Everyone loves baby photos! Did you know there are different styles of newborn photos? Such as ‘lifestyle newborn photography’.
What is Lifestyle Newborn Photography?
Lifestyle family photography is a style of portrait photography that
aims to capture your family life in a natural and authentic way. The goal is to capture what is
happening in the moment. The kids playing hide & seek, jumping on the bed, or cuddles and tickles that make everyone giggle. It means lots of natural interaction and engagement between family members, and less formally posed photos.
Likewise for lifestyle newborn photography. The focus is on the love and bond between you and your baby. Whether baby is feeding, sleeping, or being snuggled, we want to capture your little one as they are in that moment, and all the little things you do naturally as a parent with a newborn. Even if baby is a little unsettled, you can relax knowing I’m able to capture some beautiful shots of you doing what you do best….comforting your baby.
Newborn lifestyle photography is very much baby led. That means if baby wants to be held, that’s what we do. If baby needs to be changed or needs a top up feed, then we stop, change and feed. I usually plan for lots of breaks so baby and parents are as relaxed and comfortable as possible.
In the years to come, images from your lifestyle newborn session will transport you back to this precious time in your baby’s life. It will help you remember all the little details, the nursery where you spent sleepless nights rocking baby to sleep, and you’ll remember those emotions you felt when snuggling your precious bundle. My goal is for my clients to never forget life as it once was.
Where are sessions held?
Sessions are usually held in your home using natural window light, and simple props to create a relaxed and intimate setting. There are advantages to an in-home newborn session. Such as, all your baby resources are at hand; you don’t need to travel with a newborn; and everyone can be
comfortable and relaxed in a familiar environment. It’s also special to document this
time in baby’s first home. Don’t worry, your home doesn’t need to be magazine worthy or instagramable. Just one or two decluttered rooms with good window light is all that’s needed. If an in-home session is out of the question, I do have a studio space available.
What to expect?
What you won’t see in lifestyle newborn photography is baby being posed in unnatural positions, posed inside a box or a flowerpot. While these images are very cute, they are not necessarily comfortable for the baby or the parents, and they can take many hours to achieve, depending on how much baby is fussing.
However, I do bring a moses basket, a few wraps, headbands, and blankets to the session to create some more ‘styled’ images depending on how bub is on the day. I will always follow the lead of baby and never cause them stress trying to ‘get that shot’.
What age is best for lifestyle newborn photography?
Another advantage of lifestyle newborn sessions is that any age is a good age. Anytime you are ready is a good time. I hold newborn sessions up to the age of 6 months.
For older baby sessions, it is important to note that they will be more resistant to wraps, and sleeping. They just want to take in everything in their surrounds, so be prepared to have photos with baby awake and alert.
Older baby sessions can be held outdoors as well as at home, and are great for getting those cheeky smiles, giggles and all those adorable facial expressions.
If this appeals to you then waiting till bub is a few months
old is probably best.
If you would like to see more images from my lifestyle newborn photography sessions, click here to view my portfolio.