June 8, 2025
Newborn sessions are such a sweet time to document your little one’s early days. When planning for your Richmond in-home newborn photography session, it’s best to start preparing before the baby arrives. These sessions often take place within the first two weeks of your baby’s arrival, so having a plan ahead of time can support you in having a more relaxed experience. Here are some tips to best prepare for your session.
Select rooms with bright, natural light.
For in-home sessions, we want to choose rooms where the light is pouring in through the window. It’s even better if a room has a very large window or two windows. While this may be your nursery, sometimes it’s the master bedroom, the family room, the kitchen, or another space in your home. I find it’s best to walk through your house at various times mid-morning and mid-afternoon with the lights off to find out which rooms are best lit and at what times. Typically, I find that in-home light is best around 10 a.m., when the light is soft yet still pouring in.
Choose outfits with light neutrals or soft hues.
When choosing outfits for sessions, I find that soft, light neutrals photograph best. Think white, cream, light brown, and also soft blues and pinks. These colors tend to reflect the prettiest light and prevent color casts. They also keep the focus on your family, your newborn, and your connection to highlight this special time in your life, rather than focusing on your outfits. Solid colors and soft patterns are a great option. A soft patterned dress for mom can pair beautifully with a solid colored button-down shirt and khakis for dad.
Your newborn can also be dressed in a white or soft neutral outfit. I’ll bring blankets as well that can be used for swaddling your newborn.
Take care of basic needs.
I find families are most comfortable when they’ve had a good night’s sleep, plenty of rest before the session, and a recent meal or snack.
As you’re adjusting to life with your newborn, families often find it’s best to follow their baby’s usual routine. Try not to worry if your baby is awake leading up to the session. When they’re sleeping during the session, it’s the perfect opportunity to get those sleepy newborn photos. And if they happen to be awake at times, we can still make plenty of magic happen. Feedings often occur during newborn sessions, and we’ll be sure to plan time for this.
Allot plenty of time for getting ready.
When caring for a newborn and adjusting to a new routine, it can take a little longer than expected to get ready. Things like hair and make-up, which may not have taken much time before, are now being styled between feeding and changing your little one. To help set you up for a comfortable and relaxing experience, I find it’s best to allot much more time than you think you’ll need for getting ready.
For dedicated time to relax, many mothers choose to pamper themselves with getting their hair and make-up styled professionally. This can really elevate your newborn photos while allowing some time to focus on yourself.
If you have other young kids, consider a fun family activity for afterwards.
Planning a fun family activity after the session can give your other littles something to look forward to. Consider having dad or grandma take the kids to the playground, the pool, or another exciting activity after the session.
Have more questions about preparing for your in-home newborn photography session? I support all the families I work with in preparing for their newborn sessions through coordinating outfits, choosing the best rooms, and more. Feel free to contact me today to get started with planning your in-home newborn session.
