If you’ve decided to book a Philadelphia in home newborn photographer to celebrate the arrival of your baby, you’re probably wondering how you can prepare for your session. I’ve had the honor of photographing many babies for in-home newborn sessions and always send a prep guide for my families so they can best prepare for their session. Today I’m going to share my top tips with you so you can prepare for your Philadelphia in home newborn photographer to arrive!
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How to prep for your session with a Philadelphia in home newborn photographer
1. Open up the blinds, shades, and curtains – let there be light!
We want to let as much light into your home for the session; open up all the lights, blinds, and shades. As someone who had – I kid you not – FOUR layers of window coverings on her baby’s windows to make it as dark as possible, I get that it’s annoying, but I promise it makes a huge difference. You can see that Alex of My Mom Friend Made Me Buy It got so much light in her house by opening up all the curtains!
2. Choose 2-3 rooms to prep for the session
Please please please don’t scour the entire house to prepare for your in home newborn photographer. You just had a baby, for Pete’s sake! And we’re not going to be photographing your session in the bathroom or closet, right? Choose 2-3 rooms that you’d like your session to be photographed in (and if you’re unsure, you can always email your in home newborn photographer to help you decide) and declutter those.
3. Consider having the grandparents over to help
Are the grandparents in town to help with the baby? Do they live nearby? Invite them over for the session! Not only can they be helpful for dogs and older children, but it’s a great opportunity to have them included in your session, too.
4. Feed kids (and yourself!) ahead of the session
Make sure that baby, older kiddos, and YOU are fed ahead of the session. We all know what it feels like to be hangry and that’s exactly what we’re going to try to avoid in our toddler and baby friends. If kids are hungry during the session it’s absolutely okay to ask your in home newborn photographer to take a break to feed them!
5. Declutter the common areas
Clear off the nightstands and counters of everyday clutter. It doesn’t have to look like no one lives there! Water bottles off of the nightstands and dishes off of the counter are a good place to start.
6. Make the bed (and think about bedding choices!)
Your in home newborn photographer will likely ask you to lay or snuggle up together with baby on the bed. Make your bed ahead of the session and consider a lighter colored bedspread or blanket on top to keep the focus on you!
7. Prep your pets for their close up
Have a pet that will be included in the session? As someone who has three dogs, I know that a tired and exercised dog is generally a calm dog. Let them run around in a yard a bit before the session or take them for a walk.
8. Time the session around older toddlers
Tired toddlers? Not on my watch! I like to plan for newborn sessions with older toddlers to take place in the morning before naptime so they’re ready for lunch and nap at noon. If you know that your toddler naps at 12, plan for a session start time in the morning so they’re rested.
9. Turn off all the lights
Believe it or not, we’ll want to turn off all of the lights in the home for portraits. This helps us avoid something called “mixed lighting”, which isn’t super cute when it comes to how your portraits will look. Sounds weird but trust me on it!
10. Prepare to let your kids join in some extra special activities at with your in home newborn photographer
We are going to have FUN at your session and your kiddos might get to do some things that they normally aren’t allowed to do (jump on the couch, stand in the windowsill, you get the idea). I’ll always ask if it’s okay first but be open to letting them engage in some fun to get those authentic smiles!
Enjoy this post? I’m so glad! Feel free to contact me to chat about your newborn session. You might also like following posts:
In Home Newborn Photographer | Baby Jones
Five Important Things to Consider as You’re Looking for a Delaware Newborn Photographer
Awarded “Best Main Line Maternity Photographer” & “Best Main Line Newborn Photographer” by Main Line Parent
Veronika Paluch is an award-winning and highly sought after maternity, newborn, baby, and family photographer offering luxury, organic fine art portraits and an impeccable client experience. She specializes in documenting authentic connections and simple moments of children & families and the quiet beauty of motherhood. Stripping away all of the extras – the costumes, the props, the rigid posing – leaves room for her to capture classic, timeless images that showcase love & family connection.
Veronika serves clients in her beautiful natural light studio, as well as on location throughout the Greater Philadelphia area including the Main Line, Wayne, Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, Devon, Malvern, Paoli, Exton, West Chester, Swarthmore, Media, South Jersey, and Northern Delaware.
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