At-Home Newborn Photos in Pittsburgh – Top 5 Reasons to Consider Staying Home for Your Newborn Photo Session

Why should you hire a photographer to come to your Pittsburgh area home for your newborn photos?

Top 5 reasons to consider an in-home newborn photo session:
(vs. going to a studio)

Reason #1: You get to stay comfortably at home! 

In my own experience, the thought of leaving the house with a brand new baby (and possibly with a toddler and other kids in tow) brought on thoughts of panic and stress.

It’s VERY convenient to have a photographer come to you!

You don’t have to worry about packing a diaper bag with ALL the things.

No worries about a screaming newborn or toddler in the car.

No stressing about arriving on time. 

No concerns about when and where you’ll breastfeed or prepare a bottle or change a diaper. 

In any situation that arises, you’ll be home to take care of it.

And I think we can all agree that these days, we’re all pretty fond of staying home. 

Storytime!   When I was a baby, my Mom got me and my brother all dressed up to take us to a studio for photos.  When she arrived and took me out of my car seat, she discovered I had a MAJOR blowout!   Poo all the way up my back and all over my ruffled dress.  She had to go to the store and buy me another outfit (with a screaming baby me and my grumpy toddler brother)  She can laugh about that story now, but I know it was such a stressful event for her and one she’ll never forget. 

Let’s make good memories, stay home, and let me come to YOU! 

Reason #2: There’s no need to book your session before baby is 10 days old!  

Most studio photographers that shoot posed newborn photography, really want to photograph your baby within their 1st 2 weeks, or even sooner!  (I totally understand that this is best for posed newborn photography)

However, with a lifestyle newborn session at your home, I’m ok with your baby being two weeks or two+ months old!   Since I like to keep it natural and I don’t put baby in fancy poses, it’s more than ok to wait until baby is older! 

I think the most important part of this is that it gives Mom time to recover from labor and birth (especially with a cesarean birth) and more time to adjust to life with a newborn.

Waiting longer also gives siblings more time to adjust to the new baby and they’ll be more comfortable around the new baby.

I’ve had so many clients admit to me that they were so glad that I was flexible on waiting because they just could never imagine having their session within the first two weeks after they had their baby.  

The first couple of weeks with a new baby is usually a very overwhelming time for parents, especially first time parents.  

I encourage all of my parents to wait until they feel ready to schedule their newborn photo session. I LOVE to photograph babies of all ages! 

Reason #3: A lifestyle in-home newborn session is more flexible, easy and stress free!

The last thing I want to do is create more stress for a new Mom!   A new Mom that is stressed usually has a baby that is stressed. When you choose to have this kind of photo session in your home there is little that mom has to worry about.   

I know you’re thinking, but won’t I have to deep clean and declutter my entire house?! Nope! I tell my clients to pick their favorite room they usually hang out in (one with good natural light) then take any clutter and throw it in a laundry room or dining room.

Don’t worry about dishes in the sink or a messy bathroom, I don’t judge and we’re not taking photos in those rooms! I don’t require my clients to do anything special to prepare for the session and because I do not do the fancy poses, there are no worries over having your baby “cooperate” for the session. 

If baby is fussy, that is ok, we will let Mom and Dad comfort him.  If baby is wide awake for two hours, no problem, I prefer awake photos!

I also do not put a strict time constraint on my sessions so there’s no need to rush or worry about getting all the photos in x amount of time.

Reason #4: Your home is the perfect location with a unique “backdrop” and the best personal “props” (your very own blankies, swaddles, onesies, etc.) 

I love getting photos in the nursery! (But it’s totally ok if you don’t have a nursery set up!) 

Many parents work for months to design the perfect space for the baby they are expecting!   

So much time and thought go into choosing the best wall colors, crib, and decor and I want to capture that for you!  

Imagine pictures of your baby sleeping in their crib or cradle or photos of your whole family cuddling on the couch or on your bed or wherever you spend the majority of your time.  

I’ll be able to capture not only the nursery that you worked so hard on, but other elements of the house that you have created into a home!  

A photo session that takes place in your home is authentic and the images will be so special and unique to your family!

Reason #5: We can include your whole family!   

My lifestyle newborn sessions always include the parents but I also love to include:

-Siblings

-Grandparents

-And yes, even your fur babies!   

When I come to your home for a photo session, I’m there to capture your unique family and tell your unique story. 

The story would be incomplete without including everyone in the photos! 

Bonus reason:

Depending on the weather, we can get a photo out in front of your house! This is an image that will always be treasured, especially if you ever move you will have a photo to show your baby at their very first home!

I hope this post helped you decide why you should consider staying home for a newborn photo session and why you should hire a photographer to come to your Pittsburgh area home for your newborn photos!

If you’re looking for a newborn photographer in the greater Pittsburgh or Youngstown, Ohio areas,  
please get in touch to inquire about a session!  

Here are some other posts that you might want to check out!

Are you on Instagram? I’d love to connect with you there!

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 of 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!