Choosing to document your new little love in their first home is such a beautiful gift to give them. One day they’ll be able to see the beautiful nursery you planned so carefully and just how tiny they were in that crib that now seems so small. The photographs we’ll create during our time together are truly heirlooms that will be treasured and enjoyed by your family for generations to come.

Here I share my tips to help ensure a smooth session and a beautiful gallery of images.

Wardrobe:

I’d suggest planning your wardrobe in advance, as you’ll have your hands full when baby arrives. All of my clients receive access to my client wardrobe, which is a curated selection of dresses for new mothers and young children up to age 3. I’m happy to bring up to 5 dresses to your home for your in-home session. You can choose your favorites by browsing my online gallery of dresses or scrolling through my Instagram feed, which can be more helpful as you get a better sense of how the dresses lay or fit. You’re also more than welcome to stop by the studio before or after baby arrives to see the dresses if you’d like. If you’d prefer to shop or pull from your own closet, I’d just suggest a light-colored dress with a flowing skirt that will allow you to sit and lay comfortably.

If you have any older children and would like to borrow from my children’s wardrobe, just tell me their gender/size and I can add some options to bring to your home.

For Dad, I’d suggest something simple and neutral. I recommend avoiding patterns/heathered pieces and Polo-style collars. Generally something like chinos and a fine knit will coordinate with you perfectly and look cozy and relaxed as he spends time with baby in the comfort of your home.

Babies are either wrapped comfortably in a muslin swaddle or in a simple, white onesie or cozy knit. I have all of these pieces and will bring them with me. If you have a lovely heirloom piece you’d like to include for baby, of course, let’s use that!

You’ll all be barefoot, so no need to worry about shoes.

Hair and Makeup:

As a new mom, it can be such a relief to have someone help you prepare for our time together. I’m happy to provide names of some very talented women who I know will help you feel beautiful and confident. They generally ask for about 2 hours of time and are happy to come to your home. Their fee is separate from mine and you’ll coordinate payment with them directly. If you know you want to work with one of them, just let me know and I’m happy to coordinate with them if you’d like, or of course you can work with anyone you love to help you prepare.

Preparing Your Home:

We’ll want your home to be nice and warm to keep baby comfortable, so don’t forget to bump the heat up in your home on the morning of your session. Something like 72-74 degrees will keep baby happy.

I’d recommend making sure your countertops and nightstands are cleared off so there are no distractions. Some families choose to add some light, fresh florals for an added softness and I find this is the perfect job to hand off to any grandmas who might be in town visiting.

We’ll spend our morning surrounded by natural light only, so having your artificial lights turned off can be helpful as we get started.

Session Day:

I’d suggest feeding baby just before I arrive and having him/her swaddled in just a diaper so it’s fairly easy to dress him/her when I arrive. If there are any older siblings, we typically spend time together as a whole family and then just the siblings. This way, any older siblings are free to go early. It can be helpful to have a grandparent or trusted caregiver on hand to make sure big brothers and sisters feel special and cared for so you can have some time to focus on baby as we finish. Of course, we work on baby’s schedule – we take breaks along the way to feed and soothe baby – you should never feel rushed!

After Your Session:

You can expect to receive your final gallery within 2 weeks of our time together. Once you receive your images, you’ll be able to order wall art and individual prints directly from my lab right in your gallery. If you choose to preserve your images in an heirloom album, you can simply reach out and we can start the design process right away. These albums are a favorite way to enjoy and preserve your images and make wonderful gifts for new grandparents as well!

I’m always so honored to be invited into this intimate space with you and your family. I can’t wait to see you with a new baby in your arms! Reach out as soon as baby is here so we can coordinate a specific date and time when baby is still fresh (we’ll meet when baby is 5-14 days old). Of course, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions along the way!