Understanding Your Newborn Photo Session Options with Laura Cardan Photography
When planning photos of your new baby, you have two, main, indoor choices: in-home or studio sessions.
In-home sessions allow you stay in your comfort zone. Your baby can relax in their own space, and you don’t need to pack up all those baby items! These photos capture real moments in your everyday setting—your couch, the nursery you carefully designed, or that special window light in your living room.
Studio sessions offer a more controlled setting. Controlled lighting and consistent backgrounds. Best of all, you don’t have to clean your house before I arrive.
Some key things to think about:
- Comfort level – Where will you feel most at ease with a newborn?
- Home setup – Does your home have good natural light and offer background options you would love to include in your photos?
- Siblings – Will other kids be more settled at home or enjoy a studio trip?
- Pets – Do you want to include pets in your photos? Unfortunately all pets aren’t a good fit for a trip to my in-home studio.
The best choice comes down to what feels right for your family.
Benefits of In-Home Newborn Photography
Having a newborn photo session at home offers unique perks that many new parents love. When you choose an in-home session, you get to stay in your comfort zone during those first weeks with your baby.
- natural comfort in your own space
- quick access to everything you need
- ability to capture all the details of your nursery and other aspects of your home that you love
Your Home Tells Your Story
The photos capture not just your baby, but the special environment you’ve created for them. The nursery you painted, the rocking chair where you spend late nights, and the numerous places you spend your time all become meaningful parts of your photos.
What is necessary for a light and airy, in-home newborn session with me?
- great lighting is always the most important aspect of any photo session. For a natural look the space you want to photograph in will need at least 1 window with plenty of natural light.
- neutral decor is an important part of light and airy photo sessions. Light wall colors and furnishing lend to the final look of your images. While dark colors can be photographed they won’t produce the final look you see from me.
- space to move around – I say this one lightly. We can, absolutely, shoot an entire newborn session in 1 small room, however you want enough space for your family and me to be able to move around easily and add fill lighting if necessary.
Want to read more about whether an in-home session is right for your family? Check out my Mountain Brook Newborn Photographer Guide for more details on how these sessions work and what makes them special.
Advantages of Studio Newborn Sessions
Studio sessions offer a worry-free setting for your newborn photos. The biggest plus…..I am 100% familiar with the lighting on any type of day.
You’ll also enjoy:
- Clean backgrounds that keep the focus on your family and your baby
- No cleaning stress – leave your house as is
Parents love that they can just show up with baby and diaper bag and go home with light, bright and natural newborn photos.
The studio also has a cozy play area for siblings, comfy seating for feedings and a changing table. Whoever isn’t involved in a particular pose can relax while I work.
Read more about natural light, lifestyle studio sessions here,
How to Choose Between In-Home and Studio Sessions
Picking between an in-home or studio newborn session comes down to what matters most to you. Let’s break it down:
Your Home Setup
- Does your home have good natural light?
- Is there enough space in main living areas for photos?
- Are you OK with moving furniture if needed?
Comfort and Ease
- Older siblings might act more natural and be more comfortable at home
- Grandparents or pets can join more easily at home
- Studio sessions mean less stress about house cleaning
Posing
- natural, baby led posing is a key factor in both types of newborn sessions
- I will never place your baby in un-natural positions
- I use the same props for all sessions: a moses basket, crib or bed, parents and various places to sit
What to Expect During Your In-Home or Studio Newborn Session in Birmingham
Whether you choose my studio or your home, knowing what to expect helps make your newborn session smooth and stress-free.
Session Timing
For the best results, I schedule newborn sessions when:
- Babies are 5-14 days old (they’re still sleepy and curly). Don’t worry…..we can get beautiful photos with older babies, as well. Older babies are more likely to be awake and stretched out.
- Morning hours (when babies are typically more settled)
- After a good feeding (happy baby = happy photos)
How Long Will It Take?
In-home sessions typically last 2-3 hours, while studio sessions run about 2 hours. This includes:
- Setup time (especially important for in-home lighting)
- Feeding breaks, settling time and diaper changes as needed
Family Involvement
I strive to capture all possible portraits during newborn sessions.
- Solo newborn portraits
- Parent and baby moments
- Sibling and baby moments
- Full family portraits
- Solo sibling moments (I find this makes them feel special)
- details (baby and nursery)
Why Choose Laura Cardan Photography for Your Birmingham Newborn Session
When you’re looking for someone to take photos of your tiny new baby, you want a photographer who knows what they’re doing. That’s where I come in!
I bring years of hands-on know-how to your newborn session, whether at your home or in my studio. My top goal? Making sure your baby stays safe and cozy while I take those sweet first photos.
Kinds Words From Clients About Their Experience
“I’m so glad a friend recommended Laura to me when I was considering who to hire for our baby girl’s infant photos! Two things that were big wins for me: 1) the studio in her home — it’s light and airy and everything you want in a newborn session. It also took away any added stress I would have had to clean up our nursery/home and get them looking just-so if we had chosen the route of doing photos at our place. Bonus: Laura is super with kids. She got some great shots of my five and three-year-old boys, which is saying something. She was an overall pleasure to work with and great at the editing side of things too. Don’t hesitate to book her!” – Lauren M
The Booking Process
Ready to capture those first precious days with your little one? Booking your newborn session is a simple process that starts with a conversation about your vision.
- Reach out through my contact form
- We’ll schedule a quick chat about your needs at your convenience
- Pick a timeframe for your session (ideally within 5-14 days after birth.) Don’t worry, this isn’t set in stone. Once baby arrives you can let me know how you’re feeling and when a session feels right for you.
- I’ll send prep tips for your session type and help you with wardrobe and hair/makeup appointments if needed
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