Nervous about how your newborn baby will do at your at-home newborn photoshoot? Leave the magic to me! I love doing lifestyle family newborn shoots here in the Pinehurst and Southern Pines area and I swear by these 5 tips to make your shoot a big success.
1.Pick your wardrobe wisely.
1. For mom: Neutral colors. You may want a camisole for skin on skin but if you are not ready for one yet short sleeve is totally fine. Anything white, grey, beige etc photographs beautiful against your babies skin. Feel free to pull a few things out of your closet for me to peek at, as I am happy to be your stylist!. Chiffon is beautiful, maxi dresses work great as well as anything you feel good in. Try to avoid tight clothing besides camisoles.
2. For dad: Jeans and t shirts as well as button downs. Make sure to be able to roll the sleeves and leave untucked. V-neck sweaters look great over button ups as well in the winter time. Be yourself but please try to avoid khaki pants :)
3. For baby: Nothing besides a white onesie and anything that is important to you that you would like photographed (Is there a special quilt or heirloom?). I have swaddles but if you have any you love please have them out. Same for blankets.
2.Aim to shoot in the mid-morning time frame.
Babies are typically most pleasant in the morning as are younger kids! The added advantage of shooting in the 10am time frame is the gorgeous morning light that most often streams in during those mid-morning hours. With lifestyle I want to see your life! Kids toys, etc., just try to sort of put them in places so it does not look TOO messy. Count on me moving furniture so we can get shots with the best light. I may also move clocks off next the the bed for example. Anything that would distract from the shot. I do shoot a lot in parents bedrooms, so just be mindful of that before I arrive.
3.Bump up that thermostat!
About an hour before the session is to start, I ask that you bump up the heat in your house. This will provide a warm and cozy environment for baby to remain sleepy during the shoot but also stay warm if we remove their outfit during the shoot for a few photographs. Please make sure to turn off the air or turn up the heat. We will be warm but the baby will not. They can not regulate their internal temperature yet so need it warmer as they will be mostly non clothed.
4.Pick a room with great light and declutter.
The great news about lifestyle family photography is we can do it in the comfort of your own home! No worrying about rushing out the door and getting everyone ready! The only trick is finding the best room in your house with great light (I can help!). After that, all I ask is that you declutter that space. Remove all the "extra baby stuff" from the nightstands or coffee table and strip the room down to the very basics and have clean bedding if its a bedroom as we will take some photographs on the bed with baby! With lifestyle I want to see your life. Kids toys, etc., just try to sort of put them in places so it does not look TOO messy :) Count on me moving furniture so we can get shots with the best light. I may also move clocks off next the the bed, etc. Anything that would distract from the shot. I do shoot a lot in parents bedrooms, so just be mindful of that before I arrive.
5.Feed Baby at the beginning of the session.
Baby will be happiest when fed, so its a great idea to top off the baby with nursing or a bottle as I arrive. This will keep baby content the longest and may help them stay sleepy and cuddly for the shoot. The same rule applies for older siblings too-everyone is happier and ready to smile after a few snacks, I anticipate that we will be breaking for baby to eat while I am there and that is not a worry! I may use the break to take some snaps of the details in the nursery or capture dad and siblings playing!
