In Home Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session FAQ's
Our babies grow so much each and every day after they are born, and scheduling a newborn photography session is a great way to ensure you are capturing those sweet new baby moments before they fly by. I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions covering everything that you need to know about booking and preparing for your at home lifestyle newborn photography session with Rebecca Hunnicutt Photography.
Updated April 1, 2024
When is the best time for our at home newborn session?
I generally recommend that parents schedule their newborn photos when the baby is between one and two weeks old. However, because of my un-posed, lifestyle approach to photography, I can photograph a “newborn” session well beyond that two-week mark. It’s all about having the session when you feel up for it and want to document those fresh newborn moments.
If your wish is to get tons of sleepy baby images, the one-to-two-week mark is generally better. However, if you’re happy to receive images of a wide-eyed baby, you can certainly schedule a shoot more around the 2-3 month mark if needed. I do recommend we get the photos done before/after baby acne occurs if possible.
Expectant parents should reach out to ‘book’ their session during their pregnancy so I can pencil in your due date on my schedule. Then, when baby is born you contact me and we’ll finalize the exact date and time for your session. Overall the process should be super simple and you can relax knowing you’ve found a great newborn photographer to document your first few weeks at home as a family.
What do I need to do to prepare my home for the photo session?
That’s one of the most common questions that my clients ask me, and the answer is NOTHING! Isn’t that amazing? I will come to your house and I will scope out the rooms with the best light. Typically I take photos in the nursery and parent’s bedroom, but will use the best window light available for portraits regardless of room location. I may move a few things around to ensure I get the best shot possible, but that is nothing that my clients need to worry about. Your home is perfect just as it is. And, I have the availability to use a flash or lighting as well, so there’s really no need for you to worry about if your home has enough light for photos.
What should we wear for our newborn photos?
I always suggest that mom picks her outfit first, and then finds complementing choices for the remainder of the family. It is so important that mom feels good about herself and the outfit she's chosen. Simple leggings or jeans and a neutral top work just fine. There are also lots of comfortable dresses out there as well that are perfect for newborn photos. Jeans and a neutral shirt is perfect for dad. Definitely avoid clothes with words or logos on them as they will draw attention away from baby.
*The exception to this is a ‘big sibling’ shirt that is fun to incorporate into your photos if you have a special shirt.
Here’s a more detailed guide about what to wear for your newborn photography session.
For baby, a plain white onesie, maybe with a cute pair of pants and a simple little bow is perfect. The key is we want the clothes to not be the main focal point of the image, or to be loose and hiding your sweet newborn.
I suggest selecting mainly neutral colors for clothes for in-home newborn sessions. Think cream, beige, off-white, and grey.
Here’s a more detailed guide on what your newborn needs to wear for their photo session.
How long will the session last?
I don't set a time limit to my lifestyle newborn sessions; however, they generally take between 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Newborn babies need breaks for eating, diaper changes, etc., and I factor that into my schedule. If I am taking photos of a newborn, it will be the only newborn session on my calendar for the entire day. That way, no one will feel rushed and we will take all the time we need to ensure I get enough photographs to deliver a beautiful and diverse gallery.
And, if that sounds like a long time to you…rest assured that generally my newborn sessions last around 60-90 minutes. I just want you to factor in a bit more time in your day just to ensure you do not feel rushed.
What types of images can I expect to see in the photo gallery?
There are many reasons why I love lifestyle newborn photography, but one of my favorite things about this approach with newborns is that the final galleries tend to be extremely full and diverse! Every session is different; however, here are a few of the types of photos that are frequently delivered in a newborn gallery.
Lifestyle galleries always include images of mom and the newborn, dad and the baby, newborn with parents, and of course the new baby alone.
If there is a big brother and/or big sister in the family, of course we will capture the siblings together as well.
Oh, and if you have a fur child, I'm always happy to incorporate them too!
I will document the baby's nursery that parents always work so hard on! I'm also going to document all the details that won't last long but want to forget -- like how their small hands fit perfectly around your finger and their flaky newborn baby skin.
A common theme with a lifestyle approach is that the images are not posed. I will guide you into beautiful light and simply capture the moments as they are happening. All newborn galleries include both color and monochrome versions of the final selected images.
Will I still get posed photos of the baby?
At all of my newborn sessions I utilize ‘baby led posing’ which means I follow the lead of the newborn and their needs. I do not bring props or posing pillows to my sessions; however, I always take photos of the new baby alone in his/her natural atmosphere.
So while you will not receive any images of your baby in a bucket, you will receive plenty of frame-worthy baby led images of your newborn looking like the sweet baby he/she is. Some infants are comfortable lying alone for photos in their crib or on the parents bed. Some babies need to be held for the whole session, and that’s ok too! That’s what newborn baby led posing is!
If you have a special blanket or rug those are easy to incorporate into photos too and make a great meaningful backdrop.
Do I need to wear extra makeup for photos?
I recommend that clients apply makeup in their usual style. No additional makeup is needed for these natural light lifestyle portraits, but I would always encourage Moms to wear their usual makeup as it will help to accentuate their eyes in the photos. If doing your makeup sounds stressful, I have a great makeup artist who I frequently work with that specializes in natural makeup and can make preparing for your photos a breeze. Just let me know and I’ll share her contact info.
The inclusion of hands and feet can create especially interesting photos. Please be aware that imperfect nail polish can lessen the effect and distract from the connection and sweet moments of newborn photos.
Do you bring props to the session?
I don't bring props to my newborn sessions, but I do love to incorporate a favorite blanket, family heirloom quilt, or child's favorite toy/stuffed animal in telling your families story. If there is something that you want included in a photo, or an activity that your family/older sibling loves please just let me know and we can discuss how to include it in your session. This is a great way to add an extra touch to your photos.
More Resources Regarding Lifestyle Newborn Photography:
What is Lifestyle Newborn Photography?
How To Prepare For Your In Home Newborn Session
Are you thinking of booking your newborn photo session? please visit my services pages For additional details about maternity photo sessions and newborn photo sessions.
I look forward to speaking with you about your pregnancy and planning your maternity and newborn photo sessions. You can easily reach me by completing my contact form or emailing me directly at rebecca@hunnicuttphotogrpahy.com.
I can’t wait to meet your new bundle of joy!
Additional Newborn Posts On The Blog….
