What is a Lifestyle Newborn Session?

What is a Lifestyle Newborn Session?

A lifestyle newborn session focuses on unscripted connections as a family within the client home. The goal of a newborn lifestyle session is to focus on natural, authentic moments with a simplistic approach to posing and editing. While posing guidance is provided, it’s not as staged as studio portrait sessions.

Another important item that often differentiates lifestyle and studio newborn sessions is the utilization of natural vs. artificial light. Typically, lifestyle sessions prioritize natural window light, while studio newborn sessions use light modifiers such as a softbox or umbrella.

Lifestyle Newborn Session – Is it Right for You?

Parents who desire real moments captured within their home should consider a lifestyle newborn session. Lifestyle sessions will not only capture you and your newest family addition, they’ll also document the nursery decor, gifts and memorabilia.

Lifestyle sessions typically last 1 1/2 – 2 hours and include minimal aesthetics. These sessions can include feeding and changing portraits, family pets and siblings. Lifestyle newborn sessions are the perfect alternative to studio newborn sessions if you’re not keen on traditional posed newborn photos, props, or specific outfits that characterize studio sessions.

Posing Guidance without the Staged Feel

In a lifestyle newborn session, just enough posing guidance is provided to capture the essence of your family without making you or your baby feel overly staged. It’s about finding that perfect balance between guidance and genuine moments that resonate with your unique story.

Where do Lifestyle Newborn Sessions take place?

Typically, lifestyle newborn sessions unfold in a nursery with ample window light available. Many parents express the desire to capture their little one amidst their newly adorned nursery space where heirloom memorabilia, books and toys are used as decor.

For those with a cohesive home aesthetic, featuring naturally well-lit spaces, alternative locations like the family room, master bedroom, or kitchen are equally enticing options to capture timeless portraits.

When to Schedule your Newborn Session

The optimal time for a newborn session is within the first two weeks of your baby’s life. Scheduling the session during this period ensures capturing those precious, sleepy moments that are characteristic of newborns. When babies are awake during the first 7-10 days following birth, they’re often more cooperative and fall asleep again easily and quickly.

Contact your Newborn Photographer

I welcome the opportunity to connect with parents who would like to plan their newborn session in advance of delivery. Contacting me for a newborn session while you’re pregnant will help ensure you’re able to secure a session around baby’s tentative due date. Usually, I schedule newborn sessions late mornings on weekdays. If you’re arrival time isn’t as planned, don’t worry… I allow for flexibility to reschedule during weekdays.

If you’d like to schedule your newborn session with Alisha Cory Photography, please inquire below:

Additional parent resources: Focus on the Family, ABC Mouse and Charleston Moms