If you’re thinking about booking a newborn photoshoot, one of the biggest questions is usually very simple: How doest it actually look like?
If you’re imagining stiff posing, a spotless house, or a baby who has to sleep on demand, you can take a deep breath. A newborn photoshoot in your London home with me looks very different.
A relaxed, baby-led newborn photoshoot
As a newborn photographer in London, I work in a slow, gentle, baby-led way. There is no fixed plan, shoot list and no pressure to perform, in other words – you don’t have to know how to pose. The session usually lasts around one and a half to two hours, but that time is flexible and built around your baby. There’s time for feeds, nappy changes, cuddles and a tea for you – I you need it.
We take time, sometimes you may not even notice I take photos in those real life moments, that simply documents your life as it is.
Your family is part of the story
These photos are not just about the baby, it’s a new chapter for the whole family so everybody gets in the picture. That includes mum, dad, siblings, and furry siblings too. I even once photographed a newborn baby wit an iguana, because that was her big sister 🙂
What I’m looking for are interactions between you – the quiet moments, the funny ones, smiles, cuddles. The way you look at each other during those early days.
Natural, documentary-style newborn photography
I like to call my style storytelling photography – it’s still pretty pictures, but what happens in them is real. I don’t ask you to pose in stiff or uncomfortable ways. Instead, I guide you gently and give simple prompts when needed. Most of the time, I’m just watching how you interact, we chat and I simply press the shutter at the right moment. Think of it as a mix of documentary photography and gentle direction. You don’t need to know what to do, I’ll explain every step and guide you.
Using your home and natural light
When I arrive, I’ll have a look around your home and find the best places to take photos. We usually work near windows for most of natural light and in spaces that feel calm and comfortable for you. That might be your bedroom, the living room, the nursery, or even a hallway with beautiful light. Every home is different, and that’s part of what makes your photos personal. You don’t need to deep clean before I come.
Really. If there are a few things you’d rather not have in the photos, you can move them aside, but it’s not essential. I’m very used to working in real homes, including small London flats, busy family houses with delivery boxes by the door, toddler art on the kitchen table and empty tea cups in random places. I would move things that don’t add to the scene out of the camera view and it’s no problem.
Remember, you don’t need a big Pinterest worthy house for beautiful photos, just a little bit of space and a window.
Getting to know you before the photoshoot
I encourage you to wear simple, comfortable clothes that feel like you. I do have a small client wardrobe of dresses you’re welcome to use, but there is absolutely no pressure. In fact I find those dresses work better for outdoor nature settings. In general, I recommend avoiding very bright colours and bold patterns, as they can distract from the connection in the photos. That said, if bold colour is part of who you are, we can absolutely work with that. I will never ask you to dress in a way that doesn’t feel true to you.
What if my baby cries during the photoshoot?
This is one of the biggest worries parents have, and it’s completely normal. Babies cry. I get that, I’m a mum too. We can adapt or wait for the right moment for baby to settle. In my experience it’s very rare for a baby to cry throughout an entire session, and even then, there is always something beautiful to photograph in the way you comfort your baby. I’ve had sessions where the baby
settled only in the last few minutes, and we still created a full, meaningful gallery.
Newborn photography in London that feels like you
I’m based in Coulsdon, South London, and I photograph newborn sessions across London and surrounding areas. I come to your home so you can stay where you feel most comfortable. If you’re looking for a newborn photographer in London who works in a calm, natural, and flexible way, an in-home photoshoot might be exactly what you’re looking for. If you’d like to talk about booking or ask any questions at all, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to help you decide what feels right for your family.