Why I Prefer Your Home Over A Studio for Newborn Sessions
Studios can be perfect for photo sessions no matter what the photographer’s style is and what kind of session they are doing. Everything is controlled to achieve the look they are going for, the look you are probably hiring them for. From lighting, to colors… for many photographers, this setting is the only way to go. Heck, maybe one day I will own a studio myself. While I love how I do things now, I won’t say I will never do something in my business. However, there is something about having a newborn session at a family’s home that is more emotive and meaningful to me.
When I think back to those early weeks after bringing my newborn home, the thought of leaving the house, let alone looking presentable while leaving the house, was something I couldn’t even fathom. I know postpartum is different for every new mom, and every family may have a different experience when a new baby is present, but I also know that, like me, many new moms would prefer anything that is easier over more complicated during this time.
It is so much easier on you!
No matter what mental state you are in after giving birth, having me come to you is soooo much easier than having to not only get yourself ready, but make sure everyone is ready on time (and if you have other children, we all know how stressful it can be to get everyone out the door on time), make sure you have everything you need for that new baby, and then drive however long it will take you to get to a studio. When you are beyond sleep deprived, trying to figure out your new role as a mom, maybe trying to figure out breastfeeding, you’re sore, maybe in pain, uncomfortable, sweaty, and/or don’t know how you will find the time to shower, let alone do hair and make-up or even eat a full meal while it’s still hot, going somewhere for a photoshoot can sound dreadful. And while I can make it look like you had a perfect morning, my mama heart knows that it was probably more stressful than not. I take pride in my sessions being stress free for families. It is much easier for me to pack up my gear and come to you than it is for you to pack up your whole newborn life to come to me.
Your home is uniquely yours.
My goal for all my newborn sessions is to tell your story and your life with your new baby. While this can certainly be done at a studio, what tells your story more than your own cozy home? If you are anything like me, you have taken the time to make your house a home where your family looks forward to ending every busy day. Your memories are on the walls, the furniture you picked out is where you eat, sleep, lounge, play with your children, cry, break down, make up, make more babies… Your style is everywhere from the way you choose to organize, to the colors on the walls, to all the textiles you have throughout. And let’s not forget about the nursery. Sometimes it’s a corner of your room, and it’s the sweetest little corner of your home, and sometimes is the only room in your house that looks like it’s out of a magazine because you spent nine months planning, painting, building and creatively making it perfect for you and your babe. However you choose to make space for baby items in your home, is special because you put your heart into creating a peaceful space for you and your new baby. It is a space where you will rock, feed, sing to, read to, change diapers and eventually, where you will lay your baby to sleep for the first time and you will cry as you watch through the baby monitor.
Your home is special even if you don’t think it is because you never finished renovating, haven’t bought the new table yet, don’t like your bedroom furniture anymore or haven’t had time to clean up the messes because you’ve been busy with a newborn.
“But my house is so dark and/or small”
Does your house have a few windows? Good! That is all I need. While lots of natural light is ideal, my camera and I can handle lower light scenarios. I don’t need giant, open spaces either. I’m there to tell your story, not to send photos to a home & garden magazine. Chances are, your house has at least one room with good enough lighting. My main focus is the connection between you and your loved ones, not whether or not your home is magazine worthy.
If you love the idea of not having to leave your house during those first few weeks, then an in-home newborn session is perfect for you! Don’t let the stress of having to go somewhere keep you from getting a newborn session, because the truth is, it is over in the blink of an eye!
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Xoxo,
Natalie
