Studio Ostendo operates in multiple creative fields including photography, design, and education.
As a newborn photographer in Boise, Idaho I have families and clients ask me often how it works to schedule and prepare for a lifestyle newborn session. From outfits to scheduling to mindset going into your session, here are some of my best tips as a newborn photographer!
When it comes time to schedule your newborn photoshoot, you have a few options. For families who aren’t too worried about adjusting to life with a newborn, aren’t too concerned with how they look, and/or want the session to be more focused on real life and on their new baby, the sooner the better! For families with those priorities, I recommend scheduling a newborn photoshoot within the first 3-7 days of being home with your newborn baby. Within the first week of being born is when I find most healthy newborn babies are the most snuggly, sleepy, and “cooperative” for photos. That being said, that first week can be challenging for postpartum mommas and families as they adjust to life with a new baby. For families who want a little extra time to adjust, anytime within the first two weeks to a month after having the new baby can be a great time for a photoshoot! Scheduling your session a little later allows more time for mommas to recover from birth and more time for families to find a rhythm together.
As a lifestyle newborn photographer, I love capturing raw moments of families together, and that can happen at any stage in your baby’s life! If I were to recommend what I want for most families, I’d recommend scheduling your newborn photoshoot for sometime within the first 10 days after your baby is born.
When it comes to choosing what to wear in your lifestyle newborn photos, consider the style of photos you want first. If you’re going for images where everyone looks their best, dress up a little. For women that could mean finding a dress you feel great in. If you’re going for photographs that show life as it truly is, wear something that looks good that you would also wear in your everyday life.
For postpartum mommas, look for something to wear that flatters your features and doesn’t draw attention to areas of your body you are conscious of during those postpartum weeks/months/years. My honest thoughts—your body has done something truly amazing and there’s no shame in the way bodies change to grow a human life. That being said, it’s important for you to feel beautiful and seen in your baby’s newborn photographs too.
Here are some flattering and comfortable outfit ideas I’ve seen for women:
Here are some outfit ideas for men:
Here are some outfit ideas for newborns:
*Tip for newborn photoshoot outfits: I love photographing features of newborns like their hands, feet, ears, etc. I usually recommend choosing at least one outfit or part of the session where babies hands/feet are free and they aren’t wearing a hat.
In general I recommend wearing neutral colors, especially on top. What many clients don't realize is that the colors they wear cast colors on their baby's face and body when they hold them close. So if clients aren't particular about what colors they wear, I recommend a light neutral color. If, however, this doesn't fit with the client's personal style, I'd recommend choosing something that feels true to them!
When it comes time for your actual newborn photos, the best advice I can give you as a newborn photographer: focus on connecting with your family and let the details go. The best environment for real family photos is one where parents are connected to each other and to their kids, where they aren’t correcting or fixing what others are wearing or doing, where you let yourself feel what you’re feeling and where families are truly enjoying time together.
Some newborn sessions can be difficult. Parents may be tired, kids may be tired, newborns may or may not cooperate. Even if your child is crying, focus on staying connected to them instead of worrying about getting perfect photographs.
When we embrace the challenges and joys of parenthood and family life, the photographs captured will tell the story of the beauty within that. Lifestyle newborn photos aren’t about perfection or posed babies, but about the love and new life infused into a family with this new member. Instead of showing perfectly posed moments, as a photographer I want your newborn photos to show what it was like to be in your family at that moment in time.
When it comes time to hire your newborn photographer, hire someone who shares a similar style and vision.
If you’re looking for a newborn photographer in Boise, I’d love to connect! I’m Becky, a lifestyle, newborn and family photographer in Idaho where I live with my husband and son. Each time I pick up my mom’s old film camera to snap a photo of my boys or grab a phone photo of a mundane moment with my son makes me a better photographer for my clients. As an artist I’m not only creating my favorite work with clients. Day in and day out, I’m capturing the things in my own life worth remembering—the stories I’ll be retelling for years—and I’d love to do that for you.
I love photographing families and the life they are building together. While I love creating beautiful photographs that catalog another year gone by for families, I’m obsessed with capturing raw interactions and families as they truly are. What I hope for my lifestyle and family sessions is that they become a time for families to connect with their loved ones in a way that’s meaningful to them.
Get to know a little more about me or reach out via my website to chat about a lifestyle newborn photography session with me.
Wedding photography is my heartbeat. For me, it holds the perfect tension between creativity and authenticity, observation and connection. In front of my camera clients transform to friends, and behind it you'll usually find me tearing up, cheering you on, or holding my breath because of the raw goodness of the moment at hand.
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