Meet Lucy! | Auckland Newborn Session
Auckland In-Home Newborn Session
I had the privilege of photographing this gorgeous family and their newest member, Lucy.
What a sweet little bundle of perfection she was!
What a perfect addition to an already sweet family. Big brother, Arthur, was popping in and out of the session (as most toddlers do!) and by the end of our time together, he was having us all rake the leaves in the backyard! I can already tell this house will be full of sweet, hilarious, perfect moments together.
Enjoy the gallery & enjoy some tips on how to better prepare for your in-home newborn session.
TIMING
As far as the age of your baby, we try to book your newborn session within the first 2 weeks of baby being born. Babies at this age tend to be very chilled, sleepy, and beautifully curled up still. That being said, there’s no reason why you can’t have baby’s newborn session up to around 4 weeks old. Little Lucy was just over 4 weeks old here and we captured some beautiful moments.
The timing of the sessions is catered to you and your family’s schedule, however I have found that mid-morning tends to be a sweet spot for newborns. Around 10:30 is a great time to have the session - the sun is not harshly coming in and it isn’t too early for other siblings. Ideally, babies should be fed just before the session so they are “milk drunk” and at their happiest and sleepiest while we are shooting. But also don’t stress about this - I want you to feel comfortable to take your time in providing whatever you and baby need! I am comfortable and happy to photograph those tender nursing moments. However, if you prefer some privacy I can step outside of the room if needed.
WHAT TO WEAR
Comfort is key here, mama (for you and baby). This is not the time to worry about dressing up. Instead, embrace that homey, cozy vibe. Many new mamas are most comfortable in a loose house dress, lounge set or leggings with a tee or a long, soft sweater. Another option is a neutral, simple, beautiful robe (Deiji Studios, anyone?!)
For dad - a tee shirt / sweater and jeans is perfect! No need for dressing up on his part either! And as for baby, have a few outfits picked out for variety within the shoot and also in case of any spit-ups or blow-outs. Babies tend to do these at jussssst the wrong time! But don’t worry, as a Mom of 3 I’ve seen it all so nothing phases me at this point. I personally love kimono-style onesies for ease of changing and not having to pull anything over baby’s head.
For everyone – muted, earthy tones always photograph well in this type of session, as they won’t distract from the baby or cast any odd colors onto the baby’s skin. A smaller print or basic striped outfit can be just fine too. Avoid super bright colors, as well as logos or script on tees.
SIBLINGS
Like I mentioned before, big brother Arthur was popping in and out of the session as we went along. Most children have a very limited attention span / tolerance for sitting still and getting photographed. On top of that, having a new sibling in the family can be stressful for little ones. This is why I typically get the group family shot at the very beginning of the session. From there, I have a specific flow that takes the pressure off any older children and gives them a chance to just relax and go play. I promise they’ll wander in and get interesting in the session again at some point.
I also provide a pre-session questionnaire where I ask about any older siblings involved in the shoot. Most siblings cooperate better when they feel like the session is just as much about them as it is the new baby. So knowing that Moana is their favorite movie at the moment means we’ll be instant best friends, singing “You’re Welcome” together - ensuring happy, positive attitudes!
Lastly, don’t push it. If older siblings need some alone time during the session, that’s absolutely fine! I always respect the boundaries of older children and try to create a positive, relaxed environment. Try to stay calm and positive and let me do most of the talking and coaxing. Also, we all know how a good (non-messy) snack can go a long way – so I recommend having one or two on hand for your bigger kids.
And that’s all there is to it! The main goal of your photos is to capture your family and the real, honest moments. So bring your authentic selves and do your best to relax and have fun. Let me do all the rest of the work. I promise we’ll tell a beautiful story through your gallery that you can cherish for years to come!
Auckland In-home Newborn Session | Christen Peters Photography | Auckland Newborn Session