This week a client emailed me asking if they could book a session even if their home wasn’t magazine worthy. It made me a bit sad. I photograph is some lovely homes and honored to do so, but please don’t look that others home and think yours isn’t worthy. Your home is where your babies grow, where laughter is heard and your family feels safe. THAT is worth a thousand photos.

In-home sessions are wonderful because they showcase your family like no other space can.

Here are a few easy tips for prepping your home for a newborn session:

1. Choose the best room for the session. Pay attention to the light in your home. Which rooms get the most light and at what time of day? Sometimes you are surprised at which room works the best for photos. Typically I use the second floor bedroom because it gets the most sunshine but that changes due to the specific home I am in.  
2. Choose a simple duvet for your bed. A white cover without any prints is the best option. This brightens your photos and doesn’t cause any distractions from the baby. 
3. Be willing to move furniture if the room with the best light is too small. A simple rearranging of the furniture and you can have enough space to take gorgeous photographs.
4. Clear off any bedside stands or window sills. This allows your images to look clean and saves time on editing after if you forget something that needs removed. A clutter-free space allows you to keep the focus where you most want it: the baby.
5. Every home has a spot that can work for photos but if you don’t feel like your home gets ample light, you can always choose outdoors. There are so many lovely parks and gardens in DC I enjoy taking families to for photos. A few of my favorites are the Botanic Gardens, Bishop Garden by the Cathedral and the Constitution Gardens near the Washington Monument.