In-home newborn session guide
Welcome!
A relaxed newborn session in the comfort of your home. No stiff posing and no pressure — just real connection, natural moments, and the story of your family exactly as it is. I’ll guide with gentle direction, but the focus is always on the love that already lives here.
Why At Home?
Your home is the heart of your family’s story. It is where you bring your babies home, learn how to hold them, feed them, comfort them, and fall deeply in love. No studio will ever hold the same meaning.
At home:
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Your newborn is relaxed and comforted
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There’s no rushing, driving, or packing
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Children feel most at ease
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Your images become deeply personal and true
What to Expect From Lifestyle Photography?
My approach is simple: I photograph your family as you truly are. Instead of stiff posing, I document natural interactions — rocking, feeding, kissing tiny cheeks, snuggling on the couch, and everything in between.
I will give gentle prompts, but I won’t ask everyone to stare into the camera or say cheese. The real magic lives in the natural moments between poses.
Preparing Your Baby:
A little preparation helps the session go smoothly:
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Change your baby’s diaper before we begin.
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Dress them in the outfit you want photographed before feeding.
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If possible, plan a feeding about 45-30 minutes before the session so they are calm and sleepy.
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Babies love warmth — turning the heat up slightly can keep them relaxed and comfortable.
And if it doesn’t go exactly as planned, that is perfectly normal. Feeding breaks, soothing, and pauses are expected — your baby leads the rhythm of the session.
What to Wear:
For Parents
Choose clothing that feels comfortable and natural. Soft fabrics, simple patterns, and neutral tones photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your baby.
If You Breastfeed
If you are nursing, it can be incredibly helpful to wear something breastfeeding-friendly. Babies often need to nurse during the session, and easy clothing access makes the process calm and seamless.
This is totally normal, expected, and welcomed.
Breastfeeding Images (Optional)
Breastfeeding photographs are incredibly close to my heart. I even once hosted a group breastfeeding photoshoot just for nursing mothers. I personally breastfed all three of my babies, so please never feel embarrassed, shy, or intimidated. You are doing an amazing job.
If you would like breastfeeding images captured, I would be honored to document that connection in a beautiful, respectful, and natural way.
For Siblings & Family
Coordinate rather than match. Neutral or complementary tones look wonderful together. Avoid bright colors, neon shades, or bold prints that pull attention away from the baby.
Most importantly, choose clothing everyone is comfortable in — pieces that allow movement, cuddles, and play.
Color Suggestions:
If you’re not sure what colors photograph best, here are some simple guidelines to help.
For Baby
Cream, ivory, soft beige, or other pale neutrals are always beautiful. These tones keep the images timeless and allow your baby to remain the focus.
For Parents and Siblings
Soft, earthy, and light colors work best, such as:
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Beige
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Sage
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Olive
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Khaki
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Warm neutrals
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Muted pastels
These tones blend together beautifully and complement natural skin tones indoors.
Colors to Avoid
While almost anything can work, some colors make indoor newborn photos more difficult. If possible, try to avoid:
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Neon or highly saturated colors
They reflect light onto skin and can cause strong color casts (for example: bright pink light on cheeks or neon green shadows). -
Very bright or bold pinks
Light blush is fine, but hot or fuchsia pink can overpower the image and cast onto skin. -
Vivid reds or oranges
These tend to photograph harshly and can make skin tones look warm or uneven. -
Pure black
It can be elegant, but in newborn sessions it often looks very heavy in soft, bright images. It also shows lint and pet hair easily. -
Dark navy or deep jewel tones (indoors)
They can work in some cases, but in small or softly lit spaces they often pull the image darker and more dramatic than lifestyle newborn photography usually looks. -
Large, bold patterns or busy prints
They pull attention away from the baby and can make the images feel visually cluttered. -
Large logos or sports/team branding
These date the photos and distract from emotional connection.
If you have a baby girl, I know avoiding pink can feel nearly impossible — and a soft blush pink is completely fine. The goal is simply to stay away from bright, intense colors that can distract or cast color onto skin.
Soft, simple, and light tones will always photograph best and keep your images looking natural, clean, and cohesive.
Using Your Home as the Setting
We typically photograph in:
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The nursery (if you have one)
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The living room
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One additional room with beautiful natural light
No need to prepare or deep clean your home. I can move small items as needed to create clean compositions. A lived-in home photographs beautifully and honestly — and that is the heart of lifestyle photography.
Including Older Siblings
It’s completely normal for young children to need time to warm up. Some jump in instantly, while others want to observe, explore, or stay close to a parent first.
During the session:
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Let them be themselves
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Avoid pressure or forced smiles
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Keep praise positive and encouraging
With patience and space, genuine moments always come.
After the Session
Your Proofing Gallery
Within 7–14 days (up to 30 during peak season), you’ll receive an online proofing gallery with softly edited images. This lets you view the photographs before final retouching.
Choosing Your Images
At this point, you’ll select the collection you’d like to purchase and choose the images you’d like to keep. You’ll also have the option to add additional images if you’d like more than what your collection includes.
Please make selections within 7 days to help keep the editing process on schedule.
What Is a Proofing Gallery?
Your proofing gallery will include softly edited images — these are lightly adjusted for color and exposure but not fully retouched yet. This allows you to see the images first and choose your favorites.
For example, you’ll see:
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The original image straight from the camera
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A softly edited version in your proofing gallery
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The final fully polished edit after you make your selections
This way you know exactly what you’re choosing before final editing begins.
Products, Albums & Artwork
Once you select your final images, you can also purchase professional products, including:
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Fine art matted prints
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Heirloom albums
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Framed wall art
Some packages already include printed products or an album, while others are fully digital with optional add-ons. Everything is available à la carte.
Fine Art Prints included in The Classic and The Full Story Packages.
Add-Ons
I can take care of everything for you—from framed prints to albums and matted prints. Below you’ll find all the available options.
Framed Prints
(8×10 matted print in maple or black frame)
$300 each
2 for $550
3 for $750
Albums
10×10 — $500
8×8 — $400
Matted Prints
Set of 3 (8×10) — $99
Set of 3 (5×7) — $75
Albums?
Want to explore album options? Click below to see the beautiful keepsakes that could be sitting on your shelf, ready to let you relive your newborn’s special day whenever you wish.
Flexible Payment Options
I understand that professional photography is an investment, and I want to make it accessible for growing families. If you’d prefer to break your payment into four smaller installments, I’m happy to offer a custom payment plan. Just send me an email at [email protected], and we’ll make it work!
Final Delivery
After selections are made, final edits are applied and your finished gallery is delivered within 1–2 weeks. From there, you may download your images and share them with family.
Hey, I’m Pola.
If you want me to sit on the couch and hold your baby while you take a shower, get ready, or finally eat breakfast with two hands—I’m genuinely so happy to do that.
I’m here to make your newborn session feel easy, slow, and comfortable. No pressure. No rushing. Just real life with your brand-new baby.
I’m here to capture these early days so you can come back to them years from now—when life looks different and your baby is all grown up. (Or maybe even having a baby of their own.)
I can’t wait to meet you, love on your little one for a bit, and tell your story through my photography.
Oh mama photography
A Columbia, SC-based lifestyle photographer specializing in maternity, newborn, and family photography. With a focus on natural light and genuine connections, I create timeless, storytelling images that capture the beauty of motherhood and family bonds. My approach is relaxed and photojournalistic, allowing real moments to unfold while highlighting the small details that make your story unique. Whether it’s a cozy in-home newborn session or a sunlit maternity shoot, I strive to provide a stress-free experience that results in heartfelt, authentic photographs you’ll cherish for years to come.
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