Imagine this, you are a new mom who just had a baby. You are sore all over, you now have a small person who needs you to feed and care for them around the clock, and you aren't getting enough sleep. Now you have to pack the baby bag with baby outfits, diapers, wipes, spit up rags, an extra shirt for both you and dad, and a bunch of extra things like blankets and special things to haul everyone to a studio for your newborn session.

I'm writing this from experience, for both my kids I went to a studio for my newborn portraits. Let me tell you, I was a mess after I had my first, I had like 30 stitches, was anemic, couldn't stand for longer than a few minutes, and had to pack everyone up and travel 45 minutes to get to the studio. I didn't have the strength to carry my new baby in the baby carrier, or the pile of stuff we brought with us, and had a full flight of steps to walk up to a 2nd floor studio. (Thank goodness for my husband, and the photographer helped us carry things as well.)

With my second child I was more mobile and physically in much better shape, but still went to a 2nd floor studio with a pile of stuff for our newborn session. This time I also had a 19 month old toddler in tow, who I had to find a way to occupy while my baby was having her photos taken for two hours. (Luckily my photographer was well prepared with toys and kid shows, and my husband kept an eye on him most of that time.)

(Older siblings are more relaxed in their own homes, and can go play with their toys during the session.)

Now imagine this, you are relaxing on your couch with your newborn, everything you need for baby is right there with you, their nursery has all the special blankets and items already off to the side to grab when needed. The photographer comes to your home with everything, and all you have to worry about is feeding and changing your baby when needed, and relaxing when you aren't in the portraits. That sounds a lot more pleasant, doesn't it? That's exactly why I offer in-home sessions, because I've been there and want to make the experience as stress-free as I can. And that older sibling? They will be more relaxed in the comfort of their own home, and are welcome to go play with their toys, so no chasing a toddler around a studio or bringing a bunch of things to try to keep them busy. 

(If you are considering an album, the nursery details are great to include.)

If that isn't reason enough, how about being able to incorporate your little one's nursery into their session? I sometimes grab items from around the nursery to include in the portraits, such as baby's blankets, stuffed animals, something with their name or initials on it, etc.

It's also nice to incorporate the details of their room such as laying in their crib (above), or their wall and floor details (below), which you will look back at fondly as their room changes over the years. 

(I love including baby in their room with their name or initials.)

Window light is another beautiful inclusion to your session, I love the intimate moments of Mommy cuddling baby in front of a window backdrop. (Below) This is something we offer during in home sessions, when available. We schedule all newborn sessions around 10am, when baby is in the best mood, but this time of day also gives us beautiful morning light. 

I wrote this post because I feel the benefits of an in home session aren't as well known as they could be, so wanted to show these sessions as welcoming baby into your home, as well as your family. Feel free to contact us if you want to know more about these sessions. 

(Behind the scenes during an in home newborn session.)