The first few weeks at home with a new baby are fleeting in a way that’s hard to fully appreciate until you’re on the other side of it. The morning light in your bedroom, the way your older kids peer into the bassinet, the specific exhausted-but-radiant look on a new parent’s face — those details belong to a very small window. An in-home newborn session is how you hold onto them.
I’ve been photographing in-home newborn sessions in Chicago and the suburbs for over a decade, and this is consistently the work I find most meaningful.
What an in-home newborn session actually looks like
In-home sessions are intentionally unhurried. I arrive, take a few minutes to walk through your space and find the best light sources, and then we spend the next two to three hours photographing your baby and your family in the environment where your real life is happening. There’s no getting everyone dressed up and driving somewhere. There’s no unfamiliar studio. It’s just your home, your family, and images that look like the beginning of your actual story.
The session typically includes the baby alone — in the bassinet, in a wrap, in your arms — as well as family groupings, sibling moments, and detail shots: tiny hands, newborn feet, the things you’ll want to remember that you can’t quite see yet because you’re too close to them.
The best timing for an in-home newborn session
The sweet spot is usually days 5 through 14. Babies in this window are sleepy enough to photograph naturally, and the newborn details — the curled-up posture, the scrunched faces, the impossibly small fingers — are still fully present. After about three weeks, babies become more alert and harder to settle, and those particular details start to fade.
That said, I’ve done beautiful sessions with babies up to six weeks old. If you’ve missed the ideal window, it’s worth reaching out — we can usually make something work.
How to prepare your home for a newborn session
Not much preparation is needed, and I mean that genuinely. A few things that help: identify the room in your home with the best natural light (usually a bedroom or living room with large windows), have a few swaddle blankets and extra outfit options available, and keep the house at a temperature that’s comfortable for a lightly clothed or unclothed newborn — typically a few degrees warmer than you’d normally keep it. Don’t stress about tidying up perfectly. Lived-in is fine. Some of the best detail shots come from the most ordinary corners of a home.
For broader session prep guidance, see How to Prepare Your Family for a Photo Shoot.
What to wear for an in-home newborn session
Comfortable, simple clothing in neutral or muted tones tends to photograph beautifully in the soft light of a home session. You don’t need to coordinate perfectly, but avoiding very busy prints helps. For parents who want a guide, see What to Wear for Family Photos — the same principles apply.
Studio newborn sessions: an alternative worth knowing about
If you’d prefer a more controlled environment, I also offer studio newborn sessions with a range of backdrops and setups. The look is different — cleaner, more minimalist — but the same unhurried approach applies. For families who want both options, some book an in-home session and add a studio session a few weeks later when the baby is more alert. See Chicago Newborn Photography for the full overview.
Siblings and family portraits during the newborn session
Including older siblings and the whole family is absolutely part of the session — and some of the most meaningful images come from those moments. Sibling introductions, big kids holding the baby for the first time, the pile-on family portrait where nobody is perfectly posed and everyone is laughing — these are the images that end up on the wall.
Expecting a new baby?
I’d love to document those first days at home for your family. Get in touch here — booking in advance is recommended, especially for spring and fall due dates.
FAQs about in-home newborn sessions
When should I book an in-home newborn session?
Book before your due date if possible — ideally in the second trimester. I hold a tentative date based on your due date and confirm timing once the baby arrives.
What if my baby won’t sleep during the session?
It happens, and it’s fine. An alert baby produces different images than a sleeping one, but they’re still beautiful. I work with whatever the baby gives us and don’t force anything.
How long does an in-home newborn session take?
Plan for two to three hours. Newborn sessions move slowly by design — there are feeding breaks, settling breaks, and we never rush.
Do you travel to the suburbs for in-home newborn sessions?
Yes. I photograph in-home newborn sessions throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Travel fees may apply beyond a certain radius — reach out for details.
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