Newborn Photoshoots In Clients’ Home: Do I Offer Any?
Every once in a while I get asked if I offer Newborn sessions in the comfort of a client’s house. While I used to do in-home sessions, that is not something I offer at this stage. Unlike Lifestyle newborn sessions, posed newborn sessions similar to the ones I offer, can be challenging to do in clients’ houses. While not impossible, it certainly comes down to how detail-oriented the photographer is in achieving consistent results similar to the ones advertised on their Website or Social Media account. Every house is lit differently and every house has different colored walls and light sources. Trying to change all of these factors to somehow be similar to the lighting we have in our studio is pretty much impossible, and any professional photographer knows that Lighting is key in achieving beautiful creamy skin tones.
Again, I’m not saying it is impossible, but it is more for lifestyle family sessions rather than posed portraits.
Another thing to take into consideration is the fact that for posed newborn photoshoots, it is not technically possible to load all of the inventory we have into a car and transport them into the client’s home. The risk of damage is high when it comes to transporting your Camera, Lighting, and other gears back and forth. Not to mention, a large number of backdrops, props, accessories, and outfits we have here in our studio, readily available within arms reach during a session, makes it easier to accommodate last-minute requests or make any last-minute changes to our pre-planned workflow. For example, if a baby is not willing to cooperate into the Bucket pose, I skip than and move on to something else. Or if a baby has an accident (AKA pees) on a backdrop during the froggy pose, I change the backdrop layers into new clean ones. I can’t carry 10 sets of backdrops and go to a clients house because you really don’t know what to expect when it comes to newborns.
As a mom of two young toddlers myself, I understand that new parents are sometimes worried about taking their baby out that early, especially during times like this – flu season!
I want to assure you that I do my best to keep my studio as clean as possible and to sanitize after every client. My studio is conveniently located in my home, which most clients find very comfortable because it is a warm home environment. As a germophobic myself, I can guarantee you that I am as careful as you are, maybe even more, because I know how hard it is to deal with sickness.
Although mask mandates were lifted long ago, I still do wear my mask during all of newborn sessions. I do not require parents to wear one unless they confirm being ill or are showing visible signs of sickness. Most of my clients see me sanitizing my hands countless times during the session and even going out to wash whenever I get a break while the baby feeds.
I hope I have you a little insight on why I do not offer in-home newborn photoshoots anymore. Your baby’s safety and your comfort will always be my top priority!
love,
Seta
