Capturing your sweet newborn’s first official portraits is such a precious moment. You will treasure these images for the rest of your life! You’ll always be able to look back on these and remember what it was like meeting the love of your life. 

Did you know that there are different newborn portrait styles? There are two main styles of a newborn portrait session, and the one you choose is totally up to your preference! I’ll walk through each of the styles to help you decide which one is right for your family. If you’re preparing for a newborn session, I also highly recommend reading my guest post with 6 ways to prepare for your newborn session.

Lifestyle Newborn Portrait Session

This type of newborn session is typically taken at your home and includes members of your family and even pets! You might refer to lifestyle sessions as relaxed in the sense that we are very much going with the flow. We’ll create settings throughout your home, either in the nursery, your bedroom, or living room, and gently pose your family and newborn to capture those moments together. Some mamas prefer this type of session because they can include their pets in some photos and their husband and children are able to relax at home in between shots. We work around your family to capture the best photos!

Lifestyle newborn sessions usually last between 1-2 hours. Whether awake or asleep, babies are usually happiest while being held by mom or dad and that is the case during most of this type of session.

Studio Newborn Portrait Session 

This type of newborn session is typically taken in a photographer’s studio and features your newborn in different sweet poses. You may prefer this type of session if you’re looking forward to capturing your newborn in specific props or poses. You can also count on having your family members photographed at a studio session but always check with your photographer for their policy on this. We can choose a specific backdrop for your session and select meaningful props to make your newborn portraits even more special.

Studio newborn sessions usually last between 2-3 hours. Babies have to be soundly sleeping to get those perfectly posed portraits of them on a blanket or in a prop. It usually takes extra time to get them to sleep in each of the poses. Each baby is different and some like certain poses better than others. It takes a little bit of time to learn what they like and what they don’t. Again, we follow the baby’s lead and go with the flow, never forcing him or her into poses that are not comfortable.

Planning Your Newborn Portrait Session 

You should reach out to your newborn photographer as soon as you can! This will help with the planning process and ensure you can have the type of newborn session you desire. If you want a studio session with specific props, you want to give your photographer time to prepare to have those props pulled out and on hand. If you’re worried about having a clean house for your lifestyle newborn session, please don’t worry! You don’t need to make sure your house is spic and span. We’ll work around your life. We are all going to be focused on your beautiful baby and family!

Oconomowoc’s Newborn Photographer

I’m honored to be Oconomowoc’s trusted newborn photographer! My goal is to make the process as smooth as possible for you. I guide my clients through the planning process by reviewing newborn portrait options and offering guidance on wardrobe, props, and more. If you’re expecting and think I may be the right fit for you, I’d love to connect with you here!