Lifestyle newborn photography is a wonderful way to forever preserve memories of a new baby’s earliest days at home. In fact, I love this style so much that it is my sole focus when photographing newborns. A combination of elements from classic portraiture and documentary photography allow for photos that document authentic connections and interactions between the baby and it’s family. This approach to photographing newborns is less about capturing the baby as a singular being and more about photographing the experience of welcoming a new child into the family. Following are five reasons why I love photographing lifestyle newborn sessions and why my clients treasure them as well! 

1. BABY LED: 

These sessions are led entirely by the baby. Baby prefers a particular sleeping position? I am able to ensure the baby is comfortably in it’s preferred position for the individual pictures. Baby wants to be held for the first 45 minutes of the session? The family shots can be taken during that time so mom or dad can hold the baby. I find that this baby led method of posing and organizing a session causes the least amount of stress on everyone involved. The baby will always be as he or she is most comfortable and when baby is calm the rest of the family usually is too! Implementing this baby-led method also introduces spontaneity to the session. This results in more relaxed, natural looking images.

2. PERSONAL: 

During a lifestyle newborn session I photograph details of the baby’s surroundings including home and nursery décor and family heirlooms. Parents work hard to perfect their newest child’s environment, be it a bassinet in the master bedroom or a nursery all their own, so it is important to capture images that memorialize that. 

3. CONNECTION: 

Lifestyle newborn photography focuses heavily on photographing the emotional connection between baby and parent and/or baby and sibling. This is most effectively accomplished in the home where everyone is at ease. The moments and emotions captured while working in a client’s home are supremely genuine and this is apparent in the final images. There is nothing quite like a mother tenderly placing her baby in it’s crib or a father gazing upon his newborn child in awe.  

4. CONVENIENCE: 

There is no traveling to a studio for a lifestyle newborn session and these sessions typically take just an hour and a half. This can be especially beneficial if siblings or pets will be involved in the session. Additionally, in-home newborn sessions offer the convenience of having all of a clients belongings at our disposal so it’s no problem if, halfway through the session, dad thinks of another baby outfit he wants to include or mom wishes to change into a different shirt. Lifestyle newborn sessions also offer more flexible timing than posed/studio sessions that require the baby be sleepier, thus younger, so they are easier to pose. Should a client decide they want their baby photographed at 5 weeks old, it’s no biggie (and actually the baby will be more alert which can make for some super cute, wide-eyed shots!).

5. UNIQUE: 

No two lifestyle newborn sessions will be the same! The photos represent the personality of each family which is inherently unique and special to those individuals! Each image will become a cherished memory that children and parents can reminisce on years later. 

If you are interested in scheduling a lifestyle newborn session with Amelia fill out the contact form and she will touch base with you regarding  details and availability!