As a newborn photographer in the St. Paul area, I work with families exclusively in their homes to capture the beautiful moments of welcoming a new baby into the family. Hosting an in-home photoshoot is a wonderful way to enjoy a photography experience in a comfortable, familiar environment, while allowing your baby to set the pace for images we’ll create together.
However, for many families, allowing an outsider into their home at this precious time in their lives can bring about concern for the state of their home. Here are 6 of the most common things parents often apologize for when I enter their home, why you shouldn’t be concerned, and how we’ll work together to create heirloom quality images of your family, under any circumstance.
1. Clutter & Mess
A well-lived-in home full of love will usually show signs of family life. Social media has led us to believe that counters are always cleared and spotless, dishes never live in the sink, trash never piles up, pet hair is non-existent, and laundry heaps are invisible. But that is far from reality. Welcoming your sweet newborn home comes with a new sleep schedule and an adjustment for the entire family, which can easily throw the most organized home into disorder. As a newborn photographer who exclusively offers an in-home experience to families in Edina, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, I can assure you that the average home is filled with clutter, mess, and dishes waiting to be washed, and those items are nothing to cause concern or apology in the presence of your photographer.
2. Newborn Tears
Newborns cry, and rest assured, it’s not just your baby; it’s all babies. It’s how they communicate their needs, whether hungry, tired, wet, or just in need of some soothing provided by the warm comfort of their parents. It’s true that some newborns cry more than others, and it tends to be a source of stress for parents throughout the newborn photography experience. A crying baby is all part of the process during a St. Paul newborn photoshoot.
In order to prepare ahead of time, I recommend a feeding and a changing so that by the time I arrive, baby is ready for a deep sleep, which will allow them to be moved freely without discomfort or agitation. If they are unable to fall asleep, or we find ourselves in the company of tears, we will take our time, follow your baby’s cues, and enjoy every memory-making moment of your St. Paul newborn photoshoot. You can find a full guide to preparing baby (and your home) ahead of our scheduled session, at this link.
3. Toddler Energy
Older siblings (and furbabies) are always welcome to join the family in front of the camera to welcome their brand new baby brother or baby sister. Toddlers are adventurous beings full of energy, ready to explore the world around them. Their idea of fun can sometimes differ from the family activity put before them. As a mom myself, I would never expect a toddler to sit still and smile for the camera. In fact, I often advocate for exploration and play, fun and games throughout my sessions. This will allow your toddler to enjoy your in-home St. Paul newborn photoshoot on their own terms, get the wiggles out, and prepare them for time with the new baby (in a safe way) in front of the camera, all without concern or apologies over their boundless energy.
4. Your Dog’s Behavior
Dogs and cats are part of your family; sometimes, they even join your home before your first baby arrives. The arrival of your sweet baby might just be as exciting for them as it is for you and your toddler-aged children. This can translate into pups being hypervigilant when newcomers, like your baby photographer, enter your home. Dogs bark, follow, jump, and sometimes even say hello in a very unexpected way. It’s only understandable that they need a minute to warm up and figure out that my arrival is with good intentions.
5. Toys Everywhere
Baby, toddler, and dog toys have a way of finding themselves in every corner of a home. They get left behind near the coffee pot, wind up on the floor, or find themselves in piles lining the stairs or the cushions of your couch. Toys are meant to be played with, and as such, that means they are not always neatly tucked away, housed in discreet decorative bins. They end up everywhere, and the visibility of toys shouldn’t take up your energy with apologies when I enter your home.
6. Not Having a Nursery
For a number of reasons, some families welcome their baby home without a nursery. A nursery is not a requirement for an in-home St. Paul newborn photoshoot. Beautiful images of your family, captured in the comfort of your home, can be created in a number of spaces, in a variety of ways, none of which requires a fully furnished nursery. If you do have a nursery that you’d like to access throughout the photoshoot, then we can discuss various ways to utilize the room throughout the planning process. If your home does not have a nursery, we can discuss other spaces where you feel comfortable coming together as a family to capture images of this beautiful moment in your lives.
Enjoying Your Newborn Photoshoot in St. Paul
Your home is the space where you will welcome your baby, tumble through sleepless nights, and allow holidays, traditions, and all of life’s beautiful milestones to unfold. Hosting a family photoshoot in this space, at a time when you are navigating a new sleep schedule and family routine, may bring up concerns about whether or not your house is picture-perfect. This is a valid feeling that nearly all of the parents I work with experience, and you are not alone in the apprehension you feel. My process as a newborn and family photographer ensures that all members of your family are seen and celebrated. You can find more details on the in-home photography experience I offer in St. Paul, Edina, Minneapolis, and beyond when you visit this link.
