Newborn Photography for Down-to-Earth Parents.
Hey Twin Cities parents, if you’re anticipating the arrival a new baby in your family but you’re not sure how you feel about wrapping your newborn in gauze and placing them into a basket surrounded by big lights and backdrops, I have good news for you.
I do natural, at-home newborn photography in the Twin Cities, MN.
Personally, I don’t think new babies need all the extra fluff to be enchanting. They’re one-of-a-kind and new to the world. They’re full of potential and mystery.
So, for all you down-to-earth moms and dads expecting a baby, I’ve got you covered.
In this blog post I’ll show you some examples of my work, share my structure for booking and photo packages, and I’ll tell you what you can expect during a session when you hire me!
What do Natural At-Home Newborn Photos look like?
They’ve got your own unique vibe. It’s your home, your clothes, your morning light in the windows.
They feel easy and comfortable. You get to relax into your own couch cushions or lounge on your own bed.
They’re not staged on a set, they’re a glimpse into your real life.
Something I am realizing about At-Home Newborn Photography is how good it feels when you pull out an album that’s years old and you see photos of the spaces in your home and notice how they’ve changed as your kids have grown. Styles change, furniture gets replaced or rearranged, pets age…and seeing how it used to be can bring you back in time — maybe even more than just seeing photos of your faces! Your space is the structure that your memories live inside.
How Does Booking a Newborn Session Work?
We all know your due date is just a guess, but it’s a good way to get something on the calendar.
I put down your due date, but wait to hear from you that they baby has arrived. This gives me a heads up so I know to expect a call from you to schedule your session. Once you’re at home with baby and you feel settled, give me a call so we can pick a date for me to come over for your newborn session. The session can take place within the first week or two if you’re hoping to capture that sleepy newborn stage, but it doesn’t have to.
Some parents want to wait a month or two until they feel more settled in or when the baby is awake for more of the day. Sometimes you need longer to recover than expected, and that’s okay too! I am flexible and I leave it up to you when to schedule your photos. There is nothing predictable about bringing a new baby into your life, so scheduling is always tentative.
If you’re not sure, I’m happy to send you a couple of examples of families with babies at varying ages so you can get an idea of what you like.
What Photo Package options are there?
I have a Booking fee that is due at the time of booking which covers the cost of doing business, the session itself, and Stage 1 of my editing process.
After Stage 1, which is selecting Top Images and putting them through an initial color edit, I share an online Proofs Gallery with you.
Proofs are not final images. They are lightly edited so you can get an idea of what they will look like, but no blemish fixing or photoshopping has been done.
Through your online gallery you will be able to select favorites and choose images to purchase.
You get 3 options for Photo Packages; 20 images, 30 images, 40 images. Ask me if you want more, I’m happy to make adjustments.
Once you’ve seen the Proofs and chosen which Photo Package you’d like, you can select your favorites to be edited and make your final payment.
After I receive your payment and your selections I edit only the images you purchased.
Not really a fan of having to choose? No problem. You might be interested in the Minimalist Newborn Package. I choose the top 20 images and those are the only ones you see. It saves us both time and effort!
What To Expect During your Newborn Session
We plan to spend about an hour and a half together during a full newborn photography session. This might seem like a lot, but when you’re working with a sleeping newborn and trying not to do anything too loud or too fast, it ends up being just right! The pace of a newborn photo session is easy and slow. There is time for diaper changes, feedings, and soothing the baby.
When I arrive, I’ll take a look at your space and your lighting to decide which rooms we will use. I do ask to see photos of your space beforehand but I make final decisions in person. Typically I hope to be able to use the master bedroom, nursery, and/or a common living space with the best natural light. I turn off all lamps and artificial lighting because it makes skin hues look strange.
Once we pick a place to start, I will ask the whole family to be in the first photos as I like to start by capturing the “big picture” first. I’ll tell everyone to cozy up together, look at the new baby, and give each other kisses (or something like that)! If you’re afraid of looking awkward, don’t be. I know how to make you look good with your new baby and I like to give direction, so there’s no need to be nervous about not knowing how to pose. I can’t tell you how many times parents have told me they’re afraid they’ll look awkward and they always say after the session how much easier it was than they expected.
Once we get some with the whole family, I’ll let one of the parents take a break - if there’s other kids then they get to be done for a while too. I’ll photograph each person alone with the baby.
I typically use at least two rooms in the house so the photos can capture more of your home and have some visual variety.
Once we’ve done photos with each parent and any siblings, then I’ll set up a little “nest” with some blankets we can set the baby in for a few solo photos.
Newborn Photo Sessions are always a little different because your family and home is unique. Your family style and vibe should be part of your photos.
*As mentioned above, there is a Minimalist Newborn Package option which would shorten your session to 45 minutes.
Rachel Ann Photography is a St Paul, Minneapolis based family and newborn photographer serving the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Rachel uses a variety of styles including documentary style, editorial style, and lifestyle photography to create a well rounded collection of images for the families that hire her. Her style is classy, clean, and artful. If you’re a parent expecting a new baby soon, submit the form below to learn more.
