Newborn Studio Vs. Lifestyle Sessions

Those tiny fingers cradling squishy cheeks, those sweet little toes poking through a curled up little naked body of a new baby; these are the images most associated with newborn photography, but this is not your only option.

Most of the newborn images you'll find here on my website were photographed in my home studio. I have lots of tie backs, lighting equipment, blankets, bean bag, props, wraps, backdrop stands, and camera gear that I use to create these treasured images. But there is another option for those wanting a less posed look: newborn lifestyle sessions.

 For a newborn lifestyle session, I come to your home with my camera only. We focus more on your baby within his/her environment, capturing the raw emotion of your family with your newborn baby. The posing is more relaxed, natural, and family focused. The background is your home whether it be your bedroom, nursery, living room, or even the kitchen.

PROS OF LIFESTYLE SESSION:

• You can stay within the comforts of your home
• Takes less time because no posing
• Can be taken easier with older babies (ones over 2 weeks old)
• Older siblings can be more involved
• Makes a great album for your coffee table

CONS OF LIFESTYLE SESSION:

• You'll need to have a room with good window light and choose an appropriate time to accommodate that light. A room with neutral tones works best
• You'll need to have that room tidy and ready to be photographed (which can be a difficult task with a new baby)
• It's harder to get those artistic images for your walls
• The home environment might cause distractions in your photos that take away from the natural beauty of your new baby.

Although lifestyle sessions are gaining popularity, studio sessions can be timeless and classic. The focus is on every little detail of your little one's face. I pose them in the most flattering way, so you can see these distinct characteristics that make your baby unique; characteristics that change as they grow and ones that stay the same all through their lives.

PROS OF STUDIO SESSION:

• You'll have artistic styled prints that hang beautifully on your walls
• No cleaning of your own home
• Lighting is controlled so we can work around you and your baby's schedule instead of the sunlight
• Images will be more consistent because of controlled light and environment
• You can sit and relax during the session while I photograph your baby (no hosting)

CONS OF STUDIO SESSION:

• You'll have to pack up your baby, carseat, and diaper bag essentials to bring to the studio
• For best results, I like to photograph babies in studio within the first 5-11 days

So when deciding what style is right for you, consider this:

• How do you plan on displaying your images? art for the walls OR an album
• What do you want the focus of the images to be? capturing your baby's unique features OR interactions within your family
• What style would you want to look back on in 10 years? something that shows life and the styles as it was OR classic and timeless portraits of your baby

Both lifestyle and studio sessions are a beautiful way to celebrate and capture the very beginnings of your little one's life.  Both have pros and cons and only you can decide which is best for you. Either way, I'm so honored to be a part of your celebration and hope to give you images that you and your family will cherish.