In home newborn photography…gosh I could write a love letter to you. Well, actually I sort of am with this post. When I first started photographing families in their homes, it was a little overwhelming. After all, when I started working with families, I only did outdoor sessions. I still do outdoor sessions, but the creativity, the sacredness of being in my client’s homes, and the comfort and ease my client’s felt being in home, was inspiring to me. There is a learning curve involved when shifting from outdoor to indoor photography. However, that feeling of unease quickly led to only wanting more!

What exactly is in home newborn photography?

The in-home newborn photography that I do is a type of photography called lifestyle photography. Lifestyle photography is a relaxed, less formal approach to photographing families, usually in their homes. I love capturing newborns in their homes using a lifestyle approach. In home newborn photography with a dose of lifestyle photography is a beautiful and REAL way to capture what it is like having a newborn baby.

Now let me share with you why I love indoor newborn photography!

1. Think about this…indoors in Texas vs. outdoors in Texas

Which would you rather do while wearing your photography inspired clothes, with your hair fixed, and after you got your entire family ready for pictures? Yeah, I though so. In all seriousness, there are very few times a year, living in Fort Worth when the lighting and weather come together for that perfect experience. In your home, you are in control of the temperature and you do not have to wait for a certain season, like spring or fall, to have that perfect setting of colored leaves or flowers.

2. Necessities are a step away

It’s hard with little ones to keep their clothing perfect during an outdoor session. You know, and I know that keeping little ones contained and clean is no easy task. Dirt is meant to be played in, trees are just begging to be climbed, and playing in grass might result in grass stains. Notice I did not even mention the diaper blow outs, sudden blooding nose, and forgotten shoes. You are in your home with everything at hand if you have to make a sudden wardrobe change or clean up.

3. All the comfort items

Swaddles, pacifiers, snacks, drinks, ‘lovies’, etc are all right where you need them to be. Not just your newborn has a need for comfort items, but their siblings as well. When you are in your home, ALL THE THINGS are on hand. Your kids have access to a quick snack, a drink break, and more

4. Share your family’s loves during your in home newborn session

One question on your in home newborn session questionnaire is what do you want these images to tell you years from now? Time spent with your children when they are young is so dang fleeting. These sessions allow you to share what’s really important to your family and what your family enjoys together. Is it capturing your family reading a favorite picture book, baking with your children, making a fun snack, hanging out together on your porch, playing dress-up? Being in your home provides the time and space for you to share what your family enjoys doing together and what this season of your family life is like.

5. Best time of day for your children

You might not realize this, but outdoor sessions are dependent on the sunrise and sunset. This can vary throughout the year. Sunrise sessions can begin as early as 6:45am and sunset sessions can begin as late as 8:00pm. I know that for younger children, those are probably not their best times of the day. In home newborn sessions usually start anywhere from 9am-1:30pm. This timing depends on the amount of light entering your home, but those times of the day are so much easier on your children.

There so many more reasons why in-home newborn photography is a favorite of mine. The creative opportunities your home provides as a setting for your photographs are magical and I believe it is the best place to have your newborn photography session.