Dressing Baby for a Lifestyle Newborn Session: Tips from a Seattle Newborn Photographer

Hey there, new parents! As a Seattle newborn photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing the sweetness of countless little ones. And, I've learned that what baby wears can make all the difference in creating a warm, cozy, and authentic atmosphere during our lifestyle newborn session.

So, what's the secret to dressing baby for a successful session? Keep it simple, sweet, and neutral!

Here are my top tips:

- Opt for a plain onesie or sleeper in a soft, neutral color like white, cream, or light gray. These colors will blend seamlessly with your home's decor and create a timeless look.

- Avoid bold patterns, bright colors, or busy designs that might distract from baby's sweet face and precious moments.

- Have a muslin swaddle or special blanket on hand for swaddling if baby is fussy. This will not only soothe your little one but also add a beautiful texture to our photos.

By dressing baby in neutral hues, we'll create a calm and peaceful atmosphere that showcases the beauty of your new addition. And, as a Seattle newborn photographer, I'll capture every precious moment in a way that's both authentic and stunning.

Whether you're in Seattle, or the surrounding areas of Shoreline, Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue, Edmonds, or Everett, I'm here to help you cherish these early days with your little one. Book your lifestyle newborn photography session now and let's capture the magic!

Welcoming Henry {Edmonds Newborn Photographer}

Welcome to the world little one.

Mentoring For Photographers {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

I am thrilled to start offering mentoring for photographers looking to start lifestyle newborn sessions! A mentoring session includes a hour chat to discuss how to run a lifestyle newborn session. After that, you’ll accompany me on a newborn session. You will watch how I shoot, have the opportunity to shoot yourself and you can ask me about any specific poses you’d like to learn. After the session, we’ll chat about editing and how to deliver a gallery that your clients will love. The cost is $900 plus WA sales tax. If you’d like to know more, please contact me today.

A Quiet Morning at Home with a New Little One {Seattle Newborn Photography}

Typically, moms contact me for newborn photos month before the baby arrives, but sometimes to do lists get overwhelming and not everything on them gets done. Other times, the parents don’t realize they want newborn photos until the baby arrives and they see how quickly they change within a few days and they know they want to photograph this time before they forget what it is like. Because I’d hate for anyone to miss out on newborn photos, I always try to fit families in even if they contact me after baby has arrived. I can’t guarantee it, but I will do my best. This family contacted me once baby had arrived and it occurred to them how quickly baby was growing. Luckily, I was able to get them in quickly and even better that they happen to live right around the corner from me. Their session was so calm and relaxed and little baby Ryan was so precious. Once she fell asleep, I couldn’t stop taking pictures of her! I hope this family will be able to look back at these images once Ryan is bigger and remember how tiny she was.

Fun Alternatives to Displaying your Photos {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

Amazing photos deserve an equally amazing display but this doesn’t mean you always have to use a traditional frame to showcase them in your home. Below is some inspiration for deciding how to display your favorite memories. If your home décor is very contemporary you might want to consider canvas gallery wraps, image blocks or standout mounts to showcase your photos. Going frameless is also a great option if you’re looking for something truly sleek and modern. If rustic and chic is more your style, then why not turn old pieces of wood into stained photo clipboards, using binder clips to hang the photos against the wood. Another unique option is to hang your photos on a thin cable to make it look like a clothesline. Binder clips also work perfectly for this. If you’re the creative type and have some extra time on your hands then there is the option of creating frames out of washi tape. This way you can incorporate different colors and designs around your photos to really make your walls pop. If you are a fan of frames, why not buy different sizes, colors and styles and create one big photo wall that displays(= a variety of memories. There are so many shapes and designs that you(= can use to create your photo wall and really( make it your own.

Since I work with so many creative vendors who offer a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional framing and display options, I am able to help you pick a unique option that suites your home and style. Whether it’s a traditional frame with hand-cut matting, shadow box or float frames, I will help you pick the right option for your home. No matter which method you choose, get creative. Filling your walls with a lifetime of memories is one of the most special and visual ways to tell the story of your family, so get hanging.

Why I Love What I Do {Seattle family photographer}

If you have ever wondered what spurs on a photographer’s passion, you are about to find

out. Below are just some of the many reasons your photographer wouldn’t change their job

for anything in the world.

1. Photography changes how you see things. You notice colors, textures, flowers,

trees, people, shapes and light in a way most people never see them.

2. You pay more attention to the beauty around you. Even the most mundane

object can become beautiful when you photograph it in a creative way. Many

photographers love their job because they develop a fascination with the world

around them by viewing it through new eyes

3. It's an amazing creative outlet. You get the chance to put a little bit of who you are

into each photo that you take. Anyone can click a camera's buttons but not everyone

can truly make a photo come to life

4. It's a challenge. Creating amazing photos that capture the magic of everyday life

doesn’t come without hard work, dedication and imagination. There is always

something new to explore and a new way to take the same photos. It’s a job that

never gets boring

5. You get to meet new people all the time. A photographer works with people from

all walks of life. Getting to know someone new is a part of the process of bringing

someone’s personality through in a photo. It also makes the job a lot more fun!

6. The flexibility is great. Being a full time photographer means you get to work your

own hours. This doesn’t mean it’s a laid back profession though. A photographer is

always aiming to perfect their craft, taking on new challenges and helping their clients achieve the perfect pictures.

When you decide to pay for a professional photo session, know that you are hiring an

individual who is passionate about what they do and is willing to go the extra mile to help

you create beautiful photos that you can treasure forever.

If you’re ready to schedule your own session, let’s connect.

At Home With a Family of Five {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

I met this strong mama though a workout program and I felt so honored when she asked me to photograph their latest little addition, Willow. Willow is adored by her big brother and big sister. It’s always so fun to see everyone step into their new roles once the new baby arrives. Little Willow has the most perfect dark brown hair, the opposite of her two big siblings. Despite her looking different, she fits in so well with her family. That third little baby is always such a blessing. They grow up just managing to fit in and they often seem to have such a laid back easy personality. Welcome to the world little Willow. You are so loved.

Welcoming Baylor {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

It’s no secret that I adore Fresh 48 sessions. That brief hospital stay before they head home and the first milestone is reached. Everything is so new, and life seems to stop still and all that matters is you and that fresh little baby. Fresh 48 sessions require me to be on call, as most mothers only get twenty four hours in the hospital. The time of day and how much notice I’m given will determine what time I will get there. This little boy was less than two hours when I got to meet him. His mama desperately wanted me to film the moments that his three older brothers met him for the first time. It was such an honor to be able to do this for them. His two big brothers were clearly extremely excited to meet him. Their smiles said it all. Number three was still figuring out what was going on, but you know the four of them are going to be best buddies. I’m honored to share these images with you.

When to Schedule Your Lifestyle Newborn Session {Seattle Family Photography}

As a lifestyle newborn photographer, my goal is always to make your newborn photo session go as smoothly as possible. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions:

How far in advance should I book my newborn session?

It is always best to book your newborn session when you are still pregnant. Knowing that babies are unpredictable and come when they’re ready, I will only book a certain amount of newborn sessions each month. We will pencil in your due date, and once baby arrives, you can let me know and we will narrow down the best date. Most moms book around the 6 month mark, however, if your baby is already here, please still reach out because I may have some availability.

How old should my baby be when we have the session?

The beauty of lifestyle sessions is that your baby doesn’t have to be sleeping for the session like most posed newborn photographers prefer. Posed photographers like to get babies in for the session in the first ten days as babies tend to sleep more in that time. For a lifestyle newborn session, it doesn’t matter if baby is a few days or a month old. I typically do in home newborn sessions in the first 2-3 weeks, but we can do it anytime in that first month. This is great if you’ve had a difficult recovery or if baby had a rough start.

How long does an in home lifestyle session take?

Sessions are relaxed and I never want you to feel rushed. I am typically at your house for about an hour and a half. If baby needs to take a break then we will do so. I don’t like to rush sessions so if we need longer than that, then I will stay longer.

What time of the day should we have our newborn session?

I will talk to you to best determine the time based on your families needs. Most sessions take place around 10am, but I am flexible if that doesn’t work for your family.

If you have any other questions or are ready to book, please get in touch. I can’t wait to chat with you.