Bringing a new baby home is a whirlwind of love, sleepless nights, and everything in between. Your newborn session should feel like a pause! A deep breath. A cozy, love-filled time capsule of these fleeting days.




If you're wondering how to prepare for your lifestyle newborn session, here are a few tips to help you feel calm, confident, and present. Spoiler: You don't have to clean like your mother-in-law is visiting.

Close-up of a sleeping baby's bare feet and legs resting on soft white patterned bedding. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer
A family lies comfortably together on a white bed while sharing tender moments and laughter. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer
Extreme close-up macro shots show smooth skin and soft textures in warm sepia tones. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer

1. You Do Not Need a Perfectly Spotless Home




I promise, I'm not showing up with a white glove. Your home is lived in, and that’s what makes it beautiful. I’m trained to shoot around clutter, move a burp cloth here or a phone charger there, and find the best light in any space.




We’ll focus on snuggly corners, soft light, and real moments; not magazine-perfect rooms. So if you have a sink full of dishes or laundry tucked in a corner... welcome to parenthood. No need to stress.



A series of intimate black and white photography moments capturing tender interactions between couples in bed.
Two people sharing a tender moment while looking at their newborn in a cozy room with pink curtains. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer
A series of moody close-up portraits against a dark background showcasing somber expressions in dramatic lighting.
Sleeping baby wearing a gray knit sweater lies on floral print bedding in moody lighting. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer

2. Keep It Comfy (For You + Baby)



Think soft neutrals, cozy textures, and clothes you feel like you in. A flowy robe, a worn-in t-shirt, a knit swaddle. Simple is beautiful. Avoid logos or anything super bright that might distract from the connection.

Your baby can be in a simple onesie, a swaddle, or even just a diaper - whatever feels natural. No need for elaborate outfits or props. The focus is on love, not styling.


Couple bonding with their newborn baby and siamese cat in a dimly lit room. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer
A sleeping baby in a pink cap rests on white bedding in soft lighting with shadows cast across their gentle features.
A loving couple embraces their newborn baby in a tender moment. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer

3. Feed When You Need To (Yes, Breastfeeding Is Welcome)


If your baby needs to eat mid-session, feed them. Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, these are part of your story. I’m always honored to document those quiet, bonding moments.

 Breastfeeding photography is 100% welcomed and encouraged in my sessions. It’s intimate, powerful, and a memory so many mamas are grateful to have captured.

A person sits casually on a brown leather couch in a minimalist room with white walls and a circular mirror.
A heartwarming family moment as a woman in rust-colored clothing sits on a couch nursing an infant while a toddler looks on.

4. Keep Baby Awake for a Bit Before


If possible, try to have baby awake for a little while before I arrive, and feed them right before the session. A freshly fed, sleepy baby is often happy to be snuggled and photographed! But if your baby’s schedule has other ideas, that’s okay too. We go with the flow!


A family sits together on a wooden floor with children and their dog in a room with green walls. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer
A family shares intimate moments while posing together in front of a white window. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer
Close up macro photo of hands clasped together showing connection and intimacy. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer
A person wearing a white t-shirt embraces another in their arms. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer

5. Don’t Worry About the Clock


Lifestyle newborn sessions are unhurried. There’s time for diaper changes, cluster feeds, fussy pauses, or a moment to breathe. These sessions typically last around 1-1.5 hours, but I always buffer in flexibility because baby runs the show, not the clock.


Tender moments between family members sitting on steps at dusk. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer

6. Be in the Frame


You might feel tired, emotional, or not like yourself yet...but I gently encourage you to be in the photos. These aren't just for now, they're for your baby to look back on someday and see how loved they were from the very beginning.




And trust me: you will never regret being in those photos.

A couple shares a tender moment with their newborn baby in a bright, sunlit room. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer
Bare feet and legs resting on a gray speckled couch with someone wearing shorts and a white t-shirt. Pittsburgh / Westmoreland Photographer

final thoughts



My goal is for your newborn session to feel like a cozy Sunday morning at home: slow, full of snuggles, and completely authentic to your family’s story. No stiff poses. No expectations. Just love, light, and the beautiful chaos of new life.




If you're ready to book or just want to chat more about what a session might feel like for your family, I'm here for it: messy house, cluster feeds, and all. 



Ready to document your first days at home with baby?


Let’s create photos that feel like you. Inquire here or learn more about my motherhood package here.