If you’re an expectant mama, you’re likely searching for the right photographer for a newborn session in Kansas City. Some photographers offer studio/posed newborn photography and others offer on-location “lifestyle” sessions in your home. What is the right choice for YOUR newborn session?
Only you can answer this question as the right fit for every family is different! What I can do is tell you about my lifestyle newborn sessions as a Kansas City based photographer and see if it might sound like a good fit for you!
HOW LONG DOES A LIFESTYLE NEWBORN SESSION LAST?
My newborn sessions last around 90 minutes. I like to keep them short and sweet. My goal is to get you gorgeous images of this fleeting time without totally exhausting you and your family. I also don’t need 3-4 hours because I am not counting on your baby to sleep. If they do sleep during their session: great! If they don’t, that’s okay too. I love alert newborns!
DO YOU BRING PROPS OR SWADDLING BLANKETS?
I don’t bring anything to your home besides myself and my camera gear! This is very purposeful. I want your images to reflect you and your family. I will guide you towards best color choices and help you style your clothing so that we ensure everything is flattering for images. What I won’t do is bring my own blankets or outfits because then your images will look like other people’s images! I want you to use that swaddling blanket that Grandma gave you or that family heirloom hand-me-down from Auntie Jo.
MY HOUSE ISN’T HUGE, IS THAT OKAY?
As a newborn photographer, I have been in some tight spaces. Unlike cities and states with newer homes and lots of land, I often find myself in older colonials and small city apartments. Don’t stress about this at all. Lots of my clients’ babies don’t even have a nursery! If we have to do your entire session in one room, I can assure you that you will still get a great variety of images. Two of my favorite spaces for a lifestyle newborn session are the master bedroom and the family room. I haven’t yet been to a home that doesn’t have either of those!
In fact, every image that you’ve seen up until right now was taken in a small
1400 sq ft house.
WHAT KIND OF EDITING AND RETOUCHING DO YOU DO ON OUR BABY?
As a five time mom who is becoming far removed from the newborn days, I feel strongly about leaving the following newborn features as is: flaky skin, stork bites, cord stumps, red/purple feet. These are quintessential newborn features and I wouldn’t feel right removing them. Newborn acne is something I will work to retouch as it is a less-than-endearing feature. If your newborn has a particularly bad case, we can pick a set number of favorites that I will work to totally remove the acne from.
WHO TYPICALLY JOINS YOUR LIFESTYLE NEWBORN SESSIONS?
The answer to this is also different for every family! I would say that *most often* the newborn session includes your newborn and his/her nuclear family. This would be moms, dads, and siblings. Pets are often included as well! Some of my families have grandparents staying with them for an extended period of time after birth. Grandparents are always welcome in my sessions! Some photographers might feel differently but I love including several generations and often find grandparents very helpful for big siblings.
WHAT IF MY OLDER CHILD IS BEING DIFFICULT?
If there’s one thing I say over and over to parents it is try really hard not to stress about your older siblings behavior! Adjusting to life with a new little sibling is hard. They will be extra rambunctious and sometimes extra ornery. What feels awful and chaotic to you will actually photograph just fine on camera. The beauty about being in your own home is that it allows lots of time for breaks for siblings that need it. Favorite snacks and toys are just down the hall. While your toddler is taking a needed break, I have many other things to photograph :).
