Welcoming a newborn into your family is such a special time, and capturing these first moments in the comfort of your own home can create a deeply personal and meaningful experience. As a Baltimore newborn photographer, I specialize in both studio and in-home newborn photography, ensuring a relaxed, stress-free process no matter where your session takes place.
Here are my top tips for a successful in-home newborn session!
Newborn Safety is My Top Priority
When working with newborns, safety always comes first. Throughout your session, I continuously monitor your baby’s breathing, skin color, and comfort levels to ensure they are completely safe and content.
With my extensive background as a pediatric nurse practitioner, I have experience working with newborns, including those with reflux, GI sensitivities, and special medical needs. I take a gentle, patient approach and adjust posing as needed to keep your baby comfortable throughout the session.
Some key safety measures I take include:
✔ Washing my hands immediately upon arrival.
✔ Ensuring proper newborn support during posing.
✔ Keeping your baby warm and cozy at all times.
✔ Taking breaks whenever needed—baby’s comfort comes first!
Before Your Newborn Session
To make things as smooth as possible, I’ll send you a detailed preparation guide ahead of time. This will cover everything from styling and outfits to what to have on hand during the session.
A few key things to set aside:
✔Burp cloths & pacifiers (if you’re using one)
✔ Diapers & wipes for easy changes
✔ A swaddle blanket if you have a favorite
Since we’ll be capturing these moments in your home, I’ll also have you send me photos of your space ahead of time. This helps me determine the best spots for photos and allows you to tidy up those areas before I arrive. Most sessions take place in the nursery and/or your family living area, but we can adjust based on lighting and space.
What to Expect When I Arrive
When I arrive at your home, I want the experience to feel calm and enjoyable for your whole family.
✔ I’ll remove my shoes & wash my hands before handling your baby.
✔ You’ll feed the baby right before I arrive or while I’m setting up—a full belly helps baby sleep soundly!
✔ I’ll bring everything needed for baby—no need to worry about wraps, outfits, or props.
How the Session Flows
1. Family Photos First – Just like my studio newborn sessions, we start with family photos. These can include parents, siblings, and even pets—I love incorporating the meaningful spaces and details of your home into your session.
2. Individual Baby Photos – I bring a portable studio setup, allowing me to create a professional look right in your home. I only need a small area to set up my backdrops and lighting for those sweet, classic newborn portraits.
3. Taking Breaks as Needed – Newborns can be unpredictable, and that’s completely okay! We’ll take as many breaks as needed for feeding, diaper changes, and soothing. I’ll guide the session at baby’s pace to keep things stress-free for everyone.
Personalizing Your Session
One of the best parts of an in-home newborn session is the ability to capture your family’s unique story. If there are meaningful items or spaces in your home that you’d like to incorporate—such as a special nursery detail, a family heirloom, or even your pets—we can include them in your session.
Relax & Enjoy the Moment
I know how exhausting the newborn stage can be, which is why my goal is to make this experience as easy and enjoyable as possible for you. Your only job is to relax and soak in these moments—I’ll take care of everything else!
With my combined experience as a Baltimore newborn photographer and pediatric nurse practitioner, I’m uniquely qualified to create a safe, beautiful, and stress-free newborn session in the comfort of your own home.
Book Your Newborn Session Today
Newborn sessions should be booked by your second trimester (around 14 weeks) to guarantee availability. If you’re expecting and want to learn more about in-home or studio newborn photography, let’s chat!
