My style of photography lends itself beautifully to cosy sessions in your own home. An in-home newborn session with me are a blend of documentary-style photos, smile-to-camera portraits and close-ups of your newest family member. Having a stranger come to your home when you’re in the depths of postpartum can be daunting! Which is why I take a relaxed approach – there’s zero pressure on you (or your baby) to perform. I’m just here to capture you in this moment, exactly as you are.
What is documentary-style photography?
These images are a glimpse into your life as a family at home. This could include daily rituals like your partner making coffee while you feed the baby, or watching on as your older child plays with their favourite toys. These images can be quite dependant on what your home has to offer. Many homes I have visited over the years have limited space and lighting – which is totally fine! I work with what I’ve got, and if we’re limited to one space we will lean into more traditional, cuddly portraits.
What age should my baby be?
1-2 weeks old is the best age to capture the tiniest, sleepiest, most curled up stage. I find that newborns under 2 weeks old haven’t quite woken up to the world yet – if they’re fed they’ll probably just sleep through the whole shoot! But honestly, any age is beautiful! Older newborns (5+ weeks) might be a little more grizzly or have some baby acne.
What happens if my baby doesn’t settle?
I’ve never done a newborn shoot where a baby doesn’t settle at all. Even if we only get a 10 minute window of calm before they need feeding again – that’s what I work with! It’s amazing what I can capture in a short amount of time! Obviously an unsettled baby isn’t ideal, but it’s not the end of the world. It’s not going to ruin your photos. Do what you can to prepare – a fresh nappy, warm clothes and a full belly. Let’s go from there!
What do I need to prepare for my in-home newborn session?
- Prepare yourself. Take a look at my style guide for outfit inspiration. Since you or your partner may have just given birth, wear whatever you feel most comfortable in!
- Prepare your baby. A simple outfit with some warm blankets to hand. I’ll also bring a few onesies and knitted blankets in case you don’t have any.
- Prepare your home. Don’t go crazy with the cleaning and tidying! Identify the best areas in your home that you think we could use for photos (look for natural light – where does the sun stream in?). Just tidy those corners. It’s up to you how you want your home to look in your photos. Do you want to remember the normalcy of everyday life? Then leave out the bottles and kids toys! Or if you want a more polished look, go ham with the tidying.
What do you photograph during a newborn photoshoot?
I’ll start by photographing the whole family unit to get the ‘smiley’ photos done and out of the way first. Picture the photos that the grandparents will want to print and frame. This is important to do first if you have older children as they may lose interest quickly! We’ll get cuddly photos with each parent before moving around the home to whatever rooms you have available. Throughout the shoot I will gently guide you with posing (I’m not expecting you to be models!). I’ll then take some close-ups of your baby on a bed.
Can siblings be involved?
Of course!!! And this is where leaning into documentary-style photos really comes into play. It’s hard to get a toddler or child to sit still and ‘say cheese’ for photos. Instead of forcing it, I like to let kids shine in their natural habitat. And if they want to give their baby brother or sister a cuddle – great! You could make a babycino, play with lego or blocks, read a book all together, run around under the hose or make a snack in the kitchen. All of these things we can incorporate into your newborn session.
Why I would choose in-home newborn session.
I love travelling all over Melbourne for in-home newborn photoshoots. Capturing families in their own home conveys a real intimacy that can sometimes be lost in formal studio settings. I’ve photographed over 100 newborns and each session is SO unique because every home and every family is different. That’s why I love it!
If you’re pregnant, be sure to reach out or submit an enquiry to get your newborn shoot locked in.
