Family of four sits together on a grey couch in living room with a lamp visible in the background.
Newborn baby wearing navy outfit rests peacefully while being cradled on grey couch with burgundy blanket.
A tender moment between parent and sleeping newborn baby in a white button-down shirt by the window.
Intimate family moment showing parents and young sibling gently embracing their newborn baby at home.

Welcoming a new baby into your family is such a special and fleeting time… and capturing those first few days with a newborn photo session is something you’ll cherish forever! One of the most common questions I get from new parents is, “Should we do our newborn session at home or in a studio?” Many families worry that their home is too small, too cluttered, or not aesthetically pleasing enough from professional photos, especially when they’re in the whirlwind of adjusting to life with a newborn. But I’m here to tell you, in-home newborn sessions are truly magical. And you don’t need a picture perfect home to capture beautiful, heartfelt photos!

A family shares a joyful moment together while sitting on a couch in their living room.

Last fall, I photographed a newborn session for a new family of four in their Wauwatosa, WI home including mom, dad, big sister, and their sweet new addition. The entire session took place in just two areas of their house but you would never guess that from the final gallery. Even with limited space, we were able to capture a wide variety of images that told the story of their growing family beautifully.


One of the biggest perks of having your newborn session in your home is that it captures your family in your most natural, comfortable environment. These are the walls where you’ll rock your baby to sleep, where your older child will sneak in a gentle kiss on their sibling’s forehead, and where you’ll make some of your sweetest new family memories. Your home adds a personal touch to your photos that can’t be replicated in a studio.

A young child in a teal sweater tenderly holds and kisses a newborn baby on a gray couch.
Sleeping infant in dark blue outfit lies in round woven basket with white stuffed animal and cozy blankets.
A person in a burgundy sweater holds and gazes lovingly at a newborn baby while sitting on a gray couch.
A sleeping newborn baby wearing a navy blue outfit rests peacefully in cradled arms.
A loving family of four shares a tender moment together while resting on a couch.

Another huge advantage of an in-home session is the ease it provides you as new parents. You don’t have to worry about packing a diaper bag, forgetting extra outfits, or trying to keep your baby content in an unfamiliar space. Instead, you can stay cozy at home while I come to you to capture those snuggly moments right where you’re most comfortable.

If you’re worried about the state of your house after bringing home a newborn – trust me, I get it! The last thing you want to do in those sleep deprived days is a deep clean. But here’s the secret: we don’t need your whole house to be spotless. Simply tidying up one room (like your living room, bedroom, or nursery) is all it takes. Taking a lesson from my childhood self, close the door where the mess is… after all, if you can’t see the mess, is it even there? All kidding aside, we can use any nook or cranny of your home that has good natural light to create something stunning.

A peaceful newborn baby sleeps soundly on a cozy chunky knit blanket while wearing a navy blue onesie.

And that’s exactly what we did for this Wauwatosa family. We stayed in their living room and entry way the entire time and the results were beautiful. We captured mom and dad snuggling their little one by the large living room window, big sister giggling as she held her baby brother on the couch, and sweet moments of just baby in a cozy swaddle by the front door. It was simple, heartfelt, and stress-free – exactly how a newborn session should feel.


So if you’re on the fence about whether to book an in-home newborn photo session, let me reassure you… No matter the size or state, your home is the perfect place for capturing these early days! All you need is one clean space, some natural light, and a little bit of grace as you settle into your new routine. I’ll take care of the rest!

A happy family of four sits together on a gray couch in their living room, smiling warmly at the camera.

Ready to book your in-home newborn session? I’d love to chat more about how we can create timeless photos of your new little love right in the comfort of your home. Reach out today to get on my schedule – these moments are too precious to miss!

Young child in a teal sweater relaxing on a gray couch with a sleeping newborn baby.
A family relaxes together on a gray couch, with a teal dress and burgundy sweater creating a cozy scene.
Family sharing tender moment on grey couch with infant and young child hugging from behind.
Peaceful sleeping baby in navy outfit cuddling with soft white teddy bear in woven basket.