If you’ve ever looked through a newborn gallery from a Pittsburgh In-Home Newborn Session and wondered, How did they get the baby to do that? or What if my baby cries the whole time? — you’re definitely not alone.
One of the biggest things I want parents to know before their Pittsburgh In-home Newborn Photography Session is that you really don’t have to stress about it.
Your baby doesn’t need to “cooperate.” Your house doesn’t need to be spotless. You don’t need to know how to pose or what to do with your hands. And you definitely don’t need to have everything together a week or two after having a baby.
That’s my job.
I’ll guide you through the entire session so that you can focus on your baby and your family. Here’s what an in-home newborn session with me actually looks like.
We Don’t Start Taking Pictures the Second I Walk In For Your Pittsburgh In-Home Newborn Photography Session
When I arrive at your house, I’m usually not pulling out my camera right away.
First, I’ll ask you to show me around so I can look for the areas with the best light. The nursery, master bedroom, and living room are usually great options, but I’ve photographed families in kitchens and other unexpected spots simply because that’s where the light was best.
And if your house doesn’t have a ton of natural light? That’s okay too. I bring a light with me, so we don’t have to worry about having a perfectly bright house.
While I’m looking around, you can finish getting ready, feed the baby, change a diaper, or just take a minute. There is no rush.
My newborn sessions are usually about two to three hours, which gives us plenty of time for feeding, diaper changes, toddler snacks, or just taking a break when someone needs one.
Your baby sets the pace.
Your House Does NOT Need to Be Perfect
This is one I really want moms to hear.
Please do not stress about cleaning your entire house before I come over.
You just had a baby. I promise I am not coming to inspect your house.
We only need a couple of small areas to photograph in, and when I arrive, I’ll help figure out where those spots should be. If there’s a pile of laundry or baby gear in the corner, we can move it out of the way.
Your home doesn’t need to look like something out of a magazine to have beautiful newborn photos.
One of the reasons I love in-home newborn photography is because this is where your real life with your new baby is happening. It’s where you rock them, feed them, snuggle them and start figuring out this new version of your family.
That’s what I want to document.
You Don’t Have to Figure Out What Everyone Should Wear
Another thing you can take off your list: figuring out outfits completely on your own.
Before your session, I’ll send you my styling guide with shoppable links and ideas for coordinating everyone without being too matchy.
And if you’re still not sure? Send me pictures! I’m always happy to answer questions and help you decide what will photograph best.
For baby, you can choose an outfit you love, keep things simple, or have me wrap them. I bring several neutral wraps with me so you can choose your favorite when I arrive.
You Need to Be in These Photos, Too
I know how easy it is to think, I just had a baby. I don’t really want to be in pictures right now.
But I really encourage you to get in them.
A Pittsburgh In-home Newborn Photography Session isn’t only about getting beautiful pictures of your new baby. A huge part of my sessions is documenting your family together.
I want pictures of you holding your baby. Dad with the baby. Siblings together. Everyone snuggled up as a family.
Because someday your baby is going to be older and look back at these photographs. I want them to be able to see how tiny they were in your arms and how completely loved they were from the very beginning.
Yes, we will absolutely get beautiful photographs of your baby alone. But the connection between your family is just as important to me.
Even if you don’t feel completely like yourself yet, get in the picture.
You don’t have to feel photo-ready. I’ll help you with the rest.
What Actually Happens During a Pittsburgh In-home Newborn Photography Session?
Every session is a little different because every baby and family is different, but I usually start with family photos.
If there is an older sibling — especially a toddler — I often follow their lead.
If they’re excited and ready to hold the baby, we’ll start there! I’ve learned that when a toddler is willing to participate, we take advantage of it. We can get those sibling pictures and then let them go play instead of expecting them to stay interested in pictures for two hours.
From there, we’ll photograph everyone together, Mom with baby, Dad with baby, and different combinations of your family.
I’ll tell you where to sit, where to stand and what to do. I’m not going to put you in a room and tell you to “act natural” while I point a camera at you — because I wouldn’t know what to do either!
Instead, I’ll give you simple directions and prompts. Snuggle your baby. Look at each other. Give Mom a kiss. Love on your toddler.
The goal isn’t stiff posing. It’s to give you enough direction that you feel comfortable while still creating images that feel like your family.
Baby Doesn’t Have to Be Heavily Posed
After family photos, we’ll also get photographs of your baby alone.
My style is much more natural than heavily posed newborn photography. I love simple images of baby wrapped or unwrapped, lying comfortably on a soft blanket or bed.
I’ll bring wraps and a fluffy blanket with me, and we’ll keep everything simple and focused on your baby.
I’ll also photograph all those tiny details — their fingers, toes, little nose, eyelashes and all the things that are going to change way too quickly.
The goal is for your gallery to have a mix of baby portraits, family photographs, sibling images, and all of those little details you never want to forget.
And If Your Baby Cries? We Stop.
This might be the most important thing to know before your newborn session.
There is no rush.
If your baby needs to eat, we stop.
If they need a diaper change, we stop.
If your toddler needs a snack or has completely had enough of me, that’s okay too.
This is exactly why I leave two to three hours for newborn sessions. We’re not trying to force your baby into a schedule just so we can get pictures.
We work around them.
Sometimes babies sleep. Sometimes they’re wide awake. Sometimes they need to eat three times. None of those things mean your session isn’t going well.
It’s all normal.
When Should You Book Your Pittsburgh In-home Newborn Photography Session?
I recommend booking your newborn session while you’re still pregnant so I can reserve space around your due date.
Newborn sessions are typically photographed when baby is around 7–14 days old, but that isn’t a hard deadline.
Babies don’t exactly care about our calendars.
If your baby is a little older, we can still create beautiful newborn photographs. My sessions are baby-led and natural, which gives us more flexibility than sessions that rely heavily on specific newborn poses.
You Just Need to Love on Your Baby
Everything about the way I run my newborn sessions is meant to make things easier for you.
You don’t need a perfectly clean house.
You don’t need a baby who sleeps the entire time.
You don’t need to know how to pose.
And you don’t need to have everything figured out.
You just need to show up — which, conveniently, means staying home — and love on your baby.
I’ll guide you through the rest.
If you’re expecting a baby and looking for a relaxed Pittsburgh In-home Newborn Photography Session, I’d love to help you document this season without adding more stress to your plate.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PITTSBURGH IN-HOME NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY HERE
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