ahhhh newborn sessions! They are my ABSOLUTE favorite ya’ll! There is nothing more special than a fresh new life! Newborn babes in all their pure baby perfection, with that addicting smell that just makes your uterus hurt……. So, what kind of newborn session is right for you and your new babe??? I am going to break down my 5 reasons, as a Birmingham, AL lifestyle newborn photographer, why in-home, lifestyle sessions will always be my favorite.

Don’t get me wrong studio sessions are beautiful! I give MAD props to other photographers that offer them! If you are committed and certain that is what you want, then I HIGHLY encourage you to find an amazing photographer that offers that incredible baby molding magic!

I will never be that photographer. I am also a former L&D nurse and I find such stunning beauty and perfection in a fresh life, that I feel it doesn’t need any prompts, posing, or distractions to show, which is why I feel that lifestyle newborn sessions are the perfect way to capture that.

First, lets answer the biggest question…. Why book a newborn session at all?

I don’t know about ya’ll but post partum life is HARD. There is really no other word for it. It’s HARD, and RAW, and REAL, and BEAUTIFUL. Forget the dark circles, forget the pad you’re wearing that’s the size of TX, forget the HUGE surge of hormones that rivals that of a teenage boy, that have you feeling ALL. THE. THINGS…… All of that melts away when you drink in that intoxicating love you have for this amazing new life that YOU MADE!

It doesn’t matter if your hair is curled, or your make-up is perfect. But I promise you in 10 years when you look back, it will matter that you had the time documented.

The time where hours, minutes, and days seem interchangeable in the exhausted haze of those first few weeks. Where most of the time you smell like soured milk, it doesn’t matter if you breast or bottle feed, you know that smell I’m talking about 🤣… Where you feel like you’re loosing your mind, but at the same time you don’t ever want it to end because that will mean those precious babies, with the kissable feet, soft skin, and intoxicating smell, are now older….. and their feet smell, they are always sticky, and you aren’t sure what that smell is that follows them, but you know it’s not the same one you used to get drunk on 🤣

When we had our sweet Adelaide Emmerson over 9 years ago now….. the LAST thing I wanted to do was be involved in any type of pictures, and actually had a complete postpartum emotional meltdown the morning of our lifestyle newborn session…. but my husband (being the VERY brave man that he is, lol), very gently encouraged me to take a shower, put on some fresh sweatpants, and to be in at least a couple of pictures, and oh how I love that man for that ( I mean I love him for other reasons too…. most of the time anyway 🤣🙈, but he gets extra points for that one!).. Those pictures are something I will FOREVER cherish.

So, now that you know why it’s so important to book a lifestyle newborn session, let’s talk about why I LOVE in-home Sessions!

Reason #1 You don’t have to leave home!

My most favorite reason for having in-home, lifestyle newborn session, is because they are IN-HOME! Seriously leaving the house with a newborn is a STRUGGLE ya’ll. After trying to get yourself, and another living, breathing human ready, THEN you have to pack up ALLLLLLL the things you just used to get ready, along with about 1/2 of your earthly possession, get everybody in the car…… ANNNNNDDDD then by that time it’s going to be time to feed the babe!

Whew!!! I have just successfully stressed myself out typing that! No, but seriously…. not fun…..

Reason #2 in-home sessions don’t last as long as studio sessions

I love that an in-home, lifestyle newborn session does not take 3-4 hours like a studio session often does. A lifestyle session is just like it sounds. It documents the real, and beautiful way of life with a new baby. There is no need to overfeed the babe to try and make them extra sleepy, or change outfits 5-6 times. My normal sessions last anywhere from an hour to an hour and 1/2 on average. That’s not to say some aren’t shorter or longer, but it is not a huge, exhausting production! Lifestyle newborn sessions are not supposed to be stressful, and shouldn’t last all day!

Reason #3 In-home sessions are laid back!

I am there to document LIFE as it happens! Like we talked about earlier, momma to momma, I don’t want you cleaning up, or feeling like you have to change anything for me! I am there to document the real and raw beauty of that precious new babe! If baby needs to eat, that’s ok! If baby needs 2 or 3 diaper changes, that’s ok too! Or, if big brother or sister needs a snack or a snuggle, I’m here for it! I want my momma’s to think of me as an old friend that is coming to hang out! I am not on a set schedule of what has to happen when, and I honestly have zero expectations of how the session should go. I know we will get some amazing images during my time with your sweet family, so don’t stress or worry about anything!

Also, older siblings are much more comfortable in their own environment, and are much more likely to be a willing participants in their own home. There are big changes happening for brothers/sisters, so I like to make them feel special too! Being at home also allows them to take a break and to go watch tv or play, without having to stay at a studio for hours on end, with nothing fun for them to do.

#4 You DO NOT have to clean, straighten, or tidy ANYTHING for me! NO, SERIOUSLY

and let me just dispel another myth while we are on the subject….. I. DON’T. CARE. WHAT. YOUR. HOUSE. LOOKS. LIKE. No, I’m serious!…. I have birthed 3 tiny humans myself, and I KNOW what it’s like in those early days. So, PLEASE don’t say the words, “I’m sorry about my house….” If your house is spotless then honestly you’re going to make me feel very bad about myself, So let’s just be real for a second….. The last time my house was spotless was at least 2 kids ago, but it’s a very distant memory, so I can’t be sure 🤣🤦‍♀️

I will move and adjust what I need when I get there, so please don’t clean up for me!

#5 In-home newborn sessions are personal and special

Having an in-home session is also extra special, IMO, because it’s where you are making those irreplaceable memories, that you will want to remember forever. It doesn’t matter if you are living in your forever home, or just a home for now. You will make lasting memories there, and when you look back at your sweet babes newborn pictures years down the road, it will bring all those memories and emotions from that time and place.

So, what do you think?! Is an in-home, lifestyle newborn session right for you? If you have had an in-home session, are these the reasons you would do it again, or do you have another reason to add?!

If you are in Birmingham, AL (or any surrounding area), and are interested in booking an in-home, lifestyle newborn session, I would love to chat! Click HERE to send me a message!

xoxo

Alex Uselton