Welcome, mamas-to-be in the Oakland area! As you look ahead to your new bundle of joy and plan your newborn photos, it’s essential for me to give you as much guidance as possible. We want this Lifestyle Newborn Session experience to be cherished for many years to come.
Through my deep knowledge of creating photo sessions that capture once-in-a-lifetime moments, I can ensure your session is everything you envisioned.
So today, let’s dive into a few tips on how best to prepare for your Oakland-based lifestyle newborn photography session.
An Overview of Lifestyle Newborn Sessions – What to Expect
Lifestyle newborn sessions involve taking photos of your new baby while they are in their natural environment. A lifestyle session means rather than setting up a studio background and props, baby is photographed in your arms within your home or other familiar settings that speak to the unique connection between you and your little one.
It also means I will capture all the little details, like tiny toes, cuddles with Mom and Dad, sleepy yawns, and much more. It’s important to understand these photos will reflect your family during this special time in your lives – so plan accordingly!
No Posing, No Props
Since lifestyle newborn photography is all about capturing the moments as they happen, there will be no “posed” or “staged” shots during your session. There won’t be any props either, save for the baby’s blanket, perhaps – the focus should remain on baby and the connection between you and your little one.
Selection of Clothing
For the session, select clothing to make you and your partner feel comfortable. Don’t worry about matching precisely – ensure the colors work well together and look nice in photos. It is also helpful to make different types of outfits available for a few outfit changes during the session.
For the baby, choose something soft, cozy, and comfortable. It will be helpful to have a couple of options available, too – just in case of any accidents!
Try to avoid large logos, stripes, and other distracting patterns.
How much Time to Allot for a Lifestyle Newborn Session?
Remember, a lifestyle newborn session is an organic experience—there’s no set time allotment. These sessions are baby led, so planning for an hour or two is essential if the baby needs more time to settle into the session.
From past experiences, these sessions can take anywhere from one to two hours.
Tips for Preparing for a Lifestyle Newborn Session
Once you’ve booked the session, here are some tips for preparing for your Oakland-based lifestyle newborn photography session:
- Create a relaxed atmosphere in the room where we will be shooting. Make sure it is comfortable, warm, and inviting.
- Have all clothing options (for both parents and baby) ready.
- Make sure to have plenty of diapers, wipes, and clean-up supplies on hand.
- Have a bottle or nursing pillow ready for any feeding during the session.
- If you’d like to incorporate any special items during the session, also have them available.
- Let your baby’s needs be the guide—we’ll work around what baby needs and wants!
I hope these tips prepare you for your Oakland-based lifestyle newborn photography session. I’m excited to meet you and your little one soon!
If you have any questions about how you should prepare for a session, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m here to help in any way as we create these special memories together!
Best wishes,
Leigh Ann – Your Oakland, CA, Family and Newborn Photographer, serving perfectly imperfect families throughout the Bay Area.
P.S. — Be sure to signup below for my monthly newsletter, where you will get tips and tricks for capturing your own adventures with your family and early access to my shoot dates.
