How to Prepare for Your In-Home Newborn Session

Ashleigh Costa
10 hours ago
3 min read

There’s something so special about photographing you in your own space, right where all of these early memories are unfolding. Your home holds your story, and that’s exactly what I want to capture.

The good news is, you don’t need a perfectly styled house or a “perfect” baby. A little bit of simple preparation just helps us ease into the session and make the most of our time together.

Before I Arrive

If you can, try to have your baby fed, changed and dressed just before I get there.Of course, this doesn’t guarantee they won’t need another feed (newborns love to keep us guessing), but it often gives us a little window to begin gently.

There’s absolutely no pressure if things don’t go to plan. We move at your baby’s pace always.

Preparing Your Space

You don’t need to clean your whole house. I promise.

I usually recommend having two areas of your home clutter-free. My favourites tend to be:

The lounge room
Your bedroom
The nursery (if you have one set up)

Sometimes we’ll end up somewhere unexpected, like a spare room, simply because the light is better or the space feels calm and open.

A few small things that make a big difference:

Clear bedside tables and coffee tables
Remove visible cables and phone chargers
Open curtains and let in as much natural light as possible

We follow the light during indoor sessions, so I may use doorways, windows or little pockets of light throughout your home.

What to Wear

If you can, be dressed and ready before I arrive so we can start calmly.

You’re very welcome to have 1–2 outfit options if you’d like a little variety.

I always recommend:

Light, neutral tones
Soft, comfortable fabrics
Something you can easily breastfeed in if needed

Lighter colours photograph beautifully with newborn skin tones and tend to give a softer, more rested feel (even if you’ve had very little sleep).

Including Pets

I absolutely love including pets. They’re part of your family and your story.

That said, sometimes they can bring a little extra chaos, especially in those early newborn days. If your dog is feeling a bit excitable, jumping up, or not quite listening, it can be helpful to pop them away for part of the session.

This isn’t a rule at all, just something to keep in mind so the focus can stay calm and centred on you and your baby.

Embracing Real Life

Some of the most beautiful moments happen in the in-between.

Making a coffee. Sitting together on the couch. Swaying gently with your baby in your arms.

You don’t need to “perform” for the camera. I’ll gently guide you, but I’m really just there to document what’s already happening.

If You Have a Toddler

When there’s a toddler involved, we throw the rulebook out a little.

The focus naturally shifts to them because this transition is big, and sometimes a little overwhelming.

I’ll never force your child to:

Hold the baby
Kiss them
Sit still if they don’t want to

Sometimes those moments happen beautifully on their own, and sometimes they don’t. Both are completely okay.

We follow their lead, bring in movement, play, and keep things light so they feel safe and included.

Temperature of Your Home

Newborns love warmth, especially when they’re being held or lightly dressed.

If you can, keep your home a little warmer than usual. It helps baby stay calm and sleepy, especially if we’re doing skin-to-skin or minimal clothing moments.