Today I’m talking about in home lifestyle newborn photography vs studio newborn photography! Perhaps you’ve heard of them, but aren’t sure what the differences are. Both have their pros and cons, and it is entirely up to you which one fits your needs and desires. Hopefully this post will help!

In Home Newborn Sessions:

In home sessions are also referred to as lifestyle sessions by many photographers. Lifestyle newborn photography sessions are typically unposed and focus on the relationship between family members rather than getting everyone looking and smiling at the camera. I will do some directing but try to keep the over feel very documentary style. This type of session is full of emotion and can also be a bit moodier because of the use of natural light. Not all homes are super bright and white and airy and so those images tend to be darker and more dramatic.

I usually like to get a quick tour of your home first and find the best light. Sometimes this is the living room, nursery, master bedroom etc. And I like to use as many locations as possible!

Lifestyle sessions are usually very relaxed and laid back. We don’t have to worry about getting baby into a deep sleep like I do for Studio Newborn Sessions. You also don’t have to worry about packing a diaper bag and leaving the house with your new baby. These sessions are much shorter than a studio session as well (1.5 hours versus 2-4 hours in the studio).
Probably the biggest disadvantage is having to clean up areas so they are clutter free to shoot in. I sometimes move furniture around and do the best I can to make sure the images are focused on your sweet family and not the pile of diapers and wipes and laundry that are no doubt accumulating after you just got home with your new baby.

When it comes to Lifestyle Newborns, I don’t bring any props with me. I do bring some different colored wraps so we can swaddle baby up and get some different looks that way. But, if you were excited to see your baby with an adorable hat on his head, and posed in a curly snuggly way – you may want to consider a studio session instead.

Posed Studio Newborn Sessions:

Posed newborn sessions are filled with adorable and creative poses, lovely props, beautiful hats and wraps and different backdrops. Most posed newborn sessions focus solely on the new baby with a few sibling and parent images mixed in.
Some of the drawbacks to Studio Newborn Sessions is the time commitment (2-4 hours in the studio), the heat (I keep the studio around 80 degrees so baby is comfy and sleepy),  and if you’re bottle feeding you will need to bring extra milk with you! But I have everything else we’ll need, and if you get too warm you can hang out downstairs and watch TV. Or take a nap! That has happened on multiple occasions in my studio!

No matter which choice you make, you will receive beautiful works of art to hang on your walls and give to family and friends. The images of your newborn will last forever, and you will never regret having them done! You will quickly come to realize how fast newborns change and how tiny they are those first few weeks.