There are two different types of newborn photography and several different ways to execute it.  Studio newborn photography and Lifestyle newborn photography.  With studio newborn photography, newborns are posed using pillows and blankets and the main focus of the session is on the newborn.  Newborns are carefully posed and then images are a lot of times created from composites (no, that baby is not really holding her head up with her tiny hands and no, that photographer did not hang that baby from a net on a frail tree branch :))  With lifestyle photography, as the definition above states, it aims to capture and document real-life events and milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday. My journey with newborn photography has been a fun one.  When I first started, I tried a mix of both posed and lifestyle to see what I liked.  I was trying to figure it all out and see what style was more “me”.  I did not feel connected to studio newborn work.  Don’t get me wrong, when it is done properly and safely, it is very beautiful, but it did not make my heart happy.  I LOVE newborn lifestyle;  it feeds my soul and warms my heart.  I get to capture the proud glimmer in Dad’s eyes as he tells me about how strong his daughter already is and Mom really getting the “shoosh and bounce” down perfectly.  Not to mention the dog carefully guarding the nursery and big brother showing me how he “helps” Mom.  As a lifestyle photographer, I am kind of a story teller, documenting and telling the story of your family.  Here are some benefits to having a newborn lifestyle session with me.   1. Location:  I come to you!  Some of you Mamas may be more daring than I was, but in the beginning, we didn’t go anywhere as a family, unless it was to the pediatrician’s office.  Lugging all of baby’s stuff while Mom is still healing from giving birth not to mention trying to be on time (we were 15 minutes late to both of our daughter’s first doctor’s appointments and if you know me, you know I am never late. Ever.).  It’s just tough getting out.  With all of my newborn sessions, I come to you.  You don’t have to worry about anything, because we will be in your home, where all of your things are and where you are most comfortable.  You can breathe and really be yourself.  When I get to your home, I am initially going to try to find the room with the best natural light.  Being a natural light photographer, I do not use flash (unless I absolutely have to) nor do I bring light stands.  This may mean we photograph in your guest bedroom, office or even kitchen!  The above bottom left image was shot in their office where their dog’s kennel was – but your can’t tell, can you!  As you plan your session, start to think about which room has the best natural light, at what time of day and we can work with that at your session.  One thing people are always concerned with is, “Oh no, you want to come here?  My house is a mess/we have an outdated house/I need new carpet/there are toys everywhere/I hate the comforter on my bed”.  Your home is beautiful.  You know why I know without even seeing it yet?  Because that is where you brought your baby home – That’s why!  We get to photograph in your rooms, with your blankets,  and your stuff (although I always bring a couple of cute swaddles just incase).  If there are toys out, it’s ok.  Here is a photo I took when I brought my second child, Norah home.  There are toys everywhere (Dad had been home alone for 4 days), but I think it’s beautiful and tells a story.   Obviously try to declutter in the rooms that you think we may photograph in, but you get the gist.  It’s your home and your story.  Another good thing about shooting at home is that all of your things are there.  I recently photographed a newborn and in her nursery, I noticed a beautiful cross-stitched quilt.  The Mother told me that her Grandmother (baby’s Great Grandmother) had started it, but passed away before she could finish it and that her Mother learned to cross-stitch, so that she could finish it.  I loved that quilt and story, so we used it as a backdrop for a few of our photos.   2.) Timeline:  With newborn sessions, it is best to photograph in the first two weeks of their tiny lives.  Why?  Because they sleep.  A lot.  Heck, I think they sleep almost 20 hours a day (usually not at night though ;))  In studio photography it is most important to do it in this timeframe because they do not want baby awake.  At all.  Baby doesn’t know he/she has to hold a pose let alone stay calm while not being in Mom or Dad’s arms, so it is crucial to make sure baby is asleep for these types of sessions.  With lifestyle, it isn’t quite as important.  Since I don’t use baskets or wagons as props and instead Mom and Dad’s arms, it isn’t such a big deal if baby won’t sleep.  I still do like to photograph newborns in those first two weeks though because they change so much, so fast!  But if you are a Mom who regrets not scheduling a newborn session, we can still do it later.  I once photographed a newborn at 6 weeks, but I would say even 10 wouldn’t be too late.   3.) Family: Another benefit to in home lifestyle sessions is that your whole family is there.  Not only are new baby’s siblings there, but also their fur siblings.  I love dogs and cats with their new family member because a lot of times they are just as excited as the real siblings!  Let’s face it, taking small children to a photography studio is not fun.  I never had to do it, but my Mom always tells me horror stories of the times she had to take my brother and I to JCPenny’s and of the boredom induced meltdowns.  There are great independent studio photographers out there who gear their studios towards children now, but being in your own home has a lot of advantages.  There was a session that I loved where the new little one was having a hard time settling down, so her big sister ran and grabbed her favorite toy to help soothe her.  These are the moments I love to capture and you can’t make this stuff up.   4.) Details:  I love capturing details.  I think this might be why I love photographing weddings so much.  I love photographing things that other people may not notice.  Like the fact that the swaddle you have on your little one has her monogram on it or that her tiny foot is peeking out of said swaddle or that the dog is sitting outside the nursery watching me so I don’t hurt his new human sister.  I love capturing these little bits of you and your family.   5.) The connection:  I am here to photograph your connection as a family and to your new baby.  The bond between a new baby and his/her parents is such an amazingly beautiful thing.  You made him/her and now they are here!  Of course I give you a little bit of guidance, but these images are your story and you can’t make this stuff up.  These are your moments and memories; captured.   The number one question I get when I arrive at a shoot is, “What do we do?”  It’s easy.  Just be you.  Your beautiful, loving self.  My main goal in my sessions is to create artful images of you and your family, just the way you are.  These first few weeks are such an exciting time for families and I love capturing those emotions.  And when you look back at your images when your newest addition is 15 years old, you will feel a connection to these images still, because this is how things were, even when I wasn’t there.  Toys on the floor, spit up on your shoulder, beautiful but sleepy eyes and a lovely, tiny new baby.  This was really how you will remember it.   I love photographing lifestyle.  I shoot all of my sessions this way.  It warms my heart and fuels my soul.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  This is your family, in your real life, everyday situations, just as you will always remember it. To schedule your newborn lifestyle session, contact me at erin@erinschmidtphoto.com or 734.377.9261  I am based out of the Michigan Metro Detroit area, but am available for travel anywhere in the world.  Contact me for destination photography discounts.