Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore

Newborn Fine Art Photography


As a newborn family photographer from the east bay, I get to travel all over northern California to photograph in-home newborn sessions for my clients.


So you've just welcomed your newborn baby into your home and want to capture these early days in an at-home newborn portrait session. Before you welcome me over to your space, here are some tips that can help you get ready for your session.

Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore

How to prepare for your newborn Family portraits at home

Pick the Room(s) with the best natural light!

This is one of the most important things to keep in mind when you're thinking to have a photographer come into your home to photograph your portraits. Natural light is one of the most flattering lights to work with for this style of photography. It gives a luminous glow to your images and the more of it you have the better - so scout your rooms before decorating and setting up for your session.

Tidy up but don't overly stress about it!

Tidy up the rooms you have selected to be photographed in. Though the goal is to have minimal clutter, don't stress if your space looks like it's lived in. I recommend focusing on keeping bedsheets and crib sheets simple and plain for the best results. If a family member can help you make sure your sheets are ironed or steamed that is a plus because it looks great in photographs. We can always move around small furniture if we need to during our session.

Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore
Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore
Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore
Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore
Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore
Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore
Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore

Have your baby fed :)

Feed the baby prior to the start of our session. This will ensure that the baby is full and hopefully that will result in a happier, calmer, and more cooperative baby during our session.

Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore

Have the babies outfit changes picked out in advance!

Newborn sessions are one of the more longer sessions I shoot for the obvious reasons that baby is running the show and we have to work around how the baby is feeling and cooperating. To make things run more smoothly and efficiently it is best to have possible outfit changes already set aside. I recommend one outfit change, and two max. Too many changing sessions can make your baby fuss and it takes time away from our session. So have your favorites selected and set aside before the session.

Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore

Check the TEMP :)

Make sure to have a cozy temperature set in your home. Turn up the heat a little if you need to so baby can be comfortable for naked/diaper photographs.

Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore

Don't have a baby nursery? Don't worry!

You don't need a whole lot of space to capture some beautiful photos with your baby at home if you want to go for that at home lifestyle photography look. With minimal baby decor and some good window light you can get some beautiful family photos with your new baby from the comfort of your own living space. A crib or nursery is not necessary.

Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore

Do I bring props?

I get this question a lot and here is the answer. For lifestyle newborn photos I only bring a couple of neutral swaddles if a client requests them during our conversations leading up to the session. With this style of photography I feel that less is more! The goal is to capture your family with the newborn more organically.

You have a toddler sibling that doesn't want to be in photos, what can we do?

Sometimes my clients will have another toddler or baby in the house who does not want to participate in pictures. That is totally normal and happens all the time. We never force them or punish them if they don't corporate or take direction because that is not fun or productive. Usually what ends up happening is we just get them to play games or ask them questions like can you help me find the babies cheeks or ears etc... and most times that works.

Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore
Preparing for newborn family portraits at home. Northern California Newborn photographer Bay Area East Bay SF Livermore

Lastly...

If taking any advice ever becomes overwhelming, don't stress and don't do what feels like too much. During this time you're already tired and overwhelmed with the newborn stage so ask for help when you need it or just keep it super simple to help yourself out.