How to prepare your home for a newborn photoshoot (without wasting three days cleaning)

Yes, having a newborn photographer come to you has so many benefits - the ease of staying exactly where you are, having everything you may possibly need to hand, the familiarity and safety of your own cozy nest...

But I realise that some of my clients might feel a little overwhelmed and worried - is their home "photo worthy"? Is it spacious enough? Clean enough? Especially in the first few days spent in the blissful newborn bubble, when deep cleaning your entire house is at the bottom of the priority list. I have some good news for you - you do not need to spend days cleaning to have your home prepared for a lifestyle newborn photoshoot!

If the thought of inviting a newborn photographer to come into your home only few short days after having a newborn immediately make you spiral into panic and fix your eyes on the pile of washing, half finished nursery and about 35 muslin blankets scattered around the house - please do not panic.

Give yourself some grace. You just had a baby. I am not coming to inspect your skirting boards.

One of my favourite things about at-home newborn photography is that your home doesn't need to be perfect. It doesn't need to be a huge, picture perfect house with beautifully decorated rooms. It just needs to be yours.

When photographing, I tend to find couple of cozy corners with good light and I'm all set! I don't need a huge mansion with perfect lighting. I have photographed in all kinds of homes, from small studio flats to huge properties. From light filled modern houses to character filled but dark cottages. I am flexible, and my almost 10 year experience in this field helps me navigate changing lighting conditions and adapt quickly to ensure beautiful photos, regardless of where I photograph.

So before you start panic-cleaning before your newborn session, here's a few tips to put your mind at ease if you are considering an at home newborn lifestyle photoshoot.

1. You do not need to clean the whole house - I usually tend to photograph in a few select rooms or areas of your home. Before each session, I consult my clients in my pre-session questionnaire to find out which rooms are their favourite, and we photograph in those locations. These tend to be nursery, bedroom and living room, but some people might have favourite cozy nooks and so I would recommend thinking about which rooms you like and briefly tidy these.

   But pelase do not go crazy. You are allowed to have washing laying on the bed. You are allowed to have baby bottles on the kitchen counter. You are allowed to have a home that looks like a newborn baby recently joined. I am not here to judge. If anyhing, before I take the shot and I notice something that may be distrating, I will simply move it before I take the photo. That's what I'm there for - to worry about the little things. Not you. You can simply relax, assured I will take care of it and make your photographs look cozy and beautiful.

2. I get up close - removing any distractions. My personal style is very focused on capturing the connection you have as a family. As such, I tend to get up and close with you. With this approach, you do not need to worry about any distrations or objects that might be around you. I will always find angles that make you and your surroundings look good.

   
   

3. I will adapt to suit your style. Every home is different. Some like sleek modern houses, while others prefer bold colours. Some like vibrant, cheerful tones while others are big fans of dark and moody decor. Some like minimalism, while others love sentimental ornaments to be displayed. I will always adapt to your decor and style to capture photographs that you will proudly want to display on your walls - without looking out of place!

   So if your home does not look exactly like from the front pages of "Ideal Home" to you, do not worry. It is YOUR home and I will be there to tell YOUR story. And I will make sure that it looks just as cozy and secure as it makes you feel.

   

   
   

4. We are not photographing a house. We are photographing your newborn bubble in your HOME. The coziness, security, love. The entire atmosphere of your newborn bubble. The first tender moments spent with your new baby. The beautiful beginning of a new chapter. Your home is not the focus of the photos. The love, excitement, your new little family - that's the real focus of your photos. I have learnt to capture exactly those feelings, regardless of where the photo was taken.

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5. Let's not over complicate things. Sometimes less is more and a simple bed makes the perfect background. Do not panic your nuresery isn't quite ready. We can find a lovely corner in unfinished room, or find alternative cozy corner in your home. There beautiful thing about lifestyle newborn photoshoot is that they can be tailored to your family. No two at home newborn photoshoots are the same. And that's the beauty in it. So let's tick to basics. Let's let light in, find a corner in your home you feel safe and cozy in, and capture these beautiful first moments!

And if you still don't feel confident? Let's venture out! Your family. Your photoshoot. Your rules.

But I do hope that this helped put your mind at ease. I hope it helped you see that anyone can have a beautiful photoshoot in the comfort of their home. I hope it helps you stop worrying, because your home is already enough. When you look back at your photographs in ten or twenty years, I don't think you'll be checking for any clutter on the table. Or judging the colour of your walls.

You'll see how tiny your baby looked against dad's chest. You'll remember the bedroom where you spent those endless newborn nights.

You'll notice the Moses basket that dissapeared from your home months later. The dog keeping watch from the end of the bed, or the way an older sibling climbed up beside you for a cuddle.

Your home isn't just a backgrop. It's part of the beginning of your story.

So tidy the bedside table if you want. Or don't. But please do not clean for three days. I'd much rather you spent time cuddling your new baby. I will make it work. I promise.

If you're expecting a baby and love the idea of an at-home newborn photoshoot in the comfort of your own home, you can find out more about my at-home newborn photography session in Oxfordshire HERE.