Should I Do a Home or Studio Newborn Session?
Updated for 2026
This post has been updated to reflect how I currently photograph newborn sessions. While I previously offered posed newborn sessions in clients’ homes, in-home sessions are now lifestyle-focused, natural, and unposed.
Two Very Different Newborn Photography Experiences
When it comes to newborn photography, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. While both studio newborn sessions and in-home lifestyle newborn sessions beautifully document this fleeting time, they are very different experiences, both in how the session unfolds and in the type of images you’ll receive.
A studio newborn session focuses on carefully posed, styled portraits created in a controlled studio environment. These sessions are designed to produce classic, polished images with curated props, wraps, and backdrops.
An in-home lifestyle newborn session, on the other hand, is all about connection and authenticity. These sessions are unposed and natural (but guided 😉), capturing your baby in your arms, small everyday moments, and the story of life at home during those first days together.
Neither option is better than the other, they simply serve different styles, preferences, and stages of life. Understanding the difference between these two experiences will help you choose the session that best fits your family.
One is styled and posed. The other is natural and storytelling. Both are meaningful in their own way.
Studio newborn session
In-home lifestyle newborn session
Studio Newborn Sessions: Posed, Styled & Polished
Studio newborn sessions are designed to create carefully posed, polished portraits of your baby in a calm, controlled environment. These sessions focus on classic newborn posing, thoughtful styling, and cohesive images that feel traditional and flawless, perfect for wall art, albums, and keepsakes.
All studio newborn sessions take place in my studio, where I have full control over lighting, temperature, and setup. This allows me to safely pose your baby and create a variety of images using my extensive collection of wraps, textures, and simple props that photograph beautifully.
Parents often choose a studio session when they are drawn to:
Adorably posed newborn portraits
A clean, cohesive gallery with a polished finish
A hands-off experience where everything is prepared for you
Classic family portraits where everyone is lookin at the camera.
Studio newborn sessions are unhurried and baby-led. Time is built in for feeding, soothing, and breaks as needed, and your baby’s comfort and safety always come first. Each setup is adjusted based on your baby’s cues, allowing for a relaxed experience while still creating beautifully posed images.
In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Sessions: Natural, Unposed, & Personal
Lifestyle sessions are baby-led and flexible. There is no posing or prop setup, and no expectation for anyone to look at the camera. I gently guide you into flattering light and natural interactions, allowing moments to unfold organically while keeping the experience calm and comfortable. Rather than placing your baby into posed setups, lifestyle sessions center on your family’s natural rhythms. Parents and siblings are typically interacting with, holding, or looking at baby, creating images that feel genuine and full of meaning. The result is a gallery that reflects what those early days truly looked and felt like in your home.
Families often choose an in-home lifestyle session when they value:
Natural, documentary-style images
Baby being held and comforted by parents and siblings
A slower, more flexible pace
Photos that reflect their home, nursery, and everyday moments
In-home sessions are especially meaningful for families who want to remember not just how their baby looked, but how it felt to be together during those first days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get posed newborn photos during an in-home session?
In-home lifestyle newborn sessions are primarily unposed and focus on natural interaction and connection. For families who would like a small number of posed images, a limited add-on is available that includes five posed newborn portraits. These images may include simple wrapped poses and/or table poses. This add-on is $200 and is designed to complement, not replace, a full studio newborn session.
Will we still get family photos during a lifestyle session?
Yes, family images are an important part of in-home lifestyle sessions. These photos are typically interaction-based, with parents and siblings focused on baby rather than the camera. Of course, if you’d like a few images looking at the camera, that’s absolutely fine as well. That said, lifestyle sessions take place in your home using natural light, so family photos will feel relaxed and natural rather than posed in front of a backdrop with studio lighting.
Do you provide clothing for parents or siblings during a studio session?
I do not provide clothing for parents or siblings, so they should plan to arrive dressed and photo-ready. All wardrobe, wraps, and props for your newborn are fully provided as part of the studio experience, allowing you to focus on coordinating outfits for the rest of the family.
What if my home isn’t “photo ready”?
A perfectly styled home is not required for an in-home lifestyle newborn session. I look for natural light and simple spaces, and I’ll guide you if small adjustments are helpful. The focus is on connection and moments, not on having a magazine-perfect home.
What is the best time to schedule a newborn session?
Studio newborn sessions are best scheduled around 2–3 weeks old, when babies tend to sleep more deeply and allow for posing. Lifestyle newborn sessions are more flexible since they don’t require baby to sleep, but are still best photographed as early as possible to document those first newborn days.
What if I’m not sure which session to choose?
Choosing how to document your baby’s first days is a personal decision, and there’s no wrong choice, only what feels right for your family. Whether you’re drawn to polished studio portraits or the natural storytelling of an in-home lifestyle session, I’m always happy to help you decide.
If you’d like to talk through your options or are ready to book, you can reach out through my contact form below.
Have questions or ready to book?
