6 Important Tips for Your Best Lifestyle Newborn Session
One of the coolest things that I have been able to witness during my photography career is the evolution of how baby portraits are portrayed and captured. I have watched it evolve from a beautiful posed newborn session, into an artistic, authentic, and meaningful experience that captures the love between the family and their newborn. I love how every single newborn shoot is different from the next, because each family is special and each home is unique.
So here I am trying to help you decide if lifestyle newborn photography is the best type of newborn session for you, your family and your baby. I want to empathize that lifestyle photography is more than just a trend, but an experience with the product of artistically captured moments of the love you share. I always appreciate when families bring their unique culture, faith, and traditions and incorporate them into the session. When you are comfortable and free to be yourself, I believe the best photos are taken!
Here are my six best tips to your best lifestyle newborn session. ❤️ -Laura, Pittsburgh newborn lifestyle photographer
1. Family-Centered
I am both an experienced newborn and family photographer. Therefore, during newborn sessions I strive to focus on the family and the love for their newborn addition. My primary focus is to capture your newborn baby, the whole family, loving connections and your daily life. When your tiny newborn grows up, the most treasured pictures will be the ones where you are all pictured together, interacting, with the love between you evident. Consider me to be a friend in your house, documenting the special, seemingly small moments that you and your family share.
2. Neutral Palette
While the primary concern is that you and your family feel comfortable, I always encourage clients to communicate the style in their clothing. I recommend starting with a neutral palette. Newborns should be the center of attention when it comes to the session, so bright colors or busy patterns can be distracting for the viewer. Neutrals don’t necessarily mean a plain white T-shirt. I consider neutrals as a pallet of likeness…gray, navy, tan, white, ivory, soft blue, pastel pink, soft green, muted yellow etc. The most crucial concept is that the colors complement one another and there are 3 to 4 colors. This can include denim, with four colors as the maximum. Men photograph well in a solid sweater over a patterned collared shirt as a nice way to break up the colors, in cooler months.
3. Incorporate Personal Items
Since your lifestyle session is in your home, you have the chance to incorporate bits and pieces of yourself. Everyday objects such as wall art, books, toys, or even a favorite blanket can be utilized. Because we will not be in the confines of the studio, a lot more creative liberties can be taken.
4. Good Lighting (& Decluttered Spaces)
It is crucial that your house has adequate light and a decluttered background. The lighting can make or break the images, so don’t get your hopes set on shooting in a room without a window, after all photography is capturing light. I love natural widow light. Make sure to look at your space at between 10:00-12:00 in the morning and study the light. Let me know what you see!
5. Play Music
I know this might seem strange, but I have found it helpful in previous sessions to have a prearranged playlist with some of your / your newborn’s favorite songs. Some suggestion to add to your personalized playlist are Raffi, Classical Music, and just about anything from Putumayo. This will help relax the environment and allow you and your family to feel the most comfortable. Additionally, this will help settle your newborn! (When baby’s not happy, ain’t nobody happy!)
6. Breathe!
This is such a special time in your family’s life. I’m so excited to capture the many emotions during the shoot—love, excitement, wonder, and amazement. I know it will be tough, but make sure to relax! Many new moms tend to stress out because this is a new experience and understandably they want things to be “perfect.” Rest assured that I will create images that you and your family will cherish forever. This session is meant to be a beautiful, relaxed, and natural experience for you, your baby and your family. Nothing can ruin this vibe more than negativity. Don’t worry! I promise that we will end up with beautiful and tasteful images that your whole family will adore. Right now, promise yourself that you will not become overwhelmed, but let yourself breathe and be in the moment. Your session is an experience that you will cherish… don’t taint it with worry.
I hope that this blog post has helped, and that you leave this with 6 helpful tips under your belt. I can not wait to visit you and your beautiful newborn and capture this special time in your family’s timeline. I hope that you decide on a lifestyle session for your newborn, and are excited and prepared. See you then, Laura.
Read more tips on preparing for your newborn shoot, here.
