Hello All! It’s Tiny Human Tuesday and I thought I would take today to tell you all about Lifestyle sessions and the many benefits it offers! I get a lot of questions about lifestyle sessions and if they are the right session for your family as opposed to a studio session.
What is a Lifestyle Session?
A lifestyle session is all about capturing your daily life and the beautiful bond between the family and their new littlest member. The biggest difference about the studio session and lifestyle session is that the session will take place in your home and wont be as “posed”. It’s more relaxed and natural newborn photos but is just as beautiful! Having the session in your home offers more intimacy and personal details that a studio session couldn’t give you.
We will capture photos with each member of the family (including pets) and everyone together but they will be cuddling on the master bed or sitting on the living room couch. We will also get pictures of just the baby but instead of setting up props or backdrops they will be sleeping in their crib or being held by a family member.
How old should baby be for the session?
In a studio session, the babies need to be a little younger because they will be more likely to give me a deep sleep to get those curly poses (usually between 6-10 days old). In a lifestyle session they can be a little older because they are being cuddled most of the time and we aren’t trying to get those “posed” shots. We still want to capture them very fresh and new so anywhere between 6-21days old is perfect. This way they are still very sleepy and you still have all those “newborn” details.
How long are the sessions?
Lifestyle sessions don’t take as long as studio sessions. Since they are doing more of their natural things they wont have to be posed or change outfits as much. Both studio and lifestyle sessions are completely lead by baby. We will take breaks for feeding, changing and cuddling as needed but in lifestyle sessions those moments are part of the session!
Studio sessions are normally 3 - 3.5 hours long and lifestyle sessions are about 2-2.5 hours long.
Where will we be taking pictures?
Newborns are lot of work, so getting the whole family ready and traveling can be hard. Lifestyle sessions help with that because they are done in the comfort of your home. I usually shoot in the baby’s nursery, the master bedroom and the living room.
I have a lot of people get worried that their house will be a mess, because, well, they just had a baby! You do not need to worry about messes! All you have to do to prepare is open the blinds and let in some light. We will move things if needed to make your house look spotless. One of my favorite places to photograph is your master bed, so the bed is all that needs to be cleared off for those photos. A neutral comforter and some pillows will make a perfect spot for some cuddly family photos.
The intimacy, closeness and personal details that a lifestyle session can provide is something that would be missing from a studio session. Pictures will be of baby in his own nursery that YOU decorated. I will capture all those little details, like a grandmother’s old book on the shelf that was passed down or that beautiful sign that your sister painted for the baby and all those little clothes that were too cute not to buy. That perfect crib that you and your husband picked out together or how the family dog always lays by the crib now as the protector. Those are special details a lifestyle session will provide that will be so fun to look back on!
I’m worried my house will be too dark.
I hear this all the time and my response is the same every time. Yes, the studio does offer perfect lighting every time but i am a professional. I know how to place you in areas of your house that will make the lighting look perfect. I will bring directional light, used like a window, if necessary but most of the time working what whatever window light you do have will be enough.
What do we wear?
I always recommend wearing whatever you feel your best in! Something that is simple and comfortable. Neutrals (tans, whites, creams, greys, pastels, ect.) and lights are best so that the focus will be on the natural beauty of the baby. This works best for the whole family including the baby. I will bring a few neutral wraps and onesies but you can definitely use whatever you have as well. Babies look cute in even just a diaper!
I hope this helps you! lifestyle session are something I have truly come to love just as much as studio sessions! Contact me book your newborn session today!!