What You Don't Need For an In-Home Session

One of the most common things I hear from families before an in-home newborn session is, “Oh, but my house isn’t pretty enough.” And to that, I want to gently (but firmly!) say, that’s not true. Here’s what you don’t need for an in-home session: a big, lavish, magazine-worthy home with everything perfect and emmaculate. What you do need is something much simpler: your people, your love, and a little light.

Take sweet Scottie Kate’s newborn session as an example. Her mama mentioned wanting a few outdoor photos, so we started there. Then, indoors, we worked with just a sliver of the living room and a single chair in their bedroom. That was it … and It was absolutely perfect! I followed the light wherever I could find it, capturing all that sweetness. When I come to an in-home session, I’m there to capture the details, emotion, and love between everyone, not your home.

What You Don’t Need For an In-Home Session

In fact, come October we are doing our very own in-home session, and guess what? I HATE the flooring in my home and I wish my ceilings were vaulted, BUT it’s home. Home to my babies and where they feel safe, loved, and free to be themselves. They can be silly and remain comfortable when a stranger walks in the door with a camera. It isn’t the furniture, the paint colors, or whether you have vaulted ceilings that makes these photos special, and I’m not going to let cosmetic things about my home that I don’t like stop me from capturing memories with my family – and neither should you!

One of my favorite parts of Scottie Kate’s newborn session was watching her big brother and sister, just two and three years old, shine in their own home. They were relaxed, comfortable, and happy to join in because they were in their space, with their toys nearby and their parents close. During in-home sessions, you’re not forcing kids into an unfamiliar environment. You’re letting them be themselves, which translates into genuine smiles and authentic family moments.

I absolutely loved watching dad play with his older kids. He lifted them up over his head, as he laughed and smiled along with them. Capturing the sweet and tender moments between big sis and little sis was also incredibly heartwarming.

So, the next time you start to worry about your home not being “good enough” for newborn photos, remember that you don’t need much. A window, a chair, floorspace by a window, and your family’s love is more than enough.