In-Home Family Photos with a New Baby

Worried you waited too long to take newborn photos?

You may have heard that newborn photos need to happen when your child is under 3 weeks old. While this is true for wrapped, posed newborn portraits, we can still create magical photos of your newborn and family after that 3 week period, we will just gear your session towards lifestyle newborn photos.

what are lifestyle photos?

By definition, "Lifestyle photography is a genre of photography that mainly aims to capture portraits of people in situations, real-life events, or milestones in an artistic manner. The primary goal is to tell stories about people's lives or to inspire people at different times."- Wikipedia. In simply terms, candid photos, taken in a natural environment captured in an artistic way.

What would lifestyle newborn photos look like?

If you would like strictly lifestyle family newborn photos, these can be taken at any age or time. This would mean, documenting your new family member being held by mom, dad, and siblings for the majority of the session. Very little newborn portraits will happen in a lifestyle newborn session as I will focus more on the whole family but I will try my best to capture a few, unwrapped photos of baby. The newborn will not be swaddled or posed by me as this can only be done when they are under 21 days old.

CAN OUR other children BE IN the PHOTOS?

I understand that this may not be your first child, whether this is your first or sixth child, they deserve to be captured and your whole family can be included in these photos. I come from a large family myself: 3 siblings and 15 nieces and nephews so large families do not intimate me, in fact, they bring me so much joy! If you have other children, I recommend that you prep them for our session. Talk to them about meeting me, tell I am coming to capture and celebrate their new sibling and prep them to listen well to my instructions. Often times, children have a hard time adjusting to new siblings. This often means that they may "act out" when they normally wouldn't, that's ok. I promise that I will be patient and understanding.

Newborn PORTRAITS without being posed?

Though this is a lifestyle newborn session, I try to capture a handful of portraits of your new addition. I do this by taking close up while your new baby is being held, as well as using my props. To every lifestyle newborn session I bring a moses basket and a dock-a-tot. I love using these "props" to take photos of babies who are too old to be wrapped. They are also a great way to get older siblings involved in the photos.

why should i schedule newborn photos?

The most important reason is because they will never be this little again. Children grow faster than weeds, before long they will be holding their head up, that adorable baby fat, sitting up, crawling and next thing you know they are a toddler. A photo is the best way to stop time and remember this precious season forever. One thing that you can never do is reverse time, but, you can look back at photos and reminisce on how tiny their toes were and their little peach fuzz.

What is the difference between one photographer and the other?

You want to hire the best photographer in Michigan so why should you choose Becks Photography?  As an Oakland County newborn photographer I highly prioritize 3 things: health and safety, comfort, a quick gallery delivery and experience.

1. The health and safety of your newborn is my number 1 priority. I have spent 5 years of my adult life as a full time nanny and over those 5 years have helped raise 6 newborns. I have also taken multiple courses on safe newborn handling in addition to 2 course on newborn wrapping and posing for photography. I promise to reschedule your session if I am feeling under the weather in the slightest. I wash my hands upon arrival of your home, as well as offer to wear a mask. My newborn outfits and wraps are washed in between each client as well.
2. You just had a baby, you should be comfortable. The thought of added stress, responsibly, and discomfort a week or two after giving birth is super unpleasant. That's why I prioritize comfort for my clients. When a newborn photographer comes to your home, you don't have to worry about packing the diaper bag and loading the car. I bring everything to you. This is especially helpful if you have multiple children. Whether you are located in Rochester Hills, Troy, Sterling Heights, Clawson or Royal Oak, I will travel to you.
3. I know how it feels to wait in anxious expectation for your photos to arrive and I cannot imagine how much that increases when you want to announce your new baby. I promise to deliver your gallery in a timely manner. I work my absolute hardest to get your gallery to you within 2 weeks. In the winter months of January-April, I can often times deliver your gallery in just 1 week.
4. Before taking on photography full time, I spent 7 year as a full time nanny. Over those 7 years, I helped raise 6 newborns. So to say that I have experience with newborns is an understatement. I also have 5 years experience as a photographer. These two skill combined had really shaped me to be the newborn photographer that I am today.

DO WE HAVE TO USE OUR HOME?

No, but I do highly recommend it. The photos be taken in the comfort of your home an we all know how important comfort is after giving birth. In-home photos are so personal and intimate. Not only are we capturing your baby, surrounded by family but in the house they will be raised in. If you have other children, using your home is a safe space for them in a new situation. They can come in and out of photos as they please. If you are not comfortable using your home, the outdoors or renting a studio are both options as well.

Prepping your home for photos

Taking photos in your home involves less prep than you may think. Please understand that you just gave birth so I do not want you to put a lot of pressure and stress on yourself to make your house look perfect. We can use any part of your house that you'd like but my advice is to choose a room or two and only tidy up those rooms. Most families want to use the nursery, some also like to include the living room or the master bedroom. This is completely up to you but I'll help you make the decision... what room in your house do you find the most joy in? What room have you decorated perfectly to fit your style, and you're happy with being in photos? What room is large enough to comfortably fit your family? Choose those rooms and only worried about them. I promise I will not judge your for the state of your home.

Oftentimes my clients have parents or in-laws who are more than willing to help. Do not hesitate to ask them to come over the day of your session to help you tidy up the room(s) that you choose. Often, a quick vacuum, picking up toys and fluffing pillows is all that it takes to get your home ready for photos. If you don't have anyone to help you tidy up and it's overwhelming for you, please reach out to me I am more than willing to arrive 15 minutes early and help you tidy up.

What if my baby won't stop crying?

I know what you're thinking: this all sounds great, but what if my baby won't stop crying? First and foremost, don't stress. Believe it or not, your babies can sense stress and have a hard time relaxing if you are not relaxed. I promise to be patient with your family. If you need to take a half hour and feed them, that's ok, I can sit and chat or give you some privacy. If you need to change a blowout, don't stress it, I'll grab the extra outfit and diaper. I'm here to help you and I promise you that I'm not worried about how long it takes. Take the time to love on your baby and calm them down, I'm not in a rush.

CHOOSING OUTFITS

When it comes to choosing outfits for your in-home photos, don't stress! Once you have booked your session I provide you with an extensive style guide to help you choose outfits. Generally speaking, it is best not to match the tones in your home but to choose muted earth tones that compliment your decor. You do NOT want to choose the same tones as your walls or couch but you could wear a darker or lighter tone of the same color. Solid colors in muted earth tones are best, and try to avoid patterns and incorporate textures and layers. We can talk about that more later!

When will we get our photos back?

Once our session is over I will begin editing your photos. When I'm done editing them I will deliver them to you in an online gallery from which you can download your photos in high resolution and keep them forever. I work my hardest to get your photos back to you as soon as possible. It can take me anywhere from 5-21 days to edit your photos. I know how excited you are to announce your new little one so I try to prioritize editing newborn photos as quickly as possible.

What can we do with our photos?

Anything you wish! I highly recommend downloading your photos and then storing them on an external hard drive so that you can keep these images forever. You can easily share these photos on social media or with friends and family. You can also print them as many times is you'd like! The best thing about an in-home newborn photoshoot is that you are able to share the love, joy, and emotion of your new arrival with friends and family around the entire globe. Once you receive your photos, you can simply forward the email to anyone you wish to share the photos with and they too can download and print the images.

Printing your newborn photos

I have found that printing photos from your newborn photoshoot is something that is so easy to procrastinate. As a newborn photographer I want more than anything for you to fill your home with photos from our session. That is why I have made it so easy for you to print your photos. I have an online print lab attached to your album. It's simple and quick for you to choose your favorite photos and have them delivered to your home. It's not easy to get out of the house with a newborn which is why I have made it so that you don't have to. If you'd like to print your photos somewhere local, I recommend Woodward Camera in Birmingham, Michigan.

Please reach out if you have any questions, I hope to see you soon!

Becks