How to prepare your home for a lifestyle newborn session - without exhausting yourself.

As a Bend newborn photographer, one of the most common worries I hear from parents is whether their home is “photo ready”. The early days with a newborn baby are often busy, quiet, and sleepless all at once. Contrary to what you might think about needing a clean home for newborn photos (or photos that you might have seen on Pinterest), you do not have to have a perfectly clean home for a lifestyle newborn photography session.

In fact - as your photographer - I urge you to not break yourself over a clean home. Here in Bend, many families choose in-home newborn photos because they allow everyone to settle into a slower pace together. Don’t break that cozy rhythm just for the sake of ‘perfect photos’. Rather, we want to strategically make your home feel comfortable and ready for your lifestyle newborn photo session.

How much should you clean before newborn photos?

Spot clean your home for photos - don’t clean everything. Seriously, don’t clean your entire home before newborn photos. I did that once (ooof), and though the home was beautiful - we used a fraction of it for our photos. You’re already going to be tired from caring for your tiny little babe - save your extra energy for the camera and go easy on the cleaning.

Pro tip: A little vacuuming goes a long way. Toss the dirty dishes in the sink, dirty laundry into a closet, and we’re ready to go.

Family laughing together with toddler and newborn baby on staircase, in-home newborn session by Elise Souders, photographer

Clear the clutter out of the frame.

Note that I said, “out of the frame” - not “tidy your house.” Do not try to pick up all the toys your toddler threw around. Do not worry about the dog toys scattered on the floor. Those are details of your life that make a photo look lived-in and natural. In fact, these are often the same kinds of details families later tell me they love seeing in their family photos years down the road.

Instead, think about anything you would really not like in a photo - like a big dog kennel or kitchen trash can. These are the things that we don’t want in the frame. And (even better), when you work with me - these are the things that I help you identify and move prior to taking your photos. So, if you’re scanning your home thinking, "I don't know what I would move”, well, I’ve got you covered.

Black and white image of mother holding newborn baby on a large window seat, in-home newborn photograph by Elise Souders, Bend, Oregon

How to keep your baby comfortable during newborn photos.

Newborn babies have difficulty regulating their body temperatures. If they’re too cold, they may cry and not rest well. If your home is a comfortable temperature for your baby, however, they will likely sleep easily and feel comfortable not being in a swaddle the entire time. This is important for getting cozy shots together, as well as capturing those tiny details of your newborn that will change quickly.

Raise the temperature on your thermostat a few degrees for baby’s comfort, and then style the rest of the family to feel comfortable in that temperature, too. And if your baby does start crying, it’s okay. There’s flexibility in an in-home newborn photo session to take time to soothe your fussy babe.

Pro tip: In the winter, have your thermostat set to 71 or 72 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, set your thermostat to 74 or 75 degrees.

Detail of husband and wife with entwined hands, laying on their bed with their baby girl, in-home newborn photo Bend, Oregon by Elise Souders, photographer

What to have ready for your newborn photo session.

One of the biggest benefits of doing a newborn session in your home (not in a studio) is that you have access to your entire stash of baby gear and snacks. Even so, it’s a smart idea to have a few things prepped and ready to go so that transitions or needs can be handled smoothly during your session.

Think about everything that would be most important to have if someone is hungry, there’s a dirty diaper, there’s a diaper blow-out, baby spits up, or you have an older sibling (or siblings) joining in the session. Those are the things you’ll want easily reachable during your session.

The quick list of what you need handy during newborn photos: pacifiers, burp cloths, swaddles, snacks for everyone (especially toddlers), changes of clothes for everyone (yes, everyone), diapers, water to drink, and bottles (if bottle feeding).

How colors in your home affect newborn photos.

Color affects both the emotional feeling and lighting quality of your newborn photos more than most people realize. Most homes fall into three categories when it comes to feeling and decor: light and bright, bold and bright, or somewhere in the middle (think pops of color).

Take a moment to look around your home. Do you have a lot of light colored furniture, dark colored furniture, or brightly colored furniture? What about your walls? How about accessories? These are all part of the feeling of your home, and lend themselves to your identity as a family unit. We don’t want to erase these things in favor of a particular photo aesthetic. Rather, we want to use them appropriately to support your newborn session with beautiful resulting photos.

White and light colored living spaces.

White and light colored living spaces will bounce light back onto you for clean, beautiful looking lighting in your newborn photos. (Huzzah!) This is an easy win for your photographer to set you up in your home. No need to do much here - just be aware of this advantage.

White and Light colored home accessories or furnishings.

These furnishings are easy to work with because they are like blank slates. But since they are white or lightly colored, you want to keep that in mind for your outfit styling for your newborn photos. Do you want to blend in with your home, or pop a little? (hint: my preference is always to have people pop in the photos). With this in mind, ensure you choose clothing that has some color and pattern to it. No sense in everyone blending into a white couch or carpet!

Bold or bright colored living spaces.

Colors are totally fine in living spaces (I personally love seeing individuality as your photographer), but you might need a photographer that is skilled with working with colors and lighting to balance it. Keeping that in mind, it’s a good idea to counter these bright colors with lightly colored clothing for yourselves. Also take note of where your windows are in your home and where the most sunlight comes into your house. Following the natural light is a great way to be able to capture those beautiful colors you’ve chosen for your home without overwhelming your family for the newborn photos. After all, you still want your baby to be the star of the show!

Pro tip: If in doubt, put a set of white sheets on your master bed. It’s a cozy space to photograph your family, and white sheets will reflect clean light onto your faces.

New parents laughing while changing their baby's clothes, in-home newborn session Bend, Oregon by Elise Souders, photographer

Lighting do’s and dont’s: best natural lighting for in-home newborn photos

Lighting plays a huge role in photographing a newborn session well. Clean, bright light will shine beautifully on skin and make everyone glow. Harsh overhead lighting or extremely warm-tone lighting, however, can really throw a session off. Here are your quick tips for getting the lighting right in your home.

Turn off overhead lights.

All overhead lighting needs to be turned off - every single one. (I mean it.) Overhead lighting is the least flattering of all types of lighting, so any lighting hanging above your head or nestled in the ceiling goes off. (You will thank me later. I promise.)

Open all curtains, blinds, and shades.

As much as possible, let all the natural daylight into your home. Open all curtains, blinds, and shades to let that beautiful sunshine in. Additionally, be clear to communicate with your photographer about what type of lighting they want to work with - and find out what time of day that happens in your home.

Your home does not need to be perfect to hold meaningful memories. The beauty of an in-home newborn session is that it captures this season exactly as it feels — the slow mornings, the tiny details, the way your family settles into one another. If you’re looking for a Bend newborn photographer who will gently guide you through the process while documenting your family honestly and naturally, I’d love to connect with you.