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
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.
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
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
Beautiful maxi dress with a color pattern to pop against the neutral pallet of the 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
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out or email me here!
Thanks!
Laurie
