Selecting the location for your newborn photos can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. There are essentially 3 choices:
Your home
A studio space
Outdoors
Option 1: Your Home
This is the ultimate location for lifestyle photos. “Lifestyle” photography means documentary-style portraits, capturing candid and authentic moments. Your photographer will be able to guide you into poses that look beautiful in photos. She will help you find the best places in your home for portraits of baby and the whole family - usually the areas in your home with the most natural light. Taking photos in your home also provides you the opportunity to capture shots of your baby’s nursery, and all the little details of life at home with your newborn. Parents and siblings can relax and take breaks, utilizing all the comforts of home, and all your pets have the chance to be included.
If your home gets minimal natural light, or the idea of inviting someone into your own space stresses you out, this option might not be for you.
Planning to shoot at your home? Check out this blog post about How to Prepare For Lifestyle Newborn Portraits at Home.
Option 2: Studio Space
Shooting at a studio space can eliminate the stress of welcoming someone into your home in the midst of newborn chaos. If you live in a home with little natural light, or are uncomfortable with the idea of photos at home, this will be your best option.
Some photographers have their own studio space, especially those who take traditional posed photos of baby. If extravagant backdrops and formal, posed photos of baby with lots of props is your jam, you will probably need to take photos at your photographer’s studio.
If your photographer does not have a studio space, you can look for a studio rental space - most offer space to rent by the hour, or even the half hour. Some are designed to look like a home, and some are designed with minimal decor and furniture, so you can find one that really matches your vibe.
Option 3: Outdoors
COVID precautions in 2020 made outdoor newborn photography much more common. This option eliminates the need to have someone in your home or needing to worry about studio space. You will want to work with your photographer to figure out a location that will fit with the intimacy and sweetness needed for a newborn session - a location that will allow everyone to relax and still allows the baby to be the focus of the portraits.
Outdoor sessions can have a few drawbacks, especially for newborn sessions. Weather will have to be on your side - if it’s too hot, too cold, or too wet, that might be a miserable experience for everyone.
I hope you feel ready for a successful newborn photoshoot! If you have any questions, or tips you think I forgot, let me know!
And remember, you’re doing a great job mama.
*One quick note on hiring newborn photographers. I am all about hiring new photographers who are just starting out - they get experience and practice, you get a discount, everyone wins! I was in this position once myself, so I totally get it. However, I do not recommend hiring a friend or amateur photographer for newborn photographs. These photos are often taken indoors, not in a studio environment, with less-than-ideal lighting. You want to hire a photographer who knows how to use the available lighting in the best ways, and (most importantly) knows how to safely handle your baby. It’s worth spending a little extra for the pro in this situation, I promise.