Close-up of a newborn baby's tiny bare feet lying on a soft white textured blanket.

 

Preparing for your Newborn Session

 

Congratulations on your newest addition! I am so so excited and honored you have asked me to capture your family.

Newborn lifestyle sessions are shot in the comfort of your home with a very relaxed feel. I use mostly natural light while capturing the joy between parents and love you share for your newborn in your home.

 

Step 1: Save my number in your cell! 


While we set a tentative date ahead of time, please text me within 24–48 hours of your baby’s arrival. This allows us to confirm or adjust our session date to guarantee a spot on my calendar within the newborn timeframe, especially if you deliver earlier or later than expected.


Cell: 248-495-9764

 

Step 2: Prep the house

 

Mother sitting in a nursery glider chair holding her newborn baby viewed through an open doorway.

 

Natural Light

 

open all blinds

 

I ask that you open up all of the blinds and curtains in your home prior to my arrival and turn off all the lights. This enables me to find the best source of natural light in your home, so that I can set up in the best possible location.

 

New parents standing together holding their newborn baby in a bright white nursery room.

Heat/AC

house temp 72-75

 

Please turn up the heat (winter only) or turn down the AC (summer only)  about an hour prior to our session so your house is roughly 72-75 degrees (please don’t feel you need to make it any hotter than this). This will allow your baby to feel comfortable, sleepy and relaxed throughout the session.

 

A mother sits on a couch holding her newborn while her young son photographs her with a toy camera.

Feed **important**

feed a full feed prior

 

For example, if our session is at 10AM, please start to feed around 9:30/45AM. I know how stressful feeding can be during those first few weeks, and please understand the feeding suggestion is just a recommendation to ensure we get the most images delivered in your final gallery.


If nursing, please make sure to wake baby for a full feed (nurses both sides). It is okay if you are still finishing up nursing when I arrive. Tips to keep baby awake nursing: feed baby naked, use a cold washcloth, tickle toes, move around while nursing.


If bottling, please bottle around 15 minutes prior. I also highly recommend being mindful of the pediatrician guideline of feeding every 2-3 hours the night before your session, as well as the morning of. If your newborn goes longer than 2-3 hours the night before our session, please understand they might be hungrier/eager to cluster feed and more awake than normal during our session.


Please text me if you have ANY questions on how to time out feeding. I had a different feeding journey for all three of my babies between breastfeeding, exclusively pumping, and/or formula feeding. I truly understand how stressful feeding can be & am here to help you!!!!


 

A couple sits on a couch gazing at their newborn with yellow tulips in the foreground.

 

Declutter

 

empty out room(s)

 

Try to make sure the extra clutter (burp rags, clothes, pacifiers etc.) find its way to a closet or bin along with baby swings, basinets, pack-n-plays, toy bins, etc. Please be sure to declutter the ENTIRE room we will be shooting in.


I shoot at angles based on the best lighting within your home; therefore, anything within the room be in the shot & delivered in your final gallery/images. Give your husband a box and have him toss all clutter in it the morning of our session (or shove it all in a closet). Be mindful of extension cords, items under the crib/bed, and baby monitor cords in the nursery. I also love to capture families snuggled up on the bed together and recommend clearing nightstands and dresser counters of clutter or distracting elements.

 

A couple sits on a beige sofa together, smiling down at their newborn baby wrapped in a cream blanket.
select 1 month prior

 

I recommend picking your outfits out at least one month before your due date. If you need to order anything, it often takes a couple weeks to arrive in the mail.


I find it is also very stressful one week postpartum to go through your closet & find something to wear. Please read below for outfit suggestions along with access to my styling catalog!

 

Step 3: Outfit Prep

What to wear?

Color palette

I recommend sticking to neutral LIGHT tones (cream, beige, ivory). Neutral tones will photograph best, match my editing style, and keep focus on baby.


Adding in color for in-home can often add color casting to the newborn's skin tone.

 

Style

Wear outfits that represent YOUR FAMILY! These are your images that will be hung on your walls. If you don't wear dresses, wear light toned maternity jeans or sweats/pjs for a more casual, cozy vibe!!


Solids are best (vs pattern) to keep focus on baby and your family. Avoid logos and distracting patterns.

 

tips for mom

 

Mom, since our session takes place 7-21 days postpartum, you will more than likely still be in maternity clothes during our session. Please keep that in mind when shopping for/planning your outfit! Keep clothes loose and non constricting. Avoid t-shirts (even maternity ones) unless you are comfortable when sitting down— they will cling to your stomach postpartum.


Be mindful of anything too low cut (especially if you're nursing as your cup size will be 1-2 sizes larger in the beginning). Please wear something YOU feel good in that represents you, and I promise you will look beautiful!


 

tips for dad

Avoid polos (it looks like he just went golfing). I recommend sticking to neutral t-shirts, sweatshirts, button down shirts, or henleys.


Be careful if you order dad's shirt off Amazon! Please make sure he tries it on prior and everything fits comfortably.

 

Outfit Styling Service & Catalog!



I know outfits can be a challenge which is why I offer a catalog to help style your family for your upcoming session.


Styling Service Catalog (click here)

Email: sarahsbowen@gmail.com

PW: sbphoto2026


Once signed in, click the account tab and open the Maternity Styling Catalog.


There are hundreds of finds organized in folders- you can find pieces by editing style, dress, price range, gender, age etc.

Newborn lifestyle photography outfit guide featuring neutral brown and white clothing.
New parents relaxing on beige sofa with newborn baby, framed family photos displayed on wall behind them.

Dressy

 

  • mom in a flowy, ivory solid color or light patterned dress
  • brown/cream/white/ivory color palette

 

Newborn lifestyle session outfit inspiration featuring cream and navy tones for family.
Happy family with newborn and toddler sitting in front of wooden crib in nursery.

Casual

 

  • mom in jeans with a loose sweater or lounge wear.
  • cream/beige/white/blue color palette

 

Newborn lifestyle outfit guide featuring sage green, rust, and denim blue family clothing.
Young family with toddler and twin newborns sitting on nursery floor in front of white crib.

Elevated Casual

 

  • mom in a flowy, solid, light colored casual dress
  • stick to light shades of earth tones with a pop of color
  • sage/burnt orange/light blue

 

Blonde woman in grey robe sits with Husky dog in teal nursery room with wooden crib.
Smiling brunette mother in white robe holds sleeping newborn while sitting on bed.
Smiling blonde mother in cream outfit holds newborn in green nursery with Mason name sign.
Peaceful newborn baby sleeping in a wicker bassinet wrapped in a soft white knit blanket with a bow headband.

How to dress baby!



Typically the first half of the session baby will wear a neutral colored onesie/outfit of your choice and the second half of the session baby can be lifestyle swaddled or wrapped in a blanket (up to you). I have a large variety of basic neutral (white & cream) onesies, footed sleepers, rompers, AND headbands I will bring to the session!!  I have colored stretchy swaddles, I will bring for you to select as well.


If you want something specific or a specific color, please see the recommended stores below (or use the styling catalog above to hunt for outfits!).



Outfits that photograph best are footed rompers, onesies, knotted gowns, and two piece sets. I always recommend sticking to a neutral toned, solid colored outfit (avoid patterns) for baby, this way the focus is on his/her details instead of the outfit.


Try to stick to NB sizes with 0-3M outfit size as a back up if your session is scheduled past the first two weeks.


Mebie Baby

Isla & Fraser

Kyte Baby

Kate Quinn

Caden Lane

Spearmint

Amazon

Newborn baby resting on a changing pad atop a white dresser in a softly decorated nursery with gold accents.
Happy parents holding newborn baby and golden doodle dog in a charming woodland wallpaper nursery.

 

questions?

Please reach out if you have any questions!

Cannot wait to meet your little one!

Contact me