That first chapter as a growing family is so special. And to have your newborn session documented at home is the most incredible experience. It allows you to capture life as it is – slower, a little messy, and full of love.
Why Choose a Documentary-Style Newborn Session
I firmly believe that time is a thief and when we look back at photos in 20 years, we will want to see life as it was. Don’t get me wrong – I love seeing a photo of everyone looking at the camera smiling. But more than that, I love the photos where you can really see the emotion of the moment. Where you can be transported back to that chapter of life. Where you can feel the love, no matter how exhausted or chaotic it feels at the time.
That’s why documentary-style newborn sessions are so special. This season of life is so fleeting, and we simply don’t remember all the things we want to in the moment. Having those moments captured for us in a beautifully authentic and artistic way allows us to freeze those memories forever so they won’t be forgotten.
Is there ANY posing for documentary-style sessions?
While I stand by my previous statements, there is a bit of gentle posing involved in documentary-style sessions. It’s hard (especially for sleep-deprived new parents) to know what to do if I just say, “Act normal.” So instead, the entire session is a combination of a conversation between friends with subtle art direction and simply capturing life as it happens. From feeding to changing to settling down and relaxing together as a family, I’m there to capture it all.
At this newborn session, there were times that we were all having such a great time that they almost forgot that we were in the middle of a photo session. Their little one was only three days old, and the slower pace of a documentary-style session was perfect for documenting this new season. I talked about crochet with Grandma, travel and the music of our parents’ generation with Mom and Dad. And all the while, I was documenting their time together.
“We don’t have a nursery. Where do we take the pictures?”
This is one of the most frequently asked questions regarding newborn photos. And I love telling clients that you can truly take these photos ANYWHERE. Kitchen? One of my favorites. Backyard? Absolutely. Our bedroom? For sure. The hallway? Yep. Your home is where you make memories, and it’s important to capture different elements of your life in this season and home.
For J and J’s newborn session, they had a landing area on the second floor with shelves and decor from different parts of their life that all had very significant meaning to them. Mom asked if we could take some photos in that space, and it was an immediate “yes.” That’s a space where they plan to raise their son and teach him about life, and that’s exactly the type of space that should be used for these sessions.
Documenting newborns in their homes is an honor and a privilege. If you’re interested in scheduling a session for your growing family, head here and send me a message – I would love to chat!
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