One of the best things about a newborn session with me is how easy and stress-free I make it! The last thing new parents should worry about is the photo session.
As a mom of three, I completely understand that those first few weeks with a new baby at home are far from easy. Sure, there are sweet moments, but I also know the reality! You and your partner are tag-teaming through diaper changes, swaddling, feeding, burping, and pacing the floors with a fussy baby.
You’re running on two-hour stretches of sleep (if you’re lucky!), need a long, hot shower, and probably don’t feel like yourselves. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I totally get it!
Here are some tips for preparing for your in-home newborn photo session!
What to wear:
Parents:
My top tip is to dress comfortably—just like you do every day! Be yourselves, there’s no need to wear your “Sunday best.” I want your photos to represent you! Not some family you would see on Pinterest!
Feel free to wear colors (I love colors!), whether in prints or solids. I only ask that you avoid bright, bold colors like neon green, red, or orange, and steer clear of patterns that are overly bold or distracting.
I also suggest you and your partner wear different-colored shirts to add variety. And if you’d like to switch outfits during the session, go for it!
If you are stressing about what to wear, lay a few things out and I can help you choose when I get there!
Baby:
I love to keep it simple for baby— a basic onesie or sleeper works best. Pick out a couple of options for the session, but try to avoid sleepers with zippers up the front, as they tend to bunch up around baby’s face.
While you can choose a comfortable little cotton outfit with pants and a shirt, I recommend steering clear of dresses, jeans, overalls, or bulky sweaters. These tend to be ill-fitting on newborns, and they can get lost in the outfit.
Feel free to select a few of your favorite blankets or swaddles for me to use. I’ll also bring along a few muslin blankets, but I love incorporating the items that are special to you.
When you look back at these photos 20 years from now, I want you to remember how much you loved that gray sleeper with elephants, the muslin wrap with giraffes from your baby shower, or the blanket your mother knit while you were pregnant.
I’m also happy to include hats in some photos, especially if you have a simple knot hat like the one in the image above that matches a sleeper.
I am not a huge fan of headbands on babies, but I’m happy to use them in some of the photos. Please try to avoid any that are too big and take attention away from your baby’s sweet little face.
What about my house?
You’ve just had a baby, so a bit of a mess is completely normal—and totally expected! I understand if there are baby items scattered around, coffee mugs on the tables, or a few laundry baskets on the floor. That’s real life, and it’s all okay.
When I arrive, I’ll be looking for the best light. I typically photograph families in spaces like the living room, nursery, or bedroom—wherever the natural light is best. However, we don’t need to use all three; even one room with great light is enough.
When I get to your home, feel free to let me know which room you have in mind, and I’ll take a quick look around so we can decide together which area will work best for the session.
Depending on the weather, we can also step outside for a few photos!
Please, don’t feel like you need to clean for me or the session. If your mom or best friend happens to stop by, sure, you can put them to work tidying up or doing a quick clean—but don’t stress about it! A deep clean is absolutely not necessary.
I won’t judge a sink full of dishes or a cluttered bathroom. If you follow my work, you know I embrace the beauty of real life. Honestly, if you popped by my house on any given day, you’d probably find dishes in the sink and a messy bathroom, too!
So, aside from dressing yourself and the baby, and maybe stashing some laundry, there’s nothing else you need to do to get ready for our session. Really, I promise!
Do not feel rushed.
While most sessions last around two hours, there’s no strict time limit. If your baby is extra fussy, needs to eat multiple times, or even has a blowout, we’ll take all the time necessary to keep them comfortable and happy.
And don’t worry—I love capturing those “in-between” moments, too. Diaper changes, feedings, rocking, and cuddling often turn out to be some of my favorite images from a newborn session. These little moments are just as special.
Say no to cheese.
Seriously—there’s no need to look at the camera and smile. Just focus on your baby. Most adults don’t feel comfortable being photographed, so I always tell my clients: don’t worry about me. You’ll feel so much more at ease when you simply interact with your little one.
Once you’re relaxed and in the moment, I’ll grab a few shots of you smiling at the camera—because we all know Grandma will love those!
I want to include the siblings!
All of my newborn sessions incorporate the whole family. So yes, of course the siblings will be included! But please do not stress about how your toddler will behave for the photo session. No need to worry, I had three toddlers and this is usually how they tend to behave!
And I have a lot of experience photographing toddlers with newborns. Even if big brother or big sister has no interest in cuddling with or holding their new sibling, it’s totally ok. I will still capture images of your whole family hanging out together. You can read more about toddlers and newborns in this blog post!
Yes, even your fur baby!
Absolutely—pets are part of the family, too! If your dog or cat is comfortable and relaxed around the baby, I’d love to include them in your session.
When I arrive, feel free to let your pet greet me first. They can give me and my things a good sniff to get used to my presence, and I’m totally fine with that—I’m both a dog and cat person and always happy to receive puppy kisses!
Getting baby ready
Don’t stress about trying to perfectly time your baby’s feeding with the start of our session. If your little one needs to eat right after I arrive, that’s totally fine! And if you’re in the middle of feeding when I get there, no worries—take your time and finish when you’re both ready. There’s no need to feed baby right before the session. We’ll go with the flow!
You can have baby ready and dressed in your 1st sleeper/onesie of choice for when I arrive at your session. But, if baby is in just a diaper when I arrive, that is also ok!
So, just relax, I’m a professional that has photographed hundreds of families in the last decade. I assure you that our session will go smoothly and it will even be kind of fun.
Think of it as an afternoon just hanging out with your family and relaxing, and a photographer just happens to be there taking pictures. And I promise you that you will treasure those pictures for your lifetime.
Have a look at my newborn gallery to get an idea of what your session will be like!
Have more questions? Concerns?
Please get in touch to ask me anything!
Are you on Instagram? I’d love to connect with you there!
If you have not already booked and you are interested in a newborn or family session in 2022 please do not wait to get in touch. I know life gets busy and these things tend to slip to the bottom of the to-do list, but it’s time to make it a priority! Please get in touch before my schedule is filled up! I only accept a limited number of clients each month, so once my schedule is filled, it is filled. I can’t wait to hear from you and to plan a unique session for your family!
~All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography ~
Mary Beth Miller Photography specializes in lifestyle and documentary family, newborn and Fresh 48 photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and many of the surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over ten years experience photographing families, newborns and babies in the Regent Square, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Greentree, Point Breeze and Highland Park. Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family!
