This recent newborn session at a client’s Dallas home has me swooning! Everything from the canopy bed to the natural lighting to the beautiful bond this family shares was so perfect. I’m excited to shoot more in-home newborn sessions this year!

If you’re hoping for newborn photos that embrace the peace and excitement of welcoming your baby into your home, here are my tips for preparing your home and your family for a photography session! With these easy steps, your in-home session can be a breeze! 

Prep Your Wardrobe:

As always, light pastels and neutrals photograph best, especially for a newborn session where you want a peaceful aesthetic. Don’t worry about dressing baby up, as most clothes will be too bulky for newborns. A simple swaddle and diaper are all you need. For Momma, you can make an appointment to try on dresses from the client closet, or you can select 3 to 5 from the list and I can bring them to you on the day of your session. This momma is wearing a Nothing Fits But dress from my exclusive client closet.

Declutter

You don’t have to deep clean your entire home for the session—I’m a mom too, so I know a messy home is usually a happy home, especially as you’re welcoming a newborn! But it’s a great idea to declutter the room or rooms where the session will take place. If the session will be in the primary bedroom, clear off the bedside tables and remove anything you don’t want photographed. If we’re photographing the nursery, remove the diaper pail and any dirty clothes. Less is more when it comes to accessories and decorations. This momma went above and beyond and got fresh flowers to put on her bedside table the day of the session!

Choose White for the Backdrops

Obviously, don’t repaint your bedroom for that neutral aesthetic. But it can be a great idea to switch out your bedspread and pillow shams with white ones. This will help reflect the natural light and brighten up the whole space. White accents for the nursery will have a similar effect.

Keep Baby Happy

As a mom of three, I know newborns are unpredictable, which is why I’m always willing to pause a session to let you feed a hungry baby (or even include nursing in the session depending on your comfort level). But it’s often helpful to feed and change baby beforehand so that he or she is content and more likely to sleep through the session.

Prep Other Littles 

There’s nothing I cherish more than capturing the love of a whole family. If you have older children, they are more than welcome to join the session. Like with baby, just make sure their tummies are full, and, for toddlers, try to schedule your session at a time that won’t interfere with their nap. It can even be helpful to hire a sitter or ask a family member to stand by during the session just in case we need an extra hand with toddlers—that way, when it comes time for pictures of just Mom, Dad, and baby, there’s someone to entertain the older kids.

I hope these simple steps help make your DFW in-home newborn session relaxing and enjoyable! This will be your chance to sit back and cherish a few peaceful moments with your baby while I capture all the sweetness.