Lifestyle Newborn vs. Studio Newborn Sessions

When it comes to a having a baby, there are a million choices to be made including whether or not you will opt to have newborn photos taken! If you’re lucky, the hospital you deliver at will provide an on-staff photographer who visits your room in the first day or so after your baby arrives to shoot some photos that you can purchase later. If you’re very VERY lucky, this photographer is experienced and makes you feel at ease, does great work with those classy overhead fluorescent lights, you are feeling rested and someone was kind enough to help you brush your hair, and your baby is able to be in your room with you versus needing a little extra care in the nicu. Whether or not they opt for the photos in the hospital (fresh 48 sessions), many new parents will choose to do photos of their family after they are home and have a few days to get settled. Once you’re home from the hospital, you have two options when looking for a newborn photographer: a traditional in-studio newborn photographer OR a lifestyle session. Here’s some more information on each type so that you can see what works best for you!

Traditional In-Studio Newborn Session

Takes place at the photographer’s studio in front of a backdrop.
Photos are highly styled and each pose takes several minutes to set up.
The majority of the photos are close up of the baby alone with props and costumes that the photographer may provide.
Experience level of the photographer is very important because most of the photos you see on pinterest are actually composites of several images photoshopped together. An inexperienced photographer may not be trained or practiced and attempting to duplicate these photos incorrectly or without the proper support equipment can result in danger to your baby’s airway or fragile joints. A good studio newborn photographer always stresses safety above all else.
Sessions can last 2-4 hours in order to make time for the many outfit changes, feedings, putting the baby back to sleep, and carefully constructing the final image from shooting a variety of different angles.
Since artificial studio lighting is used, sessions can take place any time of day even after dark.

Lifestyle Newborn Session

Takes place in your own home, the photographer will usually shoot in the nursery and/or recommend other rooms or spaces that will be best for photos. Good window lighting is key!
Photos are very relaxed and focus on capturing new parents and family members holding and interacting with the baby as well as close ups of the baby alone in natural positions.
While the photographer may bring some lighting equipment, lifestyle newborn sessions are usually shot exclusively during daylight hours to take advantage of natural window light.
Due to the documentary nature of lifestyle sessions, they usually last 1-2 hours and the photographer with your permission will continue capturing moments as you care for your baby’s needs during the time they are there.
Since the session takes place in your home, it’s convenient to incorporate other children and furry family members as well!

If you think that a studio session is what you’re looking for, please message me and I’d be happy to give some recommendations for photographers who offer that style. For me, photos that document real life memories are close to my heart and I’ve chosen to offer lifestyle sessions only when it comes to newborns.

Here are some photos of the Zeh family and their lifestyle newborn session I photographed this spring. These photos are so special to me! I met Stephanie and Jason almost five years ago when I photographed their engagement photos with their dog, Molly! Fast forward to their wedding day and I can still remember Stephanie laughing with her mom, grandma and sister as the girls all got ready at the house. Jason and the guys posed with sombreros out back behind the church before everyone walked down the aisle. I did their maternity photos when their first baby was born, and family photos a year later – Molly the dog was there for all of it! And now five milestones down the road I visited them at home as they spent the first few days with their baby girl. I love love love this little family.