The Ultimate Lifestyle Newborn Session Prep Guide

by | Jan 16, 2025 | Locations, Maternity, Motherhood, Newborn, Sessions

Having a New Baby is Enough Stress Without Planning Things!

I know you’re hearing this everywhere you look as a new parent, but… it’s hard. Been there. I know the feeling! There’s a lot going on, and everyone wants to meet the new baby, and you’re taking on new roles as human beings if this is your first… it’s a LOT. And so the last thing you want to do is add in a stressful newborn photo session to your schedule right when you’ve brought baby home.

And I get that. But… this time is only going to come once. When your little one grows and isn’t little anymore, you can’t turn back time. No matter how hard we want to! So even though it can feel like a lot… you should DEFINITELY still have a newborn session.

The good thing, is we can make the whole process easier for you! I’ve outlined the ULTIMATE list of things you need to know about a Minneapolis lifestyle newborn session, so that you can feel completely prepared. Because feeling prepared? It makes everything ten times easier!! And I mean, no one can feel fully prepared for parenthood. So feeling prepared for your newborn session is just kind of a nice little distraction in those first few weeks!

newborn baby boy on white rug wearing white wrap holding moms hand

When to book?

To truly guide you through the process it has to start at the beginning – and I’ve talked about when to book your newborn session before, but as a review… you should book as soon as you know you’ll want one! But BOOKING and SCHEDULING for newborn sessions are actually two different things. Well, that is, unless your little one has already joined the family. Then you’d likely book and schedule at the same time.

But as long as you’re in the maternity phase and you’re waiting for baby to come into the world, book as soon as you know you’re going to want to have a session. Your photographer will ask you a few questions – the most important one, is when your due-date is. That’s what they’re going to use for step two!

When to schedule?

Once you’ve booked a session with your favorite photographer, you’ll have to actually schedule your session. I’ve talked about this before too, but scheduling newborn sessions works a little differently than scheduling other types of sessions. I mean, it kind of HAS to be, since the actual subject of the session (your baby!) may not have joined us yet! So when you book, your photographer will ask for your due date, and then that’s around when you’ll reach out to schedule your session.

When baby joins the family, email/text your photographer and let them know you’re ready to book in your session time! If your photographer doesn’t hear from you around your due date, they’re very likely going to reach out to you. But when you remember it’s time to talk to them… pop through an email! It’ll help make sure you can pick a time that makes the most sense for everyone involved.

Your session will end up scheduled within the first few weeks of baby’s life. There’s a reason for that! Newborns are the squishiest and sleepiest in those first few weeks. After that… they get wigglier and wigglier! And though I TOTALLY recommend having three-month, and six-month milestone sessions for your little one (they change SO MUCH in those first months!!) their newborn session should really be as soon as you can have it, that way we get those sleepy, squishy newborn poses!

newborn baby boy on white rug wearing white wrap focused don his feet

What to Think About Beforehand

If you’re booking a lifestyle newborn session here in Minneapolis, the next thing you’ll start wondering about is how to prep your home, and how much cleaning you’re going to have to do. Lifestyle newborn sessions are a great alternative to in-studio sessions if you’re trying to limit the amount that your little one goes out into the world in their first few weeks, and I totally get that vibe, mama. Protecting your new baby is PARAMOUNT.

But… you do need to do some prep in your home, depending on what you’re going for with your session, so we’ve gotta talk about that!

So, what should you prep in your home before your session?

  • Obviously, your newborn needs to be in your house
  • Make sure your favorite outfits for the baby are clean and ready
  • Set aside any props you want to have used in the session, like sentimental stuffed animals, etc
  • Make sure your home is prepped the way YOU want. That doesn’t mean clean everything top to bottom, but remember, if it’s in the area we’re taking pictures… it’s going to be IN the pictures

The first note there is pretty obvious, you need to be at home at the session time. You, your little one, and anyone else who’s going to be involved in the session! If you’re planning on inviting extended family, make sure you mention that to your photographer beforehand. They need to know, because it helps format the session itself!

Clothes and props for lifestyle newborn sessions need to be provided by you, since photographers with in-studio client closets don’t usually make those closets travel-ready to bring them to your home. So make sure that the clothes you want your little one to wear are ready! The same thing is true for you and anyone else in the session. Make sure you’re ready, and dressed, when your photographer is set to arrive!

You don’t have to do a TON of cleaning, or make sure that your whole house is spotless, or anything. And in fact, depending on the tone you want in your session, that might be the opposite of what you’re going for! Not all newborn sessions (especially lifestyle newborn sessions!) need to be prim and proper and perfectly curated. I’m there to document REAL life. So if things are messy, celebrate it!! We can document the beautiful mess of new motherhood, if that’s what you want. There are no expectations, and YOU are the king of the castle when it comes to the tone of your session! If you want prim and proper, amazing – make sure that your spaces are suitable clean before your photographer gets there. If you’re going for chaos, then… leave it as-is, mama!

Prepping Your Baby

So, once you’ve made sure you’ve got the things you’re going to need collected, and your session is scheduled, there are a couple of pre-session steps for baby, before your photographer meets you in your home. They’re for the morning of your session, and they just help things go smoothly!

Step one, is to make sure that the diaper you use for your little one stays a tiny bit loose the day of the session, and to clothe them in loosely fitting baby clothes that morning, too. The reason for this, is we don’t want any red lines on your little one’s skin during the session, if we decide to do any naked newborn poses while we’re working!

Step two, is to make sure baby is fed just shortly before the session. A full baby is a sleepy baby! It’s not as big of a deal as it is when you’re coming into the studio for an in-studio newborn session, but it’s still a really good idea. It’ll help your photographer pose your little one, if you’re doing any posed images in their cot or crib, and it’ll help with their cooperation with family images, as well!

At-home steps for Family

Baby isn’t the only one who needs to be prepared for your lifestyle newborn session.

YOU also need to be prepared!! And so do any other family members who are going to be there. For you, Mama, I recommend a few things. First, make sure you’ve thought about your outfit. This is an opportunity for you to feel like YOU, or at least as much as you can in those first few weeks. Choose something you love – but that’s also comfy!

One big thing I hear from moms after their session, is that they wish they’d done their nails, because your hands end up in the photos, depending on how your session is structured and the kinds of images you want to have! So I know it’s not the first thing on your mind after bringing a whole human into the world… but consider having a little self-care moment, if you can. Either head to the salon and have your nails done, if that’s your style, or do them yourself! Not only will it make sure that you have extra-pretty hands for your session, but it’s another one of those little things that helps you feel like YOU. And like a real human instead of a milk-machine. If you know you know.

A toddler boy in blue jeans kisses the head of his newborn sibling while they sleep on a bed in a white swaddle

Got more questions?

As long as you follow the instructions above, your lifestyle newborn session will be as smooth as possible! There are always going to be surprises, and that’s okay. But if you have any questions at all, remember you can reach out to your photographer (me?) and we can talk about it! It’s very important to me that you feel completely comfortable with the steps you need to follow before meeting your photographer in your home. A simple session is the BEST session! Especially for new parents.

Jessica Strobel holding multi-colored doughnuts over her eyes, smiling wide

Hey! I'm Jessie - 

And I'm so glad you're here!

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