A Guide to the In home Newborn session in North Eastern Florida

Newborn Session
Written By Teresa Geraghty

Those first few weeks home with your new baby can be stressful and overwhelming. Although you are on cloud nine, there is a lot for new moms to think about and worry about. A newborn photo session should not be one of those things. It is possible to have a relaxed and stress free baby photo session. The way to do so is by scheduling the session in the comfort of your own home.

baby boy in grey knit romper and hat laying on a rust and grey handmade afghan blanket

What is so Great about an In Home newborn Session?

The focus of this type of session is not on the baby in a wide array of outfits and in a variety of props. I have been a newborn photographer for over ten years now. I started in Long Island, NY and now I am serving the St John’s county Florida area. I am also a mom to an eleven and nine year old. I have learned a few things over the past few years and one of them is that those types of propped photos do not really tell the story of those first moments home with your baby. Images that show you snuggled up on the bed with your baby, dad holding the baby in his hands and images of you nursing the baby….these all capture those tender moments associated with bringing a baby home. For this reason, I no longer offer propped newborn sessions and instead focus on family centered newborn sessions. I want you to have images that make you feel something and bring your right back to that moment in time.

mother kneeling on a bed while dad holds newborn baby boy and she is looking over his shoulder and smiling

Does my house need to be Big and look like a pinterest board?

Absolutely not. The best part of this type of newborn session is that your home is the unique backdrop to your story. I will photograph your family in the rooms that have the most natural light. Sometimes I am able to shoot in multiple rooms in a house and other times, I stick to one room. The photos are centered on your bond with the baby, so the decor of your home is not all that important.

dad seated a bed holding newborn baby boy in grey jumpsuit kissing baby

Natural and Organic Baby Photos

The in home sessions allows me to capture whatever moments unfold in your home. I direct, prompt and pose you, but I am also waiting for those sweet connected moments to arise on their own and they often do. Some clients want eyes on camera photos and I am happy to provide those images and others want completely natural and interactive family photos. Whatever your preference is, your images will always feel more natural when they are captured in your home.

mother laying on a bed looking at her sleeping newborn baby boy

There is nothing like being home

Let’s face it. You are at an advantage by scheduling your newborn photo session in your Ponte Vedra, Florida home. Everyone is most relaxed and at ease in the comfort of their own home. Being relaxed and comfortable is the key to having beautiful and connected photos of you and your baby.

mother and father seated on the foot of a bed looking at baby boy mom laying head on husband's shoulder

Is there A lot of Prep Work Involved?

I ask that you clear the clutter from the rooms in which we will be photographing, but do not go crazy. I can move anything that needs to be moved out of the way once I get there. I also ask that you turn off the overhead lights and lower the AC so it is a little on the warmer side in your home. This typically will make the baby sleepy, cozy and content. Prior to my arrival you will feed the baby and that is about it. I will help you to curate and plan your entire family’s wardrobe. I even have a client closet with women’s dresses available on loan. I also have a wide array of newborn outfits and swaddles fro the baby. The entire process is super simple and stress free for you.

mother and father laying on a bed with abby boy between them and they are looking at the baby and smiling
husband kissing newborn abby boy outdoors while mother holds the baby and boho knit blanket

How Long does the session last?

Unlike a propped newborn photo session, your baby can be awake for the duration of the session. With that being said, unlike a standard family session, a newborn session requires more time. We often need to take breaks to comfort the baby or feed the baby and there is some time spent at the top of the session going through wardrobe choices. If there are toddler aged children participating in the session, we also may need to take breaks for them. The whole process is very relaxed and I do not rush things. A typical lifestyle newborn session will last on average anywhere from 75-120 minutes.

dad holding baby wrapped in boho tan knit blanket on his shoulder mom kissing baby on head they are outside under a weeping willow tree

Interested in learning more about an In home newborn session?

Contact me today.

Teresa Geraghty
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