While lifestyle newborn sessions are pretty easy on you and your family, there is some prep work involved in getting your home and family ready for your session. Before we dive into that, let’s talk about wardrobe so you can get that planned out first.
Lifestyle Newborn Wardrobe
When you sign your lifestyle newborn contract with me, you’ll receive an access code to begin using my wardrobe styling service. Please visit Style & Select and enter the access code I’ve provided for you. There will be a section with my “Client Closet” pieces that are available to borrow from me. For all other items that aren’t in my closet, you’ll receive links to personally purchase each piece, or you can just use it as a guide to shop stores (and your closet) on your own.
Whites, neutrals, and Earth tones are wonderfully dreamy and help set the tone for a light and airy gallery.
Baby
Baby typically looks best wrapped up in a blanket or wearing a well-fitting gown or set (Lou Lou & Company) or a plain white onesie (H&M has a great kimono style onesie).
Mamas
Resist the urge to put the whole family in blue because it’s your safe color, your eyes are blue, or you have a baby boy. I suggest dressing yourself and the rest of the family in light, Earthy neutral colored clothing that coordinates each other and has minimal patterns and logos. Moms are often not in a rush to put on a pair of pants so soon after delivery, so my client closet features many beautiful gowns that are postpartum-friendly. While there are many dresses to choose from, don’t feel like you have to go this route. A comfy sweater or top and jeans or leggings work perfectly fine for a casual, homey vibe. If you feel most comfortable in blue jeans, I recommend you are the only one wearing them.
Daddies
Males look great in a basic tee or henley, and all family members should be barefoot if possible. Brown, olive green, or tan cords, jeans, khakis, or linen pants are some other alternatives to blue jeans. If dad insists on an outfit with blue jeans, please have him be the only one.
House Prep
Now let’s move on to the house. There is just a small amount of prep needed before your lifestyle session. Please plan for me to use at least one or two rooms with great natural light. If you’re unsure of the lighting, send me a picture of the rooms you’re considering and I’ll let you know my thoughts!
It’s helpful for clutter to be cleared off the dressers, floors, nightstand, etc., before the session. The best rooms to tell the story of your new baby are typically the nursery and your bedroom (ideally on a white or very light/neutral bedspread. If you don’t have a white cover, plain white sheets by themselves works great!)
Sometimes I’ll utilize other rooms throughout the house if the light is too good to pass up. When I arrive, we can decide where the best locations will be (it could even be the family room, dining room, stairway, sibling’s room, etc).
Baby Prep
I ask that you turn off the AC and/or turn on the heat before I arrive. A warm cozy baby is a happy sleepy baby! Even though it’s not essential for a beautiful lifestyle session, a sleeping baby does allow us to not only take up less of your day but also avoid a gallery full of crossed newborn eyes 😉
Additionally, ensuring they haven’t just woken from a previous nap is ideal. A stimulating bath 30 minutes before the session is usually a good way to encourage sleep throughout the session.
I suggest you give him/her a good feed just before we begin your session. This way baby will have a nice full tummy and will likely fall asleep just as we are ready to start the session.
After the lifestyle newborn session
Once our session is complete, I have the pleasure of selecting my very favorite images from the session to provide you with your proof gallery. You’ll select the images you’d like to include in your final gallery, and you always have the option to add on more to your package.
I will edit each of those beautiful images for your collection in the following four weeks after you’ve made your selections. Once you receive your images, you are welcome to print them the through the lab of your choice or order directly from my pro lab within your gallery for your convenience.
Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions about preparing your home or your family for your session. I can’t wait to capture this special time in your lives!
xo, Alyssum
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALYSSUM, LLC, IS A NEWBORN, BABY, MATERNITY, AND FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER LOCATED IN CASTLE ROCK, CO, AND IS CURRENTLY SERVING DOUGLAS COUNTY, JEFFERSON COUNTY, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CASTLE ROCK, LARKSPUR, HIGHLANDS RANCH, LITTLETON, CENTENNIAL, DENVER, AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. CONTACT TO SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION.
