As a Spokane Newborn Photographer, I absolutely love helping busy mamas get beautiful and timeless photos done in lifestyle newborn photography sessions. I have noticed over time that a huge barrier to booking photo sessions is the stress and business that comes with being an expecting mama, and planning for a newborn baby. As much as moms want and need photos, their lives are filled with other tasks that end up taking priority. This is why, it is one of my biggest goals to help make lifestyle newborn photography sessions as stress-free and effortless as possible. In this blog, I’m sharing planning tips for lifestyle newborn photography sessions to help you in the planning process, so all you have to worry about is showing up and enjoying the moment! These tips are catered to those that work with me as their photographer, and reflect the TWP experience!

Here’s what we will cover in this post:

• TIP #1: Process of choosing your session date
• TIP #2: Selecting a location that feels like you
• TIP #3: Preparing your home for an in-home session
• TIP #4: Planning outfits for you and your family
• TIP #5: Preparing for your session

TIP #1: Process of choosing your session date

Selecting a date for your newborn photography session is an especially important factor in a smooth session with beautiful photos of your newborn and here’s why. As much as we don’t want to believe or accept it, babies grow up so fast!! Faster than we can process sometimes! Those first few weeks of a baby’s life are the sleepiest, curliest, and cuddliest weeks of their infant lives, and is the prime time for newborn photos. Booking your session within 7-20 days from your baby’s birth is your best chance for those cute cuddly baby photos for your lifestyle newborn session. Plus, those moments are so fleeting, we want to freeze that time forever!

For sessions booked with me, session dates aren’t selected until your baby is born. I take a limited number of newborn sessions per month to make sure all sessions can be scheduled within the optimal window of time. Upon booking, I’ll have your due date in my calendar, and once baby is born, we will select a date for your session. 

 

TIP #2: Selecting a location that feels like you

One of my biggest desires as a photographer is to create artwork that truly represents and documents time and personality well. I want every part of your session to feel and look like you and the life stage that you are in, so that when you flip through your album in 10 years, you are transported back to the exact memory caught in the photo. The location of your session is an important component in your photos – you want to choose a location that also represents the chapter of your life you are in. 

Start thinking about your current life, and what you want to remember from it. Think about what you like to do for fun with your family, and areas you like to visit. Think about your personality and your surroundings. Do you see trees, greenery, water? Or perhaps you see your home, a room, or the city. Communicate these to your photographer, or if you booked a session with me, take a look at the location guide and notice your excitement levels and emotions when you imagine yourself in each location on the guide.

 

TIP #3: Preparing your home for an in-home session

Having newborn sessions in the comfort of your own home is a wonderful choice, as you have been making space in your home for the newest member of your family for months! Not only has this space been designed with your family in mind, but it is often where you feel the most comfortable – that will show in your photos! Some of the best newborn photos I’ve taken were in their nursery, recliners, couches, cribs, and beds. 

If you’ve chosen to have your session in your home, don’t panic about cleaning, prepping, or designing! When you book a session with me, I will graciously come to your home, find the best lighting and rooms, and help you set the area up for photos. You have enough to worry about, so let me!

 

TIP #4: Planning outfits for you and your family

Picking outfits for your family is not always an easy task, which is why this year I have put together an entire closet of hand-selected dresses that look flattering on postpartum bodies. These dresses have been curated with you in mind, and can be borrowed at no additional cost for TWP clients! View my client closet here. Also keep in mind that for lifestyle newborn photography sessions with me, I’ll also provide beautiful bows and a white wrap for your newborn. Before the start of your session, I will wrap baby up in the elegant white swaddle wrap, which goes with any color palette you select. If you want baby also photographed in an outfit you have, feel free to choose that out also!

My recommendation for choosing outfits for the rest of the family is to first select your (mom’s) dress, and a color that brings out your best features. Then, I would select a color palette based on your dress, with solid colors and light patterns. Stay away from bright colors and harsh patterns, as they draw attention away from your faces, and can look distorted in photos. After choosing your dress, I’d look next for outfits for your kids, then your spouse. 

 

TIP #5: Preparing for your session

Now that all the details of your session have been planned out, all that’s left is actually doing your session! For newborn sessions, I recommend that in the hour before I show up, you cuddle your baby as much as possible, change their diaper, and feed your baby. This way, they are happy, warm, and loved. Have on a onesie or blanket that is easy to remove, as I will wrap baby with a white swaddle at the start of your session. 

With your newborn photographer’s help, planning your session should be easy and stress-free. All I want you to think about is having an amazing time soaking in the fleeting moments while you have a sleepy, cuddly newborn. My mission is that you don’t worry about a single detail of your session, nor do I want any step of the planning process to be a hurdle to getting these beautiful photos done of this special time!

If you’re looking to book a stress-free family photo session with a Spokane newborn photographer, I would love to work with you to document your family through a storytelling lens and help you preserve this chapter in your lives. Contact me by filling out this form. I look forward to meeting you!

 

View more tips and featured sessions:

5 Tips to Prepare for Your Family Photography Session

Chewning Maternity & Family Session