Many of my South Tampa newborn photography clients ask for my opinion on preferred locations for their newborn session and I undoubtedly suggest their home as the number one location.
*While photographing newborn babies in exotic outdoor locations may seem like a great idea, it’s not something I suggest for newborn sessions. Here’s why photographing your little one at home is the best possible place to capture those first photos:
Point Blank - Your Home is the Most Comfortable Location! It has everything you need to facilitate a successful photo shoot. You have access to your cozy couches and especially your rocking chair should you need to feed your baby.
Everything You Need Is Within Your Reach! You have access to your changing table for the event that your little one has a blow out. Baby clothes, blankets, bottle warmers/formula/bottles, pacifiers are all at your finger tips.
You Have Control Over the Temperature! The weather and outdoor elements do not pertain to your photo session; therefore, rain, wind, heat/humidity, too much sun or lack there of, is not a concern for your family.
You Can Capture Your Home Environment! Creating your baby’s first memories in your home environment allows you to remember some of the details of the home you brought your baby into after delivery.
* Some common concerns on why many clients feel reluctant to set up the session in their home:
Many clients worry that their home might be too dark, they don’t love their home decor, they don’t have a nursery setup yet, the house is too cluttered or messy or small in their opinion, there are other family members and/or dogs. The list goes on but I can assure you that these worries do not and should not concern your photographer!
There are many ways around all of these in-home photo session issues. As for me - I bring a flash unit and defusers to all of my in-home newborn photography sessions in the event that the light really is that bad but I find that it mostly isn’t, in the majority of cases. My Nikon camera and variety of lenses function extremely well in low light conditions and that paired with a working knowledge of light and how to utilize natural light make for some exquisite photographs. Messes and clutter can be hidden and not shown. Smaller spaces simply require wider angle lenses and can still be captured wonderfully. Other family members like other children, pets, grandparents, aunts/uncles, you name it - all are welcome to participate!
I recently captured this beautiful family below (scroll down to see some of my favorites from their lifestyle newborn session). In the beginning we went back and forth on if they wanted to do the session in-home or on-location. They were concerned with the home being too dark but I ensured them that I was completely equipped to capture photo shoots in lower lit environments. So we landed on doing an in-home lifestyle newborn session. And let me tell you - no flash was needed! So much natural light poured into the home when we simply opened the blinds & my amazing camera equipment surly did its job :-)
