Tips for Photographing an In-Home Newborn Session

I absolutely adore photographing a new family in the comfort of their own home. The home where parents welcome their new baby will always be special and will never go out of fashion. I started off shooting weddings and I approach an in home newborn session in the same documentary/gently posed way. Here’s some tips on how I shoot.

DON’T BE A WEIRDO

I’ll start with the most important tip and this is a hard one for me because I’m naturally a freak, just don’t be a weirdo. On my first shoot, the new family had two beloved Eclectus parrots. I was so nervous, I tried to connect with them and told the story of how my sister had an Eclectus parrot also, and how it was recently savagely attacked and eaten by a rat – to the look of horror and dismay on the new parents faces. The shoot went down hill from there. New mums at best, are emotional and sleep deprived robots. I usually deal with crying emotional mums most sessions and I let them know that I spent the first two weeks of my eldest borns life crying in the shower every night, it’s okay to be overwhelmed. If you don’t have anything to say just gush over the gorgeous newborn. New parents need calmness and reassurance, depressing parrot eating rat stories are never appropriate, keep conversation light and cheery.

TAKE A LOOK AROUND

First thing I do is scout out the best light. I usually shoot in the nursery and master bedroom so I go check out which is the best lit. I also look for cutesy little details and items that have significance to the family. I don’t carry around props as I think they will eventually date the photographs, and I want my images to remain timeless. Houses don’t need to be super clean or stylish to do an in home shoot and I move furniture around to avoid distractions and keep backgrounds clean and simple.

BRING A STEP LADDER

A little step ladder or stool is great to add another perspective. I usually keep one in my car in case a photography emergency arises and I need one like for the photo below, this was shot on the parents bed from directly above. I don’t usually do heavily styled/ posed photos, but this baby will grow up picking olives on his Nonno’s olive farm so i though olive branches were only fitting.

BE FLEXIBLE

Sh*t happens, literally! Go with the flow. I have a set list of shots I want to get but they don’t necessarily work out. Know when to move on to the next thing and don’t force something if it simply isn’t working. Reassure the parents and give them time to resettle baby, feed, clean up poosplosions etc. Never rush.

NATURAL LIGHT

I am not a big fan of artificial light, I learnt photography being mentored by wedding photographers and there was no time on a wedding day to set up lighting, we used what we had and I still do to this day. I backlight where possible (love me some back light). It’s also important to educate the parents, I get them to do some homework and see when the rooms are at their brightest, and schedule a shoot for that time.

PHOTOGRAPH NEWBORN WITH MUM

Derr this seems like a no brainer but it can get missed, take time to get a great newborn and mum photo. I usually do a few locations, in a rocking chair, on the bed, looking into the cot.

 PHOTOGRAPH NEWBORN WITH DAD

Another no brainer. I find a neutral wall and shoot dad and baby usually doing a kiss, or obligatory front on cradling baby in his hands to give perspective of how small the baby is, parents always love this shot.

PHOTOGRAPH ALL FAMILY TOGETHER

I love to get parents looking into the cot, because we all know new parents spend hours just gazing at the newborns asleep, It makes a lovely photo. Also get them relaxing in the mater bedroom. Shoot from front on and from above to change perspective.

THE DETAILS

Shoot the special details, heirloom furniture, baby feet, cards, gifts. They all hold special meaning and should be remembered.  The furniture featured below are family heirlooms over 100 years old, these details also look great in albums.

SHOOT THE IN BETWEEN MOMENTS

I am constantly watching, waiting to pick up on a mannerism, baby yawn etc Those in-between moments happen in a split second and I always have my camera up to my face waiting for them. They are usually always the parent’s favourite.

WHATS IN MY CAMERA BAG?

I use a Sigma 35mm 1.4 usually for the whole session as it allows me to pull back get the whole room in of get up close. I also love my Canon 50mm 1.8 because its just magic and allows me to get those up close details with very little distortion.

WANT MORE TIPS?

Sign up to my emails below. I’ll also be writing tips for in-home newborn sessions with children and pets in the future so keep you eyes peeled.