What to Expect at Your In-Home Newborn Session

A few years ago I dropped by a friend's house to bring a meal after she welcomed her baby boy. He was tucked into his bassinet making those impossibly sweet newborn sounds, and I could hardly stop staring at him. She asked me, somewhere between bites of soup, what a newborn session with me would actually look like.

I smiled ear to ear. Because honestly? It's one of my favorite things to talk about.

If you're expecting and wondering the same thing, this post is for you. Here's everything you need to know about what an in-home newborn session with me looks like, from the moment I arrive at your door to the little surprise that shows up in your mailbox a few weeks later.

Why in-home?

Home is where your real life is unfolding. It's the nursery you'll rock your baby in at 3am, the bed where you'll all pile in together on slow Sunday mornings, the couch where you'll finally exhale. That's the story I want to tell.

I specialize in natural light, in-home newborn photography because it creates something that a studio simply can't: comfort, calm, and images that actually feel like you. This is the space you brought your baby home to, and that matters.

When to schedule your session

Most families schedule their newborn session when baby is between 2 and 4 weeks old. This is the sweet spot: babies are still in that deeply sleepy, curled-up, brand-new state, and you've had just enough time to come home and get your bearings.

When baby arrives, just send me an email and we'll get your session on the calendar within that window. Easy.

(Still pregnant and wondering when to book? The answer is around 20 weeks. You can read all about that [here - coming soon!].)

Before your session

You don't need to deep-clean your house. Promise. I just ask that you tidy 2 to 3 rooms with good natural light, and if you have time, put fresh white or neutral bedding on the bed. That's genuinely it.

Have on hand for baby: two simple outfit options (a white onesie and a swaddle look are perfect), burp cloths, diapers and wipes, and whatever you use to feed and soothe. Fewer outfit changes are better since most babies really don't love being changed, so we keep it simple.

For parents: think light neutrals. Whites, creams, soft grays, khakis. Cozy, soft, and something you can move around in freely. Your job during this session is to snuggle your baby, not think about your clothes.

If you have a special item you'd like to include, like a heirloom blanket, a meaningful prop, or a tiny hair bow, absolutely bring it out. I just ask that we keep props simple and dainty so the focus stays on your family.

During your session

When I arrive, I'll ask you to show me around. We'll look for the best natural light together, and I'll almost always turn off any overhead lights or lamps since artificial light can cast unflattering shadows and creates a color mismatch with natural light in photos. Don't worry if your home feels small or dark. I've done entire sessions in a single room, and I'm pretty good at finding light where you wouldn't expect it!

We'll move through about 3 spots in your home over the course of the session. My go-to locations are the nursery, the primary bedroom, and the living room, but every home is different and we'll work with what yours has to offer.

Sessions typically run anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. A content, sleepy baby moves things along quickly. A hungry baby, a diaper situation, or an enthusiastic older sibling? That's what the extra time is for. There is zero rush. Feed your baby whenever you need to. Change them. Soothe them. This is your home and your pace.

My approach: baby-led and lifestyle

I use what I call baby-led posing, which means I'll gently guide you and your baby into natural positions, but nobody is being stacked into a bowl or contorted into anything unnatural. My style is a mix of documentary and posed: some quiet candid moments, some gentle direction to look at each other or hold baby a particular way. The goal is always images that feel real and connected.

I'll also ask if you'd like photos while breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Most mamas treasure these, but it's completely up to you.

A note on siblings

Sibling energy is fun, not a problem. Kids do not need to sit still, and honestly, the wiggles and the giggles and the "I want to hold the baby!" moments are where some of my favorite images come from. We'll start slow, let your older kids warm up and show me around, and work in both the wild moments and the soft ones. Your gallery will reflect your whole family, chaos and all.

A note on pets

Your first babies are always welcome! The easiest approach is usually bringing baby to your calm pet rather than the other way around. A treat in hand goes a long way, and I have a little secret trick involving peanut butter that makes for the best photos. We'll include your pet for part of the session and give them a break when needed.

After your session

Within a few days I'll send you a sneak peek, because I know exactly how anxious you are to see at least one good one! Your full edited gallery will be delivered via email within 2 to 3 weeks.

Your gallery lives on an easy-to-navigate online platform where all of your sessions with me will be organized in one place, easy to share with family and friends and to order prints and photo gifts from. All images come with printing rights included in your session fee.

And one more thing: keep an eye on your mailbox. I send a little gift after every newborn session, just to make sure you have at least a few printed photos in your hands from day one.

Ready to book?

If you're expecting and this sounds like exactly what you're looking for, I'd love to hear from you. Reach out here to check availability for your due date, and feel free to ask me anything.

You've got this. And I've got you. 🤍