Montreal Newborn Photography: The ultimate guide to an in-home newborn photography session
A baby is born with a need to be loved — and never outgrows it.
~Frank Clark
A new baby at home is overwhelming, to say the least! But so, so rewarding and amazing. There is a new human in the household and everyone is adjusting to a next chapter of life at home. Newborn photography is important to book because these fleeting moments are so quickly forgotten, especially when we are tired and in learning-a-newborn mode.
That’s why I make it really easy to book your Montreal newborn photos, because at this moment, I am the clear-headed one! Reach out and I will walk you through an easy process.
I feel that bringing a photographer into the house feels strange and intrusive at a time I don’t look or feel my best, trying to figure things out.
I will admit it’s not always pleasant to have strangers in your house. I went through a home main floor renovation this past year and I know this feeling well! But unlike my 5-month reno, a newborn session will be only a few hours, and unlike a worker doing construction on your house, I am a person with whom you have already had several personal and warm connection points with. We aren’t talking electrical wiring but about your sweet, darling baby. By the time I get to your house, I am not such a stranger! But in the spirit of easing your mind about the meeting and the process, I’ll give you a play-by-play of how a session usually goes. Each session has a similar structure because I have optimized my approach over the years, but because each family dynamic is different, the experience is always unique!
As a mom myself, I am attuned to you as new parents. You don’t have to worry it will be a militant or rigid experience in any way. Sessions are baby and mama/papa-led, as they should be.
photo by lucybaumphotographer.com
Arrival
When I first arrive, I meet everyone. No equipment out; it’s in my bag. No one wants a camera in their face as soon as they open the door! A household is unique and I might be meeting husbands, partners, other children, animals and even live-in parents. For example, my last session was baby number 1, but there were 2 other ladies in the house - the dogs! I was greeted by two large pups, toys at the ready being put into my hands before I could clear the entryway!
This step is important because we chat and get to know one another before any photography starts, making things more comfortable. Especially with dogs and with young children, I take the time for them to learn me as a person coming into their space and it’s a critical way of building trust. This makes for a successful photo session! And yes, we can absolutely we incorporate your pets in the photographs.
“When is Lucy coming over again?”
Home Tour
Photo by lucybaumphotographer.com
Your home is your haven. A place where a lot of time will be spent, especially in the newborn phase. It is where memories are being made 24/7 under the guise of real life, and it’s a special place. I ask for a home tour so that I may familiarize myself with the spaces that we may use for the session, and to assess light.
Don’t worry if some areas are messy or seem unusable. I have been known to clear one, tiny space for a bassinet in a storage room that had great light. You don’t have to worry one bit about the home tour; leave it to me! The nursery, living room/ den and the primary bedroom are often nice spots for photographs, but I have used kitchens, bathrooms and even entryways (see photo right) for unique and real/ unscripted moments.
For young siblings, their rooms are their castles and I’m honoured if they invite me in. I love having them show me their room and their favourite things. It’s an important piece of their story to know that toys and teddies they loved at that time - because these items signal their budding values, personalities and future selves.
Nursery Feature
photo by lucybaumphotographer.com
I usually start in the nursery because that room is the very special spot where you as expecting parents created a little nest for your new one. This is no ordinary room - it is a place where you lovingly planned every detail for comfort, serenity, calm, and loving moments at any hour of day or night. While your newborn may not yet live in this room and be in yours, it represents their eventual sanctuary. I will photograph the room and its details - honouring all of the time and effort you have invested (and maybe a few curse words while assembling the crib, like Ryan Reynolds here) to make it perfect and welcoming.
Bonding in the nursery
I photographed the nursery while mum was changing the baby into her first outfit. Once done, I had mom sit in the lounger for some photographs of the room while mom and baby were cuddling and bonding together. The empty room is a nice photo to have to remember how that room first looked when baby came home, but now we must fill it! If dad, partner, siblings or pets are around then they join in! These photos are foundational and iconic for all of my newborn sessions.
photo by lucybaumphotographer.com
photo by lucybaumphotographer.com
photo by lucybaumphotographer.com
photo by lucybaumphotographer.com
Baby is the star
This is a significant part of the session; photographing baby in the nursery. This could be on the change table, or having some alone time (or time with special teddies) in the crib. Crib sheets are always unique and fun and I love working with those to really bring out the personality of the family which shows in the decor choices! The bedding and outfit choices also tend to reflect the season - light, bright and summery, to Fall or Winter cozy and rich.
In this time, we may also get a change of scenery and bring baby to the primary, where they have room to stretch on big, comfy beds without the limitation of crib bars.
The Break
photo by lucybaumphotographer.com
Newborn photography sessions are not continuous clock time - because newborns operate on their own time! When baby started to get fussy, I give some space to soothe. While I sometimes continue to photograph as these in-between moments are the real life ones, it’s sometimes a good idea to walk away for a few minutes so as not to add to any stress levels that baby isn’t cooperating. During those times, I will go and find siblings, pets or even photograph details that hint there is a new baby in the house. Those small details help craft and support the story of the session. In this photo, dad occupies an energetic toddler and these kinds of photos show that life doesn’t stop for a new baby!
Together time
Whether it’s the family bed, the living room or kitchen, the family eventually gathers for some together photos. I always start with the nursery because new baby is the priority, but once that is done, focus shifts to the whole family. If the baby is the first, it’s a quieter household, but if there are older siblings and pets, I follow along and document life through snacks, play, giggles, tantrums, zoomie dogs, whatever! In this phase and depending on age and cooperation, it’s fluid and every family has something special that includes both portraits and candids. That substance that binds that togetherness I call “lightness” which represents a truthful and honest dynamic of the family.
photo by lucybaumphotographer.com
photo by lucybaumphotographer.com
Close Up Cuddles
After things have settled, I make sure that each family member has a chance for portraits with baby. This will be a set of combinations based on the makeup of each family and they are usually up close and personal to really showcase love and connection. For my most recent session, baby was the first of the household, so it was mum and baby, dad and baby and then mum and dad together. With older children, here is where we may try for sibling photos that we love so much! This is also a nice way to wrap up the session, like a cool down from a fitness routine! Everyone tends to relax and maybe there will be a family nap in the near future - like as soon as I’m out the door!
The best time for photos is right now.
1 week old or 10 weeks or 10 years. There is only ever the right time, never a wrong one. Reach out today; I lead and take care of you through the process!Alas, I can’t be with you 24/7. Hire me for the milestones, and here is the next best thing for in-between moments — my photographing children’s guide. 7 tips for improving your phone photography for your catalogue of memories!
