Welcoming a new baby into the family fold is not just exciting, but an absolute blessing. There are so many decisions to make when preparing for a baby's arrival, that often, organizing for a newborn session may not be forefront in the minds of parents until the night before the photographer is set to arrive. Here are some simple steps to help take the guesswork out of how to prepare for the day and what to expect.
What is a Lifestyle Session?
I get this question a lot. Lifestyle sessions differ from Studio sessions in the sense that they in the comfort of your own home and focus on the homestead having changed it's dynamic in an incredible way. Lifestyle sessions rely mainly on natural light rather than studio lights and it creates a more organic image. Of course it is down to preference, but Lifestyle newborn sessions are actually becoming more and more popular as it has that timeless element that really captures the "true-ness" of what a little one's world was like before they could register memories. It is reality with all it's chaos and sweetness. Lifestyle sessions are, without a doubt, an advantage to parents as they are on home ground and do not have the added stress of travelling and getting bags ready. I often give my clients a little taste of studio sessions, by posing their newborn with wraps and siblings, but generally, I focus on family.
Colours
A great and simple way to get some decision making out of the way, is choosing the colors you would like for your family wardrobe. Everyone has been there: an event seems so far away and there is so much time to decide what to wear, and then suddenly, you find yourself down to the last twenty-four hours, scrambling through multiple closets to pull outfits together. I am notoriously guilty of that! Starting to plan outfits in advance, gives parents a head start and takes the, sometimes, stressful guess work out of "what do I(we) wear?". My favorite combination will always be neutrals - white, beige, grey - are easy to match with the entire family and translates very well in photographs.
Where do we photograph?
The key is to real estate is location, location, location. Well, photography isn't that different. Photographers love a location with natural light. So, there aren't steadfast that say you have to photograph in the baby's room or in the principal bedroom. The best place is where the natural light spills in and gets the best results. I have photographed in kitchens, stairs, living rooms and entranceways. The idea of a Lifestyle session is to illustrate the family in their home and the beauty of what a new baby brings to that space and dynamic. Don't get hung up on the where, let your photographer be creative in your space and the images will reflect that. If you want a general idea, take a look at where the light hits your home at the same time of your scheduled session - morning or afternoon. Snap some pictures with your phone and share them with your photographer. They will thank you for that!
How do i prepare?
My best advice to new mothers is take care of yourself. Often, moms are so concerned about everyone else, that they are left behind. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help, cleaning or organizing before your session date. If you prefer to do the housework yourself, have a grandparent or aunt/uncle/friend come by and watch your little one as you tidy up and prepare outfits for the session. The day of, have your significant other (or family member) watch the baby as you get dressed, do your hair and makeup. Moms definitely deserve some alone time to take care of themselves.
What about siblings?
Older siblings are a unique dynamic to a Newborn session. They have so much energy, so much input and are sometimes uncertain why a baby demands so much attention. I like to connect with a sibling when I first arrive. Have your older child pick a couple of their favorite things to share with the photographer when they arrive. It gives big brother or sister a way to show their personality and warm up to someone new in the home. Talk to your child in advance about what is going to happen and why the photos are important to the family. I like to get photos of the baby with the older sibling and with the entire family as soon as I can, as their patience and attention is limited. Make sure to book the session before or after a nap, or you may have a cranky participant - for good reason. Be realistic. Pinterest images of newborns with their siblings can create high expectations, and make parents frustrated that they can't get the same results. Each child is different, which makes each session different - some of the best images are organic - the ones unexpected.
what is the secret to a good session?
The secret is...the session comes together with little details. Making sure that the room(s) most likely to be photographed are tidy and organized, to planning outfits together with your oldest child to make them feel part of the process, to putting your phone on silent during the session, to gauging whether or not your fur baby can really handle a photo with their new "sibling"; these are just the kind of details that help take the stress out of aspects of the session. Planning ahead is always the best practice, but let's be real - life, no matter how much planning, can sometimes turn out differently. When that happens, patience is the key. It is easy to say, but quite frankly, I have personally experienced that when I slow down a session or push pause for a few minutes, it can make all the difference in the outcome and results. So, let's just say, the secret is the two p's: planning and patience.
