"Lifestyle" newborn sessions mean something different to everyone . . .


So in this blog post, I'll specifically going over what my lifestyle newborn sessions look like, what to expect, and how to better prepare for them. I'll also be showcasing some highlights from some of my newborn sessions that I've done.

The goal of a lifestyle newborn session is to capture your family and new baby in a natural way.


For lifestyle newborn sessions, I will typically come to your home and capture your baby and family in natural poses when your baby is 7-10 days old (although I've done "newborn" sessions with babies up to 3 months old). Other options for locations are outdoors if the weather permits, or a studio available for rental in Hibbing, which will cost an additional $100. I do not pose or swaddle your baby, nor will I bring any specialty posing or studio equipment with me (like you'd expect with a studio newborn photographer). I will bring a flash, which I end up using about half of the time, but I prioritize natural light when I can. These sessions are usually very relaxed, with no time or image limit, so if you need to take a break to feed or change your baby - no worries at all. The typical length of the session is 1-2 hours.

"Natural posing" does not mean "no posing."


A lot of people feel nervous about "natural posing" because they think it means they won't be given any direction; this isn't the case at all! For lifestyle newborn sessions, I typically spend the first few minutes assessing which areas of your house will work best in terms of lighting, decor, composition, and colors. Then, I'll tell you how to pose, but I'll stick to more natural poses. I'm going to be upfront and say that if your goal is that "classic studio newborn session" look, I'm probably not the photographer for you (and that's okay!).

"What should I wear for my baby's lifestyle newborn session?"


In general, my answer to this question is simple: neutrals, neutrals, neutrals! If you’re ever in doubt, go with lighter neutral colors. White, beige, tan… anything in that color range. These are very flattering with skin tones and work well for this session type. If you’d like to incorporate color, I’d suggest choosing more muted tones as opposed to neon/primary colors.


For mom and dad (and siblings, if applicable), I suggest choosing pieces that are different materials. This can really elevate the look of your photos. Another thing to consider for mom is choosing something that is on the looser/flowier side if that’s what you’ll feel the most comfortable in postpartum.


For baby, keep it simple! Unless you really know what you’re doing, swaddles can be a bit cumbersome to work with, so I usually use them as blankets to drape over your baby instead. I suggest having a couple outfit options, and you can absolutely do whatever you’d like for these, but I honestly love the simplicity of just a onesie or one of those cute knit sets. I also usually like to do some in just a diaper.

Additional tips to prepare for your newborn session with me:


  1. Pick a time of day for your session that your baby is usually sleepy (for many babies, this is in the morning).
  2. If your house is usually on the chillier side, turn your heat up or air conditioning down so that your house it a little warmer than usual. You don't want to be sweating in all the photos, but babies like to be warm. Early 70s is usually a safe bet for temperature.
  3. Don't worry about having a perfectly clean house. I will help you tidy/move clutter out of the way as needed throughout the session.
  4. If you haven't had your baby yet, plan out your outfits now! You may need to adjust a bit depending on how you're feeling, but it will be one less overwhelming decision to make postpartum.

Ready to book?


I can't wait to capture your growing family! Check out my pricing here or contact me using this form.