an older sibling needs attention or a break, that’s welcome too. I can’t think of a newborn session with a sibling that did not involve snack time!
There’s no pressure for your baby to sleep. This approach of photography allows us to capture what is happening, whether baby is awake and alert or asleep in mamas arms. Your newborn session will embraces real life, exactly as it unfolds.
You’ll want to remember this season, even if it feels messy
The newborn stage is fleeting. One day you’ll look back and be amazed by how small your baby once was, how quickly their features changed, and how much love filled those early days.
When you revisit these photos years from now, you won’t think about the laundry on the couch or your never ending to-do list. You’ll see those special family moments.
These images become reminders of a season that passes far too quickly, even when it felt overwhelming at the time.
Newborn photography for Bethesda families
I photograph newborn sessions throughout Bethesda, Maryland, working with families who value connection, simplicity, and meaningful storytelling. In-home newborn photography is especially great for Bethesda families who want a calm experience right at home without the stress of a studio environment or needing to leave your home.
Now is the right time
If you’ve been waiting for the “right” moment, when things feel calmer, when you feel more rested, when your home feels more put together, I just want to remind you, don’t wait!
Now is the perfect time.
Your baby will never be this small again. This season deserves to be remembered with meaningful photos.
Washington DC Newborn Photographer | What to Expect From Your Newborn Session
If you’re in the middle of those newborn days, I know exactly what that feels like. You’re running on little sleep, trying to remember the last time you drank your coffee while it was still warm. Those first few weeks can feel like a blur! As hard as those first few moments are, we know we will cherish them and want to hold them onto forever.
As a newborn photographer in the Washington D.C. area, I know how easy it is to put off booking newborn photos. Maybe you want to wait until your home feels more “put together.” Maybe you’re not feeling quite like yourself yet. Or maybe life just feels too busy right now.
Can I let you in on a little secret? There’s no perfect time. Schedule your newborn session, hire the photographer. You’ll want to have these meaningful photos of your tiny newborn baby.
Your newborn session is about connection, not perfection
You don’t need to worry about how your home looks or whether your baby will sleep through the session. I’ll gently guide you through everything and focus on what matters most, which is your connection as a new family. If this is your first baby, a new parent is born. This might be the first grandbaby. If this is your second baby, a sibling is born. There are so many changes and connection is everywhere. Your newborn session will also include the little details.
Your baby’s tiny fingers, the way they fit perfectly in your arms, and those little quiet moments between feedings and diaper changes. These are the details you’ll be able to look back on to tell your story.
You don’t have to do anything special for your newborn session. You’ll be present with your family and I’ll take care of the rest.
Lifestyle newborn photography for Washington D.C. families
Unlike traditional posed newborn photography, lifestyle newborn sessions are relaxed and baby-led. We take breaks when your baby needs them and go with the flow.
There will be times when we need to pause for a feeding or to just hold your baby and remind them you’re here. The beauty of this style of newborn photography reflects real life, connection, and details of this stage of life.
And because I photograph newborn sessions in your home, there’s no rushing out the door or packing a bag. Your home is the perfect place for your newborn session because everything you need is already there.
You’ll want to remember this season, even the messy parts
The early days with a new baby are fleeting. You’ll be amazed at how quickly their features change and how much they grow even in the first 1-2 weeks.
When you look back, you won’t care that the laundry was on the couch or that you were still figuring things out. You’ll see the beauty when you look through your newborn photos.
These photos become reminders and memories of the first few weeks, even in the middle of the chaos.
Washington D.C. newborn photography | Now is the perfect time
Whether you’re in Washington D.C., Montgomery County, or Northern Virginia area, now is the perfect time to document your growing family.
If you’ve been waiting for the “right” moment, this is it. Your baby will never be this small again. Let’s capture it together!
Mother's Day | Kensington MD Family Photographer
This blog post is all about Moms!! Most of the time moms are the ones reaching out to me to schedule family photos. I’m so grateful for you!!
I wanted to share a short blog post to highlight some of my past and repeat clients on the blog and include some reasons why gifting a photo session is a great gift for mother’s day!
Keep reading about how we celebrate Moms | Family Photography, Kensington, Maryland
One reason why a photo session is a great gift for mother’s day is that it celebrates moms!!
Holidays can be hard because it can be overwhelming just to think about what we “want” or “need”. Booking a photo session is a personalized gift that gives us a reason to look beautiful connecting with our family.
Moms want photos with their children.
A photo session documents connection and reminds us we were there! Moms are usually the ones taking the photo. Gifting a photo session is a way to personalize a gift where moms can be in front of the camera.
Time doesn’t stand still.
Photos help to remind us that time is such a thief. I don’t know about you, but watching our daughter grow up is so bittersweet. I want her to experience the world but I also want her to me a baby forever! A photo session helps to freeze time for just a little bit longer. Whether you’re booking a maternity session, newborn session, spring or fall family photos, each one helps to document a slice of life.
Once your photo session is complete, you can print the images of your family and decorate your home!
Gifting a photo session isn’t just about the session, but also what comes after! When you book a family session you cannot let the images just live on your computer and social media.
I’m a huge advocate for printing images. Decorate your home with the images from your photo session!!
We have photos on several walls in our home and downstairs in the playroom. It’s such an experience to walk through our home with loving photos of our family on our wall.
I hope this blog post was helpful at reminding you of a unique gift for mother’s day.
Family of Four | Northern Virginia Newborn Photography
Newborn sessions really are something I think every family should experience! I photographed this family when big sister was around 2 years old and I was so excited to hear they would be welcoming another little girl into their family and that the family wanted to schedule a lifestyle newborn session.
Today on the blog I’m sharing a few different ways you can make sure to have a full gallery of images from your in home lifestyle newborn session.
plan for the newborn session to take place at home.
As a northern Virginia newborn & family photographer I usually find it’s most helpful to schedule the newborn session in your home. Each home is so unique to the family and the routines and environment can vary.
Although there are always specific “poses” and combinations of family members I take at each session, the way we get there and the outcome varies which I think makes each session unique to the family.
2. include ways your older sibling can participate in the session
If you have an older child, we know that their world has completely changed from maybe being the center of all attention to now having to share the spotlight with a brand new baby. If the older child isn’t ready to participate, we aren’t going to force it. But if they are interested in touching and being near baby, we will embrace it for as long as we can!
This is a good time to capture images of the siblings together, whether laying together or sibling helping to hold the baby. A curious sibling will often do something unexpected and we have to be ready!
3. photograph each parent with the baby
The newborn is really the star of the show at a lifestyle newborn session. We want to have a gallery full of images of the baby alone and with family members, doing different things and spending time together. Photographing each parent with the baby is another way to ensure a full family gallery from the session.
4. document a feeding
New babies eat a lot and they eat often. I like to plan for newborn sessions to be longer than traditional family sessions because at some moment during the session the baby will want to eat.
A feeding is a great time to take a few moments to slow down and embrace this stage of life.
5. embrace unscheduled moments
Babies are going to do what they want to do when they want to do it. And so will siblings! Sessions tend to go smoothly when we embrace the unscheduled moments and go with the flow.
We might not have expected a specific thing to happen when it happened but it gives us moments that we might not have gotten otherwise. I’m always ready to take the photo!
6. pick out areas in your home that you spend time or that have meaning
We spent most of this session inside of the family’s home, and ending the session outside in the yard. For most of the indoor portion of the session we used some different areas in the family room, couch, large windows, and kitchen.
There is such a variety of moments that can be captured at an in home lifestyle newborn session. All of this will vary based on the family’s home and it’s fun to get creative with how to use the space!
7. be flexible with expectations
I’ll finish up this blog post saying that it’s good to be flexible with expectations during a lifestyle family session. The baby might want to nap, the baby might want to be awake, the baby might want to be held the whole time.
All of those things are totally fine for these laid back lifestyle sessions.
5 Images you'll want to have from your Baby's Newborn Photo Session | DC Newborn Photography
Hello hello I’m back on the blog today with a new post! I love being able to look back at past sessions and find a way to show the images by sharing helpful things related to family and newborn photography.
Today’s post talks all about in home newborn photography. Most of the time newborn sessions take the place in the family’s home within the Washington, DC area including Maryland and Northern Virginia.
Most families are still getting situated with routines and feedings and it’s way easier to have the photographer come to the home than to leave your home to meet the photographer.
Related blog posts:
Since my newborn sessions are lifestyle and baby led, it’s just another reason to stay put at home and not stress out to have to pack everything and get in the car and drive.
I’ve put together this blog post to share 5 images you’ll want from your baby’s newborn session.
your baby wearing just a diaper
It can be hard to tell from images but when you hold your baby you realize how TEENY TINY they are. I love photographing hands and cuddles especially when the baby is wearing just a diaper.
2. documenting a feeding
Newborn babies tend to eat what feels like 15 or 20 times a day. More often than not, the baby will get hungry at one point or another during the newborn session. I like to document what the feeding looks like for your family - bottles, boobs, bibs, burps and all!
3. face to face interaction
Sometimes I get to photograph newborns that are a bit older than a “traditional” newborn age. A benefit of photographing a newborn when they’re closer to the 3-4 week age is they are awake more often and they’ll be able to focus on your face!
4. the nursery
Mama was so proud of the nursery, and understandably so, it’s so beautiful! We took a variety of images near the window with more contrasted light along with pull back compositional shots to document the entire nursery.
All of the elements, details, art, and love that goes into the nursery is so special to each family!
5. meaningful items
Little guy got a bit sleepy so we took several images with him with some family handmade wooden trains. How beautiful are these!
The family is also a big Michigan fan and we got some photos of the adorable matching attire!
Including the Whole Family in a Newborn Photo Shoot | DC Newborn Photographers
I often get asked questions about families wanting photos of other family members when we schedule the newborn session. My answer is always yes! With lifestyle family photography, it would be weird NOT to include siblings and caregivers.
Are you interested in seeing what a newborn session looks like with the whole family? Check it out!
the newborn session is led by the baby (or the sibling)
Baby doesn’t want to be put down? That’s okay! Baby is hungry? Totally fine. Baby didn’t get a lot of sleep? We still get great photos!
If there are siblings, usually one of the children has more needs at any given moment. If the baby is settled, content, and happy, at one point there may be an older sibling that wants attention. At least one of these scenarios will likely happen during your newborn session and that’s totally okay!
we will spend time getting each parent with the new baby
This can be documenting what it looks like during a feeding, or putting them in a new outfit that one of the caregivers or parents picked out. This can look like taking a moment of rest. This can also look like mama looking beautiful in a dress because let’s face it, it takes SO much effort to get ready once you have children (let alone a young baby!)
If there is a sibling, you know that if one of the parents is with the baby, the other parent is likely with the other child. This is a great time to get photos of the other parent with the other child!
we will spend time in different areas in your home
Since newborn sessions are typically scheduled in the morning, we will use the morning light coming through the windows. Think the master bedroom, kid’s room, and other family / living room areas.
Moving around in different areas adds visual interest to your gallery and captures your home where you raised your beautiful family!
if your family is calm and quiet, your gallery will depict calmness. if your family is playful and engaged and busy, your gallery will depict playfulness!
I don’t force children and families to do anything uncomfortable or that doesn’t feel like them.
My job as your lifestyle family photographer is to help guide and pose you to incorporate your connection, family, and environment to tell your story at any given time. For this family, it’s capturing a young boy and his baby brother.
portraits of the kids
There will usually be some moments that your baby is content, fed, and happy and I make it a priority to get portraits of the baby. This can be in a diaper or onesie, in a cute outfit, or can include a special blanket or item that was made or given to your baby.
If there is a sibling, I typically try to get your older sibling to interact and trust me and there are usually some really great images that come from that.
I hope this was helpful to share what a session can look like with other family members.
Related blog posts:
Send me a message to schedule your next family session!
3 rooms in your home to take newborn photos
So you’re thinking about scheduling your newborn session. Have you thought about the best location for your newborn session? Your home is the perfect place to take newborn photos!
I’m a newborn and family photographer in the DC area and it brings me joy to photograph family connection and all of the small moments that you want to look back on for years to come!
There are a few rooms I typically recommend using for your in home newborn session. Check them out!
The living room
This family had windows in the front of the house that let in beautiful light the morning of the newborn session. We started with portraits of big sister while baby brother was upstairs getting fed and changed. There’s a lot we can do in a short amount of time - I knew I wanted to photograph her in the chair and to twirl around and be silly. The timing worked out great and we were able to get photos of her with dad. Once the baby and mom came down, we added them to the mix, varying up the family combinations and adding in variety with the window - both standing and sitting poses.
The master bedroom
The master bedroom was actually where we also took photos of big sister’s 1 year milestone photos! You can check out that link here - One Year Milestone Session at Home.
We were able to photograph portraits of baby brother, grabbed a couple of quick family shots on the bed, and then we spent some time chatting while mom and baby brother got some special photos with each other. It’s so important to me that all family members get photographed because all of the connections are special and each family member has a unique bond with others.
The nursery/bedroom
We ended the session in the baby’s room. It was another way to photograph unique family decor and items. Families spend so much time decorating the nursery, for example getting the crib ready and painting the wall, hanging art, etc so I wanted to grab a few photos of this stage of life. We got a variety of family combinations and even got more of the siblings together.
It was such a fun session and I am so lucky to be invited into families homes to do this!
Check out some related blog posts below:
Thinking about scheduling your newborn session?
Outdoor Fall Newborn Family Session | Rock Creek Park
I’m so happy to share photos from this fall family session in Rock Creek Park DC! I have photographed this family a few times and I was so excited when they reached out for this session! Many of my newborn sessions tend to take the place indoors and it was fun to do something new and play outside while celebrating the new baby! Newborn sessions typically last around 1.5-2 hours depending on the flow & family, and of course the weather.
The fall is so beautiful in Washington DC and it was the perfect time of year to take photos with the different color foliage!
The outfits worked perfectly with the setting and it was such a fun way to document the growing family.
Related posts:
Since the older ones were already camera ready I took advantage and started with portraits of them playing and being interested in my camera!
Do you notice that the little guy is *just comfortable enough with me but still holding onto mom’s dress? I love that detail!
We moved onto the whole family (including the pup!), portraits of each of the children and then started working on family combinations. We ended the session with playing in the leaves!!
Can you tell we have fun? Lifestyle family photography is all about capturing emotion and connection, and most importantly letting the kids be kids.
Are you interested in scheduling newborn photos?
Check out more from the newborn portfolio and let me know if you want to photograph this important time!
What I want you to know about a newborn session with a toddler
So you have a toddler, and you just had a new baby. And you want to book a newborn session. Now what?
So glad you found me, I’m a lifestyle family and newborn photographer in Washington, DC and lifestyle newborn sessions are my jam!
When a family contacts me to book a newborn sessions, sometimes I get questions like - will you take portraits of the baby? Will you photograph my other child? What if my baby is awake? When should we schedule? I wrote a little blog post here for you called Frequently Asked Questions Newborn Session questions and it’s linked there!
Related Blog Posts:
In this blog post, there are a few things I want you to know about your newborn session with a toddler.
Newborn sessions are flexible
I don’t have super high expectations for toddlers, especially when they are competing for their parent’s attention. If the toddler needs time to warm up, we will start with photos of your newborn and then give the toddler time to get interested.
And vice versa if the newborn is needing comfort I will start with portraits of the toddler. There’s always something special to photograph during your lifestyle session!
If the baby is comfortable and happy, we will take portraits of the baby. Does your baby prefer to be held? That’s okay too - I’ll have you hold baby while I get family photos and portraits of the baby in your arms.
I will engage with your toddler to get their trust!
I don’t ever want your toddler to think that the session is about the baby. As a lifestyle photographer, I focus on the whole family. I will introduce myself to your toddler and usually ask them to show me their room or some of their favorite toys. And I’m not above singing children’s songs to get them excited.
Sometimes it’s helpful to give the toddler a job such as getting a blanket, or showing their toy to their sibling.
Photos from your newborn session should be natural
Some families are quiet and cuddly, some families are busy and playful. Sometimes the baby wants to eat a lot and sometimes the baby wants to sleep a lot. Sometimes the older one is having a bit of hard time. These sessions are so important as well as powerful.
Your photos will be a natural representation of what happened during your session. If your toddler wants absolutely nothing to do with the camera, we certainly won’t be making your child sit and smile. BUT if they want to be held, I will photograph them with family members. We can’t photograph what didn’t happen!
Newborn sessions are a bit longer than a family session
A lot of the time the newborn will need to feed or be comforted during the session so we allocate around 1.5-2 hours for these shoots. I find it gives us more time to go with the flow and not rush things. It also gives more time to give attention to play with the toddler!
We can’t guarantee any of those “pinterest inspiration” photos (but we can try)
Once your session is confirmed, you will complete a brief questionnaire for me to learn more about your family, names of family members, etc. If there are any photo ideas you have in mind, we will definitely try to get them, however these can’t be guaranteed. Sometimes the newborn and toddler will absoloutely not allow it. BUT good news is we will get very special photos of your family that might not be able to be replicated by another family. Cool right?
If you’re doing this session at home, there are several amazing areas to use!
This can be your toddler’s room, the baby’s room, the kitchen, living room, and/or playroom! For these, we spent a lot of time in the master room, nursery, family room, and we finished the session outside.
Your home is so special and it might not look the same way in 5 years.
Let’s start telling your story!
Are you ready to schedule a family session?
In-Home Newborn Photography in Bethesda, MD | Lifestyle Newborn Photographer
This family contacted me to photograph their now family of four. Mom shared that she hadn’t gotten newborn photos taken of this little guy and I was so excited to spotlight both him and big sister! Just because you book a newborn session doesn’t mean the photos will only be taken of your newborn - newborn sessions include all family members.
I’m a lifestyle photographer and I strive at capturing moments of connection instead of perfection.
When you think of your newborn session what comes to mind?
I want you to feel an emotion when you see photos of your family. I want you to see a picture of you holding your newborn and know what it feels like to have their weight on you.
I want you to see a photo holding your child into the air playing airplane and feel the emotion of that face to face interaction with your child.
I want you to see a photo of your family and feel an emotion of happiness and closeness.
Maybe your family is playful, energetic and wild.
Maybe you're calm and quiet.
Maybe your home is filled with color.
Maybe you love soft, neutral tones.
Whatever feels like you, that’s what we’ll capture during your session.
Whatever you choose, I want that to be captured in your family photos.
If you’re searching for a newborn photographer in the Bethesda, MD area and want a photographer that will provide a relaxed session experience, I’d love to hear from you!
Outdoor Newborn Session | Glenview Mansion Rockville
If you’re searching for a newborn photographer near you and you want photos that feel relaxed, natural, and full of connection, this outdoor newborn session at Glenview Mansion in Rockville is a perfect example of what that can look like.
As a North Bethesda newborn photographer, I love helping families slow down this season that passes way too quickly. Most of the time when families schedule their newborn session with me, they decide to have the newborn session in their home, but this lifestyle newborn session was at this beautiful venue in North Bethesda and had many options with beautiful light and space.
It was so great to spend time with this large family. All of the siblings enjoyed helping and we even got the grandparents in there too! Newborn sessions will always have my heart because there are so many moments of connection, love, intimacy, strength and every other emotion there is to be felt when you have a new baby.
When you look at the images below you’ll get an idea of all of the variety you’ll get in your gallery- parents with the children, siblings, feeding, and most of all- connection.
Why choose an outdoor newborn session?
Outdoor newborn sessions are a wonderful option for families who want something a little different than the in home newborn sessions. They’re especially great if you:
Love natural light and open spaces
Want photos that feel candid and unforced
Are looking for a newborn photographer near North Bethesda or Rockville who takes a lifestyle approach
This session was calm, baby‑led, and focused on connection with all family members. We focused on just that, connection, and let things unfold naturally, all while having a loose posing plan in mind.
A Relaxed, Baby‑Led Newborn Experience
My approach to newborn photography is simple. There’s no pressure for babies to sleep or perform. Since it’s baby led, this means we follow their cues and take breaks as needed.
During this outdoor newborn session at Glenview Mansion, we focused on:
Natural poses that felt comfortable for baby and parents
Genuine moments over perfection
Photos of all family members with baby
Group photos with grandparents
Portraits of all children and adults
This is ideal for families looking for a newborn photographer that values real moments over stiff posing.
Looking for a Newborn Photographer Near You?
If you’re searching for a newborn photographer near the North Bethesda area and you’re drawn to relaxed, natural imagery, I’d love to chat with you!
My goal is to create newborn photos that feel true to your family, and stress‑free from start to finish.
As cliché as it sounds, the newborn phase is so so fast so please reach out and help document this precious time!
In Home Newborn Family Session | DC Newborn Photography
I feel so so lucky to have this job! I photographed Mom and Dad for their maternity session at Brookside Gardens in the DC area and just a few weeks later I got to photograph them again at home with the new baby.
Related Blog Posts:
Maternity Session at Brookside Gardens
Frequently asked Newborn Session Questions
One thing I love about in home newborn sessions is that I get to talk with the family about this exciting time of their life, the change, the adjustment, and I get to photograph all. of. the. love.
Each newborn and family session is so unique and each family has different family dynamics, different homes and locations, and the interactions between family members can vary. And I’m here for all of it!
I hope you enjoy some the images below of this beautiful family.
Would you like to learn more about booking a lifestyle newborn session in the DC area?
Clum Kennedy Park, Kensington Maryland | Newborn Session
Hello! I am so behind on blogging but I couldn’t pass not sharing these images from the sweetest newborn session in Kensington Maryland!
These newborn photos were taken at Clum Kennedy Park in Kensington Maryland and oh. my. gosh.
I actually drove past Clum Kennedy while we were in the area and had to do a double take when I noticed the beautiful spring blooms!
In addition to this newborn session I also had a family session at Clum Kennedy! How cute is this family? I love what the family wore and Mom’s dress matched the pink blooms perfectly!
Have you ever been to Clum Kennedy Park? You should definitely go in the Springtime It’s beautiful!
Send me a message if you’re interested in scheduling a family or newborn session!
6 types of light I use when taking photos
There are so many different styles of photography and I wanted to write a blog post to share some examples of different ways to use light at a photo session. I have a pretty consistent style to the photos I take, whether I’m in the family’s home or outdoors. The way I pose and guide, promote child and family connection, and compose my images are consistent across my sessions. It’s lifestyle photography! If I am in a home that is bright and has colorful decor and has a lot of natural light, it will be an easy choice to go with composing and editing the images to be bright with the setting. It drives me crazy to see photography edits that make a photo look super dark and moody when actually it was bright and daylight outside. I tend to go with the ambience of the session and location.
One reason that I choose not to be a studio photographer is that I like to use light differently, again, for the reasons I mentioned above. Time of day, location, and available light all contribute to what a final image will look like.
Keep reading to see the different types of light I like to use at family and newborn sessions:
backlight/rim light
The sun sets behind the trees at this location and it’s so beautiful to see the sun shining through the trees, illuminating the subjects and getting some rim light! These weren’t quite golden hour but I chose to backlight this mama and her son to have a brighter, joyful look in this image.
golden hour
Depending on the location of the session, we can choose to shoot at golden hour which is the hour right before the sun sets. There is a creamy golden haze that can only be seen twice a day. I’m all about a morning golden hour session but most often the evening golden hour is more preferred for families and young children!
open shade / flat light
This photo session was from an in home newborn session, where we started inside and then came outside for the second half of the session. By the time we came outside there was plenty of sun shining into the family’s backyard so we found an area that was under the trees and well shaded. This type of light is known as flat light. It’s clean and I use it a lot depending on how the light shines through the location. There isn’t as much dimension and the light is pretty even on the subjects which means no eye squinting! ;-)
flash
I always bring my flash during in home sessions just in case we need more light in the rooms. This maternity session was done in the early evening and there wasn’t much light coming through the windows. The nursery as you cam see, has bright color and details that I wanted to capture. We would have had a totally different feel had I used just the natural window light, but I purposely used flash to keep this image bright and colorful.
dappled light
It’s always fun to do something a little different and use light in a new way. I was just photographing this mama in another area of the bedroom when I happened to notice the way the dappled light was coming through the window. I chose to show the color image here but the black and white also looked great with the contrast of all of the lines!
dramatic light
I loved this corner at this family’s home and knew I wanted to do something a little different here too. We took several photos upstairs with the flash and I knew in this specific area I wanted to use the directional light from the window and a lower exposure to create a more intimate image. And of course to focus on this little girl’s beautiful red hair.
It’s always fun to push my creativity to be able to fill your gallery after your family session.
Send me a message to schedule your family session!
Frequently Asked Newborn Session Questions
You’ve landed here because you’re interested in a newborn session! I’ve created this blog post to answer the most common questions about booking a newborn session. My lifestyle sessions are baby led and they are perfect for documenting your growing family.
Keep reading to find out the answers to frequently asked newborn session questions.
do you do in home sessions?
Yes! I actually prefer to do newborn sessions at home. Me coming to your home is one less thing for you to have to worry about - no need to drive to a studio, no need to buy props, and most of all - you’re in the comfort of your own home. It’s the perfect place for a newborn session!
can we take photos in my front yard or backyard?
Of course! We will discuss areas at your home that are most important to you. When indoors, mid morning around 9 or 10 is the best time for soft light, but it can be a hard time to photograph outdoors at that time, unless there are shaded areas outside of your home. If you’d like both, I will discuss with you about arriving a few minutes early to your home to find the most ideal areas outside that will photograph well so that we can get a mix of indoor and outdoor photos.
what age does my newborn have to be?
Because I’m a lifestyle family & newborn photographer, we can be more flexible when it comes to timing of scheduling the newborn session. I have photographed newborns right after birth up until about 2 months of age. So the answer is - whenever is a good time for you!
do you use props?
I don’t bring anything to my newborn sessions other than my camera, lenses, and maybe a step ladder. No props! Your home environment makes the perfect backdrop. If you have a family heirloom or outfit you’d like to photograph your baby in, we can incorporate that into your session.
what if my baby is awake?
If your baby is awake, I’ll photograph your baby alone and with family members!
what if my baby is asleep?
Same! If your baby is asleep, I’ll photograph your baby alone and with family members! If there are sibling at your family session it may be better to take these sibling shots when your new baby is asleep.
what if my baby gets hungry?
That tends to happen at newborn sessions, and guess what - I’ll still be clicking with my camera! Whether you’re nursing or bottle feeding, I love documenting these feedings based on your comfort level.
do you include other family members?
Absolutely! With this being a lifestyle session, all family members are included. I usually try to take portraits of the baby alone and with each family member. Including pets!
do you pose the baby?
I will direct you to place the baby in the best lighting and may wrap the baby in a swaddle but I don’t do much posing when it comes to my lifestyle sessions. Because I don’t use props, we won’t be putting baby in those adorable froggy poses or putting baby in a basket. Baby alone or in family’s arms are the perfect places for newborn babies at lifestyle sessions!
what is included in the session fee?
Your session fee includes your two hour session along with a digital gallery to share and save your images. I typically include galleries of over 50 images from your session.
do I need to clean my house?
No need to worry! We will only photograph rooms that have the most light - the living room, master bedroom, and nursery are usually great areas. We will be using window light so it’s a good idea to clean any clutter from things that won’t add to the story. I’ll likely ask to rearrange some items depending on the angles of the photos we take.
when should I book the session?
Because I only offer limited newborn sessions each month, please contact me at least 2-3 months before you’d like your session. I’d love to add you to my calendar!
Outdoor Newborn Photography | Maryland Newborn Photographers
We are still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and it has been really hard to be able to feel normal and safe with things that we would typically be enjoying. Most corporations are working remotely and small business are trying to find safe ways to remain open and in business for their clients. Our county in Maryland has lifted some restrictions and allowing photographers to be able to work from a safe distance, which is great and that means you can get those updated family photos you’ve been meaning to get! I’ve seen so much online about parents feeling like they aren’t able to get a newborn session scheduled, and I think that’s how it used to be because now is the perfect time to schedule your newborn session outdoors! Be sure to follow the guidelines of your county and state prior to booking your photographer!
So what exactly does an outdoor newborn session look like?
An outdoor newborn session looks really similar to you guessed it - an in home newborn session! I had a long lens that allowed me to remain at a safe distance from the family while also wearing a mask to keep everyone safe! I typically provide newborn sessions inside of the home, but due to wanting to be in a more open space, this family’s backyard in Maryland was the perfect area to photograph their family. I photographed mama, dad, and big sister last fall and was so excited when they contacted me again to document their growing family. Baby boy was 8 days new and was so snuggly and calm!
I wanted to capture portraits of the entire family as well as ones of each parent with each child and of course portraits of the newborn.
If you’ve ever had a lifestyle newborn session you know that the session is baby led. although we have poses in mind, we pretty much have to go with the flow of the baby’s needs.
This little guy was asleep at the beginning of the session so we started with family portraits and portraits of the parents with him. Big sister didn’t want to be left out and you can see how adorable those photos came out when she was noticing her baby brother’s tiny feet! We moved onto taking portraits of baby brother and he was so calm! We had to take a couple of nursing breaks for the hungry baby boy and I typically like to continue shooting during these “down” times. These are relaxed moments where I wasn’t guiding the family to pose or interact. They did it themselves! At the very end of the session we were still doing well with time and had gotten a variety of photos of all family members and we took a few photos of baby boy in sentimental clothing.
Are you interested in booking an outdoor newborn session in the DC area? Send me a message!
What Should I Wear for my Family Photo Session?
I get this question often! What should we wear for family photos? When you’re picking out what you want your family to wear for family photos I always like to suggest a few things you can do.
The first thing I will note is that I am a lifestyle family photographer so what’s most important to me is that you enjoy your session and the photos are able to show what your family connection feels like, not necessarily a photo of everyone dressed perfectly and looking at the camera.
With that being said, I do feel that there is some strategy that comes along with outfit choices.
Keep reading to see what to wear at your family photo session:
Keep these tips in mind and you can dress as dressy or casual as you’d like!
be comfortable
Dress comfortable! If you have little ones, you’ll be carrying them and moving around to play with them and I want you to be comfortable! Comfortable to you can mean a dress for you Mama, or it can simply be a cute top and jeans (or shorts!). I would suggest dressing with the season so that you’re nice and comfortable and not too hot or too cold.
start with mom’s outfit
I usually recommend starting with an outfit that Mom feels and looks great wearing. Once Mom is good to go, see if your family members have clothes with colors that compliment the colors in your outfit. For example, if you’re wearing a patterned dress, you can have your family members wear choices that bring out the colors in your dress.
coordinate, not match
Your lifestyle family session isn’t a formal - let’s all go to a studio and dress alike - everyone look the same - session. Be you!
Simply use colors that go together such as different shades of the same color or complimentary colors that are opposites on the color wheel. We aren’t going to be all wearing those white tees and matching khaki pants here. Add some more interesting clothing choices than that! I promise your photos will look much better when your outfit choices coordinate and look arranged but not matchy matchy.
stay away from large logos & “screen tees”
Unless you’re going for a specific look/theme for your photos, please stay away from wearing shirts with large logos or screen / character tees. This can sometimes date the photos and won’t look as great for the professional look of family photos. It is probably best to stick with solids and prints for your session.
add pops of color
I love love love color and it’s pretty obvious on my website and when you see my work! If you have some items in your wardrobe with a little bit of color definitely go with that! It helps to make the photo more interesting and helps to add layers and variety to the photo.
add a mix of texture & pattern
I would change things up and have one or two of your family members in a different texture or pattern than you. This can mean someone in your family wearing plaid and another member wearing something a little more simple. Think about what you already have in your wardrobe and lay out everything before your session to see how it all looks together.
I have also put together this Pinterest Board in case you need more What to Wear ideas! I hope this is helpful!
Send me a message to schedule your family session!
5 Reasons to Have your Newborn Session at Home
If I had to choose a favorite type of photography between a lifestyle newborn session and a lifestyle family session, I would have a really hard time. I love both. Both sessions include multiple family members and both use the same lifestyle approach to show the family’s connection. Most of the families that I’ve photographed have included an on-shoot location, meaning an outdoor location. We go to the park, we go to an urban location, or whatever location is meaningful to the family.
When families book a lifestyle newborn session I find it easiest to have the session at home. There are a few reasons for this and I decided to write a little bit about it.
Thinking about why having a lifestyle newborn session at home is a good idea? I’ll give you 5 reasons to have your newborn session at home!
you don’t need to leave home
Okay so first things first - I come to you and you don’t have to think about leaving home or going anywhere! I find that getting used to a new baby and new family dynamics can be a little challenging to navigate at the beginning, so why add to that? As soon as you decide you want to schedule your newborn session, contact me and we will schedule it and I just have to show up! No planning transitions, getting everyone in the car to go anywhere- I keep it easy and photograph you at home!
2. you waited 9 months to meet your baby
You have been loving your baby for many many months and the day has come and he’s here! It’s the perfect time to schedule that newborn session because you’ll want to remember all of the details and moments you had when your baby was this tiny. It was all you wanted and waited for over the last 9 months. You definitely need to hire a newborn photographer!
3. your home is the perfect backdrop
Newborn sessions allow me to be creative and use the family’s home, which I find makes a great backdrop. Most of the areas in the home that I use during newborn sessions are the nursery, master bedroom, kitchen, and living room. It really all depends on light. I have quite a few photos of me when I was a baby but I can only think of a few where I was a newborn. I don’t know that many of the photos really had a lot of detail about what my bedroom or home looked like. I am honored when families let me into their home for these special newborn sessions. I start off by noticing the light in all of the bedrooms and using color, textures, and angles to add to the photo when I photograph you.
4. your baby is only this little once
Babies grow so fast, especially when they are newborns and I strive to photograph those little moments and body parts that soon you may forget. Those baby hands, toes, and the way they curl their body are all things I want to photograph during your lifestyle newborn session. I pretty much let the baby guide our session, when he’s sleeping we cuddle and photograph him. When he wants to be held, we get those photos when he needs to be soothed. I love using hands to tell the perspective and show the size of baby.
5. you need to be in the photos - for your children
If you leave keeping one of these things in mind about why to schedule a lifestyle newborn session (whether in your home or on location) PLEASE do it for your children. My mom looks back on photos of herself when I was a baby and cringes at her perm, but guess what - I get to see how beautiful she was when she rocked the curly big hair. My dad actually was a hobbyist photographer and I definitely got this interest from him and am glad to carry it on.
Your children will thank you for it.
Never mind that you think you need to lose a few pounds or you don’t feel pretty after having your baby. I will focus on capturing connection and you, your baby, and your family in a way that you will love and cherish.
So thankful you’re here!
my style of photography
How I define my Style of Photography | washington dc family photography
I think it’s really important to show photos of my work that I’m most proud of. I want the photographs to focus on things I look for when I am composing the photo. When you look through the photos on my website in the family, newborn, fresh 48, and maternity galleries, you will notice that the photos will usually have something in common. Whether that is composition, lighting, editing style, proximity, or touch, I am proud to have those elements in my work.
I am writing this blog post to share how I define my style of photography.
bright
I love photos that are edited bright rather than dark and moody. I want you to have a photo of yourself in the way that I photographed it, in lighting that was similar to when I photographed you.
Joyful
I have photographed several families and I always want to take some time at your session to document playful moments. Those can be when the kids are up high on dad’s shoulders, or when the siblings are competing in a race. I want you to have photos to help you remember the joyful, happy moments not only from your session but the joyful moments of your family.
colorful
if I see colorful home décor when I’m in your home, I will most likely ask to photograph that space. I shoot most of my photos with natural light but I always take a speedlight flash with me in the event that I want to bring out the colorful space in your home. Think of fun art, bedsheets, nursery walls, and playrooms. I love using all of those colorful home spaces during your in home session!
connected
I will usually tell your family to squeeze in tight and remain close together. There’s something about connection in photos that really helps to show the family dynamic. I love making sure everyone feels comfortable with one another and connected.
candid
I will pose some family interaction to get your family engaging and will get you to sing a song or just hold your baby tight. The result of some of this prompting is candid. The prompt and the moment may have been created at the session, and it is my job to make sure you have those laid back, candid and personal moments that are special to your family.
Are you interested in booking a family session? Send me a message and let’s get your session scheduled!
Differences between posed newborn and lifestyle newborn sessions | DC Family Photographers
I’m always looking for ways to share images from my Washington, D.C. area and Atlanta area family and newborn sessions, and I realized I hadn’t written a blog post about this sweet in home lifestyle newborn session yet!
I met this family as they welcomed their second child, and it felt like the perfect time to share a little bit about our session together, by including not only photos from their session but to also share some of the differences between the two main types of newborn photography that you have probably heard of - traditional posed newborn sessions and lifestyle newborn sessions.
Big sister was so helpful and wanted to be involved in every part of the session. She played with mom and dad, proudly showed off her big sister book, and it was so adorable to watch how excited she was about helping with her baby brother! They’re only a couple of years apart, and I loved getting to spend time documenting this new season for their family and seeing big sister take on her new role!
The family reached out about scheduling a newborn session, and I loved that we planned to photograph them right in the comfort of their own home.
Having your session at home allows me to capture the natural elements of your space while creating a relaxed and laid-back experience. It also makes it much easier for families to settle in and simply focus on being together.
This session is a beautiful example of what a lifestyle newborn session can feel like. These sessions are calm, connected, and centered around real moments.
Families often ask how this type of session compares to a more traditional posed newborn session, so I wanted to share a little more about the differences.
How do you know if you want a posed newborn session or lifestyle newborn session?
There are two main types of newborn photography in the Washington, D.C. area: posed newborn sessions and lifestyle newborn sessions. Both create beautiful images, they just have different style and they focus on different details. Keep reading below about the differences between posed newborn photography and lifestyle newborn photography.
What Is a Posed Newborn Session?
Posed newborn sessions are perfect if you love those classic images of babies in the sweet, curled-up positions, typically sleeping and carefully posed.
These sessions are usually scheduled when your baby is very young and extra sleepy, which helps make the posing easier.
Posed sessions tend to focus primarily on the baby and often include:
• Swaddles or newborn outfits
• Styled poses
• Backdrops or props
• A studio setting (or sometimes in-home setups with equipment)
Because of the level of detail involved, these sessions can take several hours to allow time for soothing, feeding, and carefully positioning the baby to get those beautiful, artistic portraits.
What Is a Lifestyle Newborn Session?
Lifestyle newborn sessions typically include both the newborn and family members, focusing on connection and natural interactions.
These sessions take place right in your home, so you don’t have to worry about packing everything up or traveling to a studio during those first few weeks where you’re still figuring out routines, schedules, and naps.
One of the reasons I’ve always gravitated toward lifestyle newborn photography is that everyone can participate, and we can follow your baby’s lead and their wants and needs. Your baby can be awake or asleep, and if they need to eat or be comforted, we take a break.
I usually continue photographing during those in-between moments because those are the moments that might feel insignificant but they are part of your story and you’ll want these photos to look back on.
Lifestyle sessions offer a beautiful peek into real family life - the feedings, diaper changes, and snuggles.
We follow baby’s lead and focus on moments of connection rather than perfect poses.
Related blog posts:
Why Many Families Choose Lifestyle Newborn Photography
Lifestyle sessions are also much more flexible when it comes to timing. Unlike posed sessions, which usually happen within the first couple of weeks, lifestyle sessions can take place several weeks after birth. I’ve photographed newborns even at one to 2 months old!
Because I offer all-inclusive sessions, families receive all of the images that help tell the full story of this time, and they don’t need to worry about choosing only a small handful of favorites.
My hope is always that you’ll love far more than just ten images!
Thinking About Booking a Washington, D.C. Newborn Session?
If you’re drawn to relaxed, natural images that capture your family’s connection and the real moments of bringing your baby home, a lifestyle newborn session may be the perfect fit.
I’d love to chat with you and help you plan a session that feels calm, meaningful, and true to your family.