How to Prepare for Your In Home Newborn Session | Ohio Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

In-home lifestyle newborn sessions are a beautiful way to capture the memories of those early days with your new baby without leaving the comfort of your home! The goal is to document authentic moments in your home, so there's no need to stress over perfection. Your home is meant to look lived in, so while this is a post to help you prepare your home for your session, this is not a post about how to make it perfect.

Couple cuddling baby on bed, woman wearing red sweater. In kitchen, man leans over baby. Cozy home setting, warm and loving mood.

Declutter Key Areas
Since in-home sessions often take place in a few main rooms, focus on clearing clutter (not deep cleaning) in the following rooms:
- Nursery:
- Use a clean, white or neutral crib sheet to create a timeless look
- Tuck away any extra baby gear you aren't using (diaper pails, sound machines, etc) that may distract from the photos
- Open blinds or curtains to let in as much natural light as possible
- Living Room:
- Clear off coffee tables and side tables
- Add a throw blanket or comfy pillows
-Open blinds and curtains
- Master Bedroom:
- Make the bed
- Remove any distractions from side tables like chargers, tissues, water, etc
- Open blinds and curtains
- The Kitchen:
- If we are capturing moments like bottle feeding, coffee breaks, baking with older siblings, etc clear countertops and tuck away excess items
-Add fresh flowers if you'd like
Think About Lighting
Lighting plays a huge role in how your photos turn out. Natural light is our best friend, so:
- Open all blinds and curtains in the main areas where photos will be taken
- Turn off overhead lights, which will create harsh shadows or add unnatural color
- Consider rescheduling if it's a dark and gloomy day
- Consider the time of day for your session

Prepare the Baby
Your baby will be the star of the session, so it's important to make sure they're comfortable! Some helpful tips:
- Feed baby 20-30 minutes before the session
- Dress baby in neutral or light colored clothing for a timeless look
- Have extra swaddle blankets, pacifier, formula, breastmilk on hand

Family on bed with baby smiling. Man and woman sit with baby in peach outfit. Child in the background holds a guitar. Cozy indoor setting.

Adding in Personal Items
If you'd like to incorporate special items, think about a family heirloom or handmade blanket, a small stuffed animal or toy that may have meaning, a letter board with the baby's name and birthdate, a special outfit or hat for baby, etc
Include Pets and Older Siblings
Pets and older siblings are always welcome in newborn sessions! To make the older siblings feel involved and excited, you can:
- Talk to them ahead of time about how they'll get to snuggle the new baby for photos
- Plan for playful moments where they can interact naturally
- Let them take breaks if needed!

For pets:
- Give them exercise before the session to help them relax
- Have treats nearby
- Let them take breaks!
Enjoy the Moment!
Remember, your home doesn't need to look Instagram perfect. It's supposed to look lived in and full of love. I'm there to capture real moments, including the way your home looked in this season of life. By taking these simple steps, you'll create a fun and inviting environment for capturing your special memories.