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!

1. 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!

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:

• 5 Reasons to Have your Newborn Session at Home

• How I define my Style of Photography

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.

{adalyn brooke} | one day new | atlanta fresh 48 photographer

Mom and Dad reached out to me when they were a little over 20 weeks pregnant and knew they wanted a Fresh 48 Session. A Fresh 48 Session takes place anytime from birth to 48 hours. Typically these sessions take place in the hospital but can also take place at home, after a home birth. I was so excited about this session, Mom and I chatted a little bit about to expect during this session and how to document the natural moments of the time short after a new baby being welcomed into the world.

During this Fresh 48 session I really enjoyed getting to know Mom and Dad. They are first time parents and we talked a little bit about the pregnancy, cravings, and how things had been waiting for their beautiful baby girl! How healthy that Mom craved fruit during her pregnancy, which is not bad at all! We had a fun conversation about Chik-fil-a and I immediately hit it off with them when I realized we are all obsessed with their Cookies and Cream milkshakes. I mean really, why make another flavor? 

Adalyn was born at 8 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches long. Although she will probably be tall, it was fun to try her into her new clothes and hats that were actually a little too big for her during this session. She's just so fresh and new! Adalyn is such a sweet baby girl, with a great temperament! We would put her down to briefly change her, and she showed that she trusted us and she loved the camera so I had to get some photos of her with her eyes open! Adalyn was born with cleft palate and she is as beautiful as can be. Mom expressed to me how much she loved this session and I am so glad they will treasure these images of their sweet girl. 

Adalyn was such a natural model and worked the camera! How sweet that I was able to get some images of her with her beautiful eyes open, which can sometimes be hard to do during newborn sessions! After a couple of minutes of course when she realized she was cold, she didn't hesitate to let us know how she felt and let out that adorable, high pitched cry that was just the sweetest thing.  

I had so much fun during this session and I hope Mom and Dad enjoy these images as much as I did! If you are expecting a new little bundle of joy and are interested in a fresh 48 or lifestyle newborn session, I'd love to meet you! You can fill out a couple of questions on my contact page and we will chat! 

{yowler family} | two weeks new | atlanta newborn photography

I love meeting new families and learning about what makes their family special. Mom is a photographer and I am always excited to photograph another photographer because they get to actually be in the photos with their family! This was an in home lifestyle newborn session so the focus was capturing the newborn in her natural environment. The home makes the perfect backdrop for lifestyle newborn photos! 

I loved how natural the family was and baby girl got all the love! How cute is her older brother being so loving and giving her all of the kisses! 

I always like to spend time with not only the family for photos of the newborn and the family, but also the little things like the sibling playing with blocks in his room. Mom and I chatted for a while and just let him do his thing. If you're interested in a lifestyle family session, head on over to say hello and we can chat about booking a session!