How to prep Tip #1: Declutter

Your home does NOT have to be perfect. I promise. It’s your home and it’s supposed to look lived in. You can focus on de-cluttering your home, which means just tidying up a bit and basically putting stuff in the room where it belongs and toss the rest in a closet until I leave. This includes allll the toys,  diapers, and extra pacifiers laying everywhere!

How to prep Tip #2: Let there be light

Easy peasy: Before I arrive, make sure to open any blinds and curtains to let all that beautiful, natural light in! Light is the magic behind every photo and it's imperative when working indoors that there is enough to work with. I use natural light in my photos, so no need to turn on lamps or overhead lighting either.

How to prep Tip #3: Get outfits ready, including backups!

Outfits play a huge part in the overall look of your newborn photos, so please don't leave this until the last minute. From my experience, neutrals or softer tones are best for photographing (think whites, greys, browns, soft pinks, olive greens, navy, etc). They keep the focus on you & your connections and are timeless. They also work really well in colourful nurseries. If you'd like to wear a flowy, long dress, good on you because they photograph so well! Yes, you can wear one in winter! Loose cardigans & jeans look great for in-home sessions too if you'd like a more casual, relaxed vibe. Make sure you have a solid outfit ready for the littlest ones (a white onesie or muslin swaddle is always a great option) and perhaps a second outfit that shows a bit more personality. Just ensure to stay with neutral tones & small patterns to keep the focus on baby and prevent any odd colour casting on their faces.

Last of all, make sure you have backups on hand for both you and baby! Unexpected blowouts or spit ups might happen!

How to prep Tip #4: Prep the rooms

Prepping the rooms you will use during your newborn photos is SUPER EASY. To prepare your chosen rooms for your newborn photo session, I encourage either a white or neutral sheet in bedrooms for maximum light, so if you don’t own one, perhaps pick up one for cheap at Walmart beforehand. Crib sheets & duvets with too much bright colour can reflect onto baby’s face, casting a colourful shadow that’s challenging to edit out later on, so it's best to have white or at least softer tones. Too much pattern on beds & sofas will also distract from your baby in the photos, so I'd say keep it pretty simple. You’ll thank me later for this one!

How to prep Tip #5: Give hands extra love

Here's a super easy tip you can follow before your newborn session, but one you might not think of. Close ups are aplenty for in-home newborn sessions, so to prepare, ensure your hands and nails are neat and taken care of. A little lotion & a quick touch-up (or removal) goes a LONG way. Honestly, I didn't do this and in my son's newborn photos my chipped, grown out polish is VERY obvious!

How to prep Tip #6: Make sure everyone is fed & happy before photographer arrives

Making sure everyone is fed & happy is SO important when preparing for at-home newborn photos! Start feeding your baby 20 minutes prior to photographer's arrival, change diaper, then into their outfit last. If you have an older sibling in the family, set them up with a snack and maybe one of their favorite movies or activities before photographer arrives. This will keep them distracted at the beginning part of the session and keep it relaxed. We can start with the baby then welcome in the older sibling(s) after we get the shots we need of your new little bundle of joy!

How to prep Tip #7: Enjoy the moments together & trust your photographer

Lastly, when preparing for newborn photos, don't forget to enjoy your time together & trust your photographer. This may seem obvious, but it's worth mentioning as I know the stress of getting ready can take over sometimes. Just before you open the door to your photographer, take 3 deep breaths and remember, this is your time to just "be." Don't be afraid to snuggle, give kisses, tickle, sing songs, and embrace each other. Let me see who you really are! Whether it's fun, loving, silly, or you're tired & just want to cuddle, I want to capture it!

I know that sometimes in the chaos of the moment, you may think "Oh gosh, this is a disaster!" You may be worried you won't get those perfect photos, especially if baby is a little fussy or if you have other children running around. Remember - I'm a professional and an artist and it's my job to capture the magic I see right in front of me. Embrace the chaos of it all while I capture those special little moments in the most beautiful way, no matter how wild they may feel.