Featuring Baby Bowie’s Newborn Session

If you’re anything like me, your house looks like a bomb went off most days. If you’re one of those lucky (well, I think you’re lucky) OCD clean people with an immaculate house, I first commend and secondly envy you. But, just for the sake of not feeling like a degenerate, I will assume the majority of us live in situations that are left of tidy. Throw in a newborn baby and recovering from delivery, and it can be even more daunting to think about inviting someone to come into your house to PHOTOGRAPH it.

I'm here to reassure you that a) your house does not need to look perfect and b) I will make sure that I capture your space in a way that represents the love of your new family and not the clutter capturing dust under your dining table.

Here are five steps for preparing your home for a newborn session:

1. First and most importantly, look around your house throughout the day, but specifically during mid-morning to noon to see which areas are brightest. Make sure you also turn off the lights and open all your blinds and curtains when doing this (because that’s the first thing I do when I arrive anyway). I am a natural light photographer and rarely if ever use flash pregnancy (partly because i suck at flash and also because I think it creates an artificial and unattractive flat light light that looks artificial).

That being said, it will be difficult to get beautiful photos in areas of your house that are dark, such as basements, rooms without windows, and darkly painted areas without bright light streaming in. Ideally, I like to shoot sessions in areas with large windows facing north or east, since my indoor newborn sessions take place mid mornings. Take a moment to look around your house and see where the light comes in. See which rooms are brightest and think about how we could use that as a backdrop for your photos.

2. Identify three rooms in your home where we could do your session. Typically, I plan to shoot in the nursery or baby's room, and your bedroom, and then an open public space in the house, often the living room. If you have a quirky Library or a fun space in your home that you would like to shoot in oh, let's make it happen. but in general, hoping to get at least three backdrops. in the case that you live in a small home or an apartment, I can always plan for me to bring a white backdrop and create some studio like images as well. I also recommend looking for a place in your yard that receives light or full shade in the mid morning. I love to capture outdoor shots when and however possible.

3. Now that you've identified your 3 spaces, look for stuff like clutter, random cord lying around, and overall stuff that you would not want in photos that you will look up for the rest of your life. For instance, I doubt you want to include piles of folded clothing in the living room or your pet’s random toys lying all over the place.

4. Pick out what you, your partner, and any other children or family members in your home will wear for the session. After you complete booking your session with me, I send over a wardrobe guide which includes the login info for an online styling tool I've invested in to help you plan a cohesive look for you and your family. Avoid logos, super bright colors that will create an unflattering color cast on your baby's skin, and any type of clothing that makes you feel uncomfortable. This is your newborn session, and you can dress the way that makes you feel your best. If this is a flowy boho dress, I'm all for it. If this is a peasant blouse, jeans, and bare feet, I'm all for that too. I say go for what you’d wear out to casual lunch with your friends.

5. This is is an unexpected and yet I think important tip to prepare for your newborn session. Prep your home to make you feel cozy and relaxed. Find a candle with a scent that puts you at east, create a playlist of music that makes you feel relaxed, add some beautiful flowers in a vase on your table, etc. Warm up your space with things that make you feel good and that you can enjoy during our session. If you want me to bring you some coffee, let me know! My number one goal is to get beautiful pictures of you but my close second goal is to make your newborn session as relaxed and easy going as possible.

Now that you have a better idea of how to prepare for your session, I hope you feel less overwhelmed by the prospect of it. Listen, I live in a super messy home. I know how to move shit out of the way if i have to. I don’t mind moving your shit out of the way to make your life a bit easier.