The first six weeks with a newborn are a blur. In the moment, we think it’s impossible to forget the tiny details: the purse of their lips, their little fingernails, the weight of their body against our shoulder, the amount of time we spent in the rocking chair coaxing them into deep sleep. Sadly though, we do. The great thing about in-home lifestyle/documentary newborn photos is that is allows parents to capture these moments, the emotions, the feeling in your home during this intimate time. Shooting these sessions in your home allows all members of your family to feel more comfortable and with everything we might need at our fingertips you can just relax and lean in to being in the moment with your new baby.
There are some things you can do to prepare for your photos. The goal is not to be overwhelmed, you have enough on your plate with the tiny new human who has now taken over your life. Here are some small things that can help the shoot go smoothly.
1. Pick your outfits - I always recommend no logos, words, or cartoons characters on clothing. They really do age the photos. For a more classic look stay away from extreme patterns. Beyond that I try to let your family be themselves. If you love the minimal look of neutrals and flowing dresses, go for it. Some families don’t look like themselves without a little colour thrown in. Moms are usually the ones most worried about this, so I suggest you choose your outfit first and them work around that for the other members of the family. For baby, simple is best. A plain white onesie or one with a small pattern so we can concentrate on their features and then another onesie or sleeper with a little more personality. For siblings you can often avoid a meltdown before I get there if you choose something comfortable and not scratchy. Blow outs, spit up and juice spills happen. If you have some back ups on standby that would be helpful too.
2. Turn up the heat – about half an hour before I arrive raise the heat a few degrees. Babies get cold fast, and they will likely be in just a onesie for part of the shoot.
3. Tidy Up / Declutter - This does not mean clean your house top to bottom. It doesn’t have to be perfect. We just want the clutter out of site. Put the extra dishes on the counter away or the things that pile up near the change table. When I am shooting I can and will move things out of the way if need be.
4. Feed the baby – my shoots are relaxed so we can take breaks for top ups when need be but if you can have a big feed before I arrive, we can have a hopefully happy baby ready to go when I get there.
5. The Nursery – I always do crib/basinet shots and take photos in the nursery so if you have a clean sheet that would be great.
6. Siblings – you can prepare older siblings just by telling them someone is coming to hang out with your family and take pictures. That’s it. Often as moms we worry prior to photos that our kids are not going to cooperate. That worry can cause our kids to get even more out of sorts. I will get to know your kids when I am there, and they will warm up. It is a hard time of transition when the family changes. I am there to capture all of that.
In-home shoots are meant to be more laid back and relaxed so we will make everything work when I am there. Please be sure to tell me if you are recovering from a c-section or still sore from birth. I want to make sure you are comfortable and can help you maneuver throughout the shoot. If there are any blankets or items that are sentimental to you set them aside and we can find a way to work them in. Most importantly, every family is unique. Every family is different. I can’t wait to capture your family exactly as you are.
Kendra Knaggs is a Kincardine newborn photographer, Port Elgin Newborn photographer, photographing newborns and families throughout Grey Bruce and Goderich.