Loudoun Newborn Photographer

Lifestyle Newborn Sessions - What to expect

Lifestyle newborn sessions are a popular choice lately, but as a Mom draws near to her due date, she often wonders what to expect during her session. How should she prepare for her session. What should she wear!

If this is you, then read on! This blog post was written for you!


What to expect during your lifestyle newborn session

Lifestyle sessions are a little more relaxed then a posed newborn session, mainly because the baby does not need to be asleep. To achieve posed newborn images, we typically need the baby to be in a deep sleep, however, this is not true for lifestyle images. As long as baby is happy, we can shoot! A home with a lot of light is always preferred but it’s not a deal breaker. Many dark rooms provide some beautiful moody images which I tend to prefer. Shadows in photography is beautiful and provides depth to an image. Do not be afraid.

A room with a large window with natural light

A room with a large window with natural light

This was a very dark room with one small window

This was a very dark room with one small window

What rooms do you shoot in? What time of day do you shoot?

The main areas of the home that I typically shoot in are the nursery, the parents bedroom, and typically a living or family room. I choose the rooms with the best light, and often times those rooms have the biggest windows. But not always. I typically do these shoots at around 10/11ish am, because I’m looking for there to be light in your home. But you may have a home with afternoon light. If so, we would schedule for later in the day. We may also be working around a sibling’s nap schedule. This is the juggle of scheduling and is all communicated during your booking process and a time is selected appropriately.

Lifestyle newborn shoot in parent's bedroom

What props do you bring?

Simply put, I don’t. Lifestyle shoots are about capturing your baby in your home in a natural setting. HOWEVER, many times parents “just want one” prop shot. I will bring some wraps with me, some hats/headbands, and one prop to get you that “one cute shot”. I offer these as wrapped shots only, but I include them with your session fee.

Simple wrap and headband on nursery blanket

Simple wrap and headband on nursery blanket

What do I wear?

Similar with posed newborn sessions, neutrals always work. Whites, creams, tans. Pastels are soft and pretty. Avoid black.

A long maxi dress on mom is always pretty. A sweet cardigan is a nice added touch. Lace and soft flowing fabrics also photograph beautiful. Jersey knit can often show underwear lines in final images.

Dad’s typically wear a neutral color as well. Or blue. If they wear a button down, have them roll up the sleeves for a more comfortable feel.

Here is the difference with lifestyle sessions, your home is the backdrop. You really need to think about your outfit and how it will look with your walls, your bedding, etc. So, neutrals tend to work well because they will “match” whatever room you are in.

However, there is an exception….if you have a very neutral home, (i.e., Grey walls, white furniture), it can be beautiful in your final image to wear a bold color, IF you want to stand out in the final image. Example, emerald green, blue or the yellow you see below.

BUT, if you have a home with colors, I would stick with neutrals. You can't go wrong!

Neutral colors and lace

Neutral colors and lace

Beautiful maxi dress with a color pattern to pop against the neutral pallet of the bedroom

Beautiful maxi dress with a color pattern to pop against the neutral pallet of the bedroom

Bold pop color against a neutral bedroom

Bold pop color against a neutral bedroom

Cleaning and prep

The wonderful thing about lifestyle sessions is they are convenient because they are done in your home. The big misconception is you have to clean your entire home to shoot. Or, that you need a model home.

This is not true.

While we do need the area to be clean, we only need the rooms we are shooting in to be clean. Not your whole house.

Clear off those dressers, we don’t want to see your reading materials or breast pumps.

Consider neutral, solid bedding. It will photograph better.

Buy fresh flowers. Better yet…make your hubby buy you some fresh flowers! Fresh flowers always add that beautiful natural element.

And remove the diaper pail from the nursery. Hide wires from the baby monitor or phone chargers.

Throw everything you don’t want to remember in a laundry basket and tuck it in the closet.

A clean slate with fresh flowers

A clean slate with fresh flowers

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out or email me here!

Thanks!

Laurie


Expecting Parenthood | Fairfax County Couple's Maternity Session

This Fall I was lucky enough to take a handful of maternity sessions and this Fairfax County couple’s was a favorite. Usually, Fall is reserved for all the mini sessions, tree farm minis and Studio Christmas mini sessions. I rarely am able to accept maternity and newborn clients these months, but I always do my best to find slots for prior clients.
These two came to me this past Spring as part of an extended family photoshoot. They announced to their extended family that they were expecting and I was so excited!
I was even more excited, and honored, when baby mama contacted me for a maternity shoot!

We met in Sterling and were lucky enough to get a warm Fall day filled with some gorgeous light.

Casual Maternity Photo Session with barn in Fairfax County, Virginia

These two were so natural. There really wasn’t any “posing” going on. I lifted my camera and they just did it (which is a photog’s dream!) We found the perfect light and started shooting.

Casual Maternity Photo Session with barn and sunlight in Fairfax County, Virginia
Casual Maternity Photo Session with barn in Fairfax County, Virginia

They really are the sweetest and happiest. I had the most fun time during this session!

Sterling maternity photographer photo shoot with newborn baby shoes

Incorporating baby shoes! I love when clients bring a little something personal to add to the shoot. For this shoot, they brought their first baby shoes and a sonogram image.

Casual maternity couple walking in photo session with barn in Fairfax County, Virginia

Fall leaves!

Fall Maternity Photo Session Fairfax County, Virginia

We did a quick outfit change to something a little more formal and caught the tail end of the sunset.

Formal maternity photoshoot at golden hour in Fairfax County, Virginia
Formal maternity photoshoot at golden hour in Fairfax County, Virginia with sonogram images

Thank you P family for choosing me as your maternity photographer! I wish you a safe and smooth delivery!