You might have been wondering if there is life beyond studio photography, or maybe you have thought to yourself how you would love if someone could just capture you and your baby just the way you are? Lifestyle sessions are the answer.

Lifestyle photography is a relatively new genre in photography that is half way between posed studio photography and documentary photography. It uses some guiding and posing, but it is not stiff.

There is a lot of room for movement, environmental and emotional storytelling,

such as toddlers jumping on beds and parents snuggling babies on the couch, breastfeeding images, adorable toddler loving on their new baby sibling. 

Newborn lifestyle photography shifts the focus from only baby, to the family unit welcoming the newborn into their life and home. It is a tender time in every family’s life, regardless of whether you are welcoming your first, or your seventh baby. Lifestyle captures the essence of your family welcoming the new member, with authentic interactions and lots of personality.

The focus is on the family unit welcoming your new baby.

But the question is, is it for you?

These are some simple facts to know about in-home lifestyle newborn photography: 

1.)  Having your portraits taken in your home yields more natural, more authentic photos due to you being much more comfortable in your own environment. These images tend to be very emotional, and the sessions are fun for everyone. This is also the second time your children meet me, so they will be comfortable around me. Most of the time we become very good friends and I either leave with lovely drawings to remind me of them.

It’s more authentic, more comfortable, more fun.

2.)  One thing I keep repeating over and over again is Do not clean or tidy up the house. We only need one good spot where we have good light. If your whole house bathes in gorgeous light, and you’d like it all captured, that is brilliant, but most of the time, families are captured in their master bedrooms or in the living room, whichever is more well lit with natural light. You’ll be informed that after my arrival I quickly scout your home for good light, then I’ll get rid of any distracting elements (if there are any) so you can focus on yourself to get ready and be relaxed.

3.)  There will be lots of snuggling, and a lot of free movement. You will be posed to some limited extent, you will be invited to stand/sit in the light, but you will be free to snuggle and love on your baby the way you want. Every family is unique and your photos will show your true unique selves. That is what we all want to look back on, isn’t it?

Your true, unique selves will shine.

4.)  The mood of your photos will be determined by three key things: the quality of light in your home, the colours in your home, and your personalities. Having small windows or darker walls may result in moodier, more intimate photos, having white walls bathing in sunlight may yield that bright and airy look. 

5.)  You are welcome to invite over grandparents, the more the merrier. After all, grandparents usually have a strong role in their grandchildren’s lives. Why not honour their efforts and capture their love as well? My kids just love the photos with grandma and grandpa, these are very special to them, these takes them back to their roots and feel connected on a deeper level.

Bring the grandparents on board!

6.)  Your baby will not be extensively posed for hours. If you request, I will capture portraits of your baby in only natural, comfortable and safe poses. However, in most cases, your newborn baby looks the most beautiful in your arms. Honestly, most of my families favour the family images over the posed newborn images. Because the family images just exude the love and their connection. That is the most special.  

No extensive posing of your newborn baby!

7.)  Images from lifestyle sessions are best presented in gorgeously thick albums, that you can flip through with your children as they grow, telling the true story of how it all began.  

“telling the true story of how it all began”

Klara Balogh-Bona is a newborn and maternity photographer serving families in Bury St Edmunds and surrounding area and Cambridge.

Feel free to contact me for what I can offer.