Hello there, and congratulations - you have booked a newborn in-home photoshoot with Nordic Tales Photography… and you are probably wondering what to expect?
Most of my newborn photoshoots are done in the homes of my clients. Many clients wonder if their home is suitable, nice enough, tidy enough … or all the other worries you might have - and I can reassure you - the answer is YES! On the contrary, I think in-home portraits gain in value over time. Many years into the future, you will look back at these images and the surrounding of your own home will provide so much context, so much memories. Homes change as children grow - and where it all started, will be your most treasured memory.
There is surprisingly little that we need for an in-home photoshoot: first of all, a window and light! A white wall would be great - and for the rest, I will bring along what we need!
When I arrive, you should just lean back and focus on what’s important: The cuddles, the love, all the special feels of the first days and weeks. I will make the magic happen!
What can you expect from an in-home shoot?
There is very little, you need to prepare - but I will ask you for a couple of things that will make the photoshoot easier and more efficient once you arrive:
I will do a little tour through your house or apartment once I arrive to see where light is best - but usually, we take pictures in the bedroom, near a window, and maybe a few on the sofa or in your living room and kitchen area. Your ideas are always welcome of course!
On the day of the photoshoot, please put on some neutral bed sheets (white is great, also beige, grey etc. works) - anything neutral without a strong pattern, and iron them, if you can :) this is the moment to have a bed set up like in a real estate catalogue ;)
Please all take off your socks. When looking at the pictures, you will quickly notice, that this makes pictures somehow cozy, normal, relaxed and ‘at home’. So feet and hands will be on the pictures - if this is the moment to get a manicure, go for it!
Pictures are created as we go. If there are siblings, they are of course not only welcome, but required to be in the family pictures! I will ask you, what you like doing as a family, I will as you to play with the sibling kids in their room, will encourage them to jump on the sofa… even go to the tool shed, if this is something that is an important place in your everyday family life! We want to capture life, as it is, freeze it in time, for just a little longer!
I usually start with baby - some individual portraits on a big pillow in front of the white wall or on your bed. We will wrap baby in all types of fabrics and do little poses if the situation allows. From experience I know that parents are often very nervous about this part - will my baby be peaceful or fussy?
And while babies certainly have their own character and mood or the day and we cannot influence or force everything, let me tell you that - usually - these little babies are just fine! If you can, give them a feed just before you arrive, or anything that will make them sleepy! Also, put baby directly into the outfit you want to take pictures in, so we can just place them as they arrive and take already a few shots without annoying baby with many outfit changes!
You can also feed during the photoshoot if this relaxes you and your baby - so no need to stress, we will take our time! Once we have captured some beautiful, classy baby portraits, we will move on to take other family pictures… or the other way round! We will go with the flow :)
It’s the most frequently asked question and a concern for so many mums - what can baby and I possibly wear?
To put it out there straight away (and you will recognise this on my pictures)… I love all nudes, beiges, whites! They make skin look beautiful, are classy and timeless and put the focus of the eye on what is important in the image: the face, the expression, the emotion!
The recommendation I give to everyone is to come in an outfit you feel comfortable with! Pick something without big patterns and in neutral colours, anything that is soft, maybe even knitted, something that hugs your and baby’s body!
And beyond that, I have a few items in my rental wardrobe, that I am happy to prepare - just let me know upfront which ones you are interested in, and I’ll make sure we will have them ready for the photoshoot! You can check out the outfits here:
https://www.nordictalesphotography.com/mumsrentalwardrobe
Most parents have more items for their babies to wear than for themselves… but nevertheless, I also have some cute baby outfits, some scarves and blankets we always use during the shoots! They will be ready for you to choose from when you arrive, you can find a sneak preview here!
This was a lot of information to digest! So I want to close this of saying that I’m so looking forward to meet you, and to make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you!
If you have any questions in the meantime, just reach out - you can literally ask me anything!
