Congratulations, mum and dad! Mumma, you are a superwoman! You did it! I know you are tired, your body aches and feels foreign, you are questioning your ability and your moods are all over the shop. And that's just you, never mind your precious bundle. I remember those early days.

That is why, I will come to you. I'm not asking you to pack up, attempt to leave the house, be presentable and smile. I want you and your family to be comfortable, with everything bub needs nearby. And don't worry about the dirty clothes in the corner or the kid's leftovers on the floor, I am living it too. I have seen it all! I will work around you and your family, allowing plenty of time for feeding, settling, changing etc. I want to capture it all for you to see, later, when you emerge from the newborn fog. I love to take relaxed, candid, life as it is, photos. Your new baby's best accessories are a simple onesie (preferably with legs exposed, to catch those chubby rolls and wrinkly toes) and your family's arms. Bub will spend most of their time, right where they should be, snuggled close to you, safe and loved. This is a chance to love on your family, relax and breathe in the family you created. I will make suggestions to capture those details, the expressions and the intimacy as it evolves. The sessions are completely baby-led, no unnatural posing or time limits. I believe you will want to remember the actual way in which your baby moves and interacts. Babies are perfect just the way they are! So let's capture this time, your story; together.

This is the blurb from my In-home Newborn Session, that briefly describes some of the many benefits of having your newborn session in your own home! Let’s have a closer look at some of the benefits.

1. You don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home!

Most of my community know my story. They know my struggles with anxiety and mental illness. I have had 4 babies and severe bouts of post-natal depression. I know that the last thing any new parent wants to do is pack up and leave the house. Probably at all! It is an effort to leave the bed, get dressed, find time to eat or shower and not to mention, mum is likely still in pain or discomfort. In your own home, you can be as comfortable as humanly possible after giving birth. You have everything you need for yourself and bub at your fingertips, without having to consider the endless list of possible required items for bub. I mean, you need to cater for possible regurgitated milk, leaking from mum and bub, poo explosions and comfort items for sleep. It can be so overwhelming, especially when you are already surviving on little to no sleep. It is so important to make your session as comfortable as possible.

2. Completely tailored to your baby.

Babies are unpredictable and they are often not “perfectly” behaved. They will cry, they will have cranky periods, it is inevitable. I run my sessions based upon what your baby needs at any given time. This is also why I allow a couple of hours. If your bundle needs a feed, then we stop to feed, and I capture that moment. If they are crying and need to be settled, then I capture mum and dad doing that as well. My style is all about the connection, relationship and interaction between you and your new bub and family. Those moments when you are soothing , rocking, burping or feeding are all going to create completely natural interactions between you and bub. These make for stunningly beautiful photos.

3. Your baby is perfect as they are.

Is there anything on this earth, more beautiful than a sweet newborn baby?

Whilst posed newborn photography is a stunning artform in itself and involves much time, training, effort and talent, I believe that your baby is beautiful completely as they are. This is why I do not generally add props or have any expectations on how they need to behave to get certain poses. They do not need to have anything added to make them more beautiful. Of course, we can add any favourite outfits or any sentimental tokens that you wish, but we do not need to take away from the God given, awe-inspiring wonder that is your new bub. My style of photography will guide you and your family during the session and encourage natural emotions and moments to occur, without placing you or bub into any specific poses. You will hold your baby exactly how you feel comfortable and your photos will be tailored to what this naturally looks like for you.

4. Your photos will be authentic, real and meaningful.

Having a session in your own home means that everyone is your family is comfortable in their surroundings. Your children are not disrupted and are allowed to play, run around and “just be.” They will always be encouraged to join in, but never forced and their little personalities are always allowed to shine. In this way, all your photos will be real and raw and true to your family. Your photos will be captured in a place that holds meaning and sentimental value to your family, as such, we can create an actual snapshot of your family life exactly as it is, at this point in time. In years to come, you will be able to look back at these photos and remember how your home looked, how your children played and every emotion that you felt when you brought your baby back to his or her first home. This is priceless and completely unique to you and your family. Your home is a place where love and memories are made, so what better place to capture those lifelong, cherished moments?

Related Blog posts.

https://www.sarahjanephotography.org/blogsarahjanephotography/familyoutfitideas

https://www.sarahjanephotography.org/blogsarahjanephotography/preparingforyourfamilyphotosession

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