Newborn Photography: Studio vs. At-Home Sessions

Newborn photography is a beautiful way to capture the earliest days of your baby’s life, preserving memories of tiny toes, sleepy smiles, and those oh-so-delicate features. When deciding to book a newborn session, one major choice you’ll need to make is whether to have the photos taken in a professional studio or in the comfort of your home. Both options offer unique advantages and create different types of images. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each to help you decide what’s best for your family.

Studio Newborn Photography

A studio session will take place at my studio in El Dorado Hills, CA. where the environment will be tailored that day specifically for newborn photography.   The studio will be divided into little areas: an area for your family to sit and hang out between pictures, an area that will be set up to look like a bed, an area to take individual pictures of the baby and siblings and an area to take pictures on a couch.  While the studio is not your home, some of the areas have “home” features, like the couch to give the studio session a lifestyle feel.

Pros:

1. Controlled Environment: Studios are equipped with proper lighting and backgrounds to create a clean and timeless look. Photographers can control every element, such as room temperature to lighting to ensure your experience is great for you and the baby!
2. Wide Variety of Tools: My studio has a collection of neutral-colored blankets (white, cream, grays, heathered blues and dusty mauves) and simple headbands.
3. Focus on the Baby: The studio setting removes distractions and focuses solely on the newborn and your family, allowing the images to capture timeless images where the baby becomes the art.
4. Garden Courtyard: My studio has a lovely garden courtyard which can be great for also taking pictures outside if the weather allows it.

Cons:

1. Travel and Time: Packing up a newborn and traveling to the studio can be challenging, especially if your baby is still adjusting to feeding and sleeping schedules or the mama is still unable to move easily.
2. Less Personal: While studio settings are beautiful, they may lack the personal touch that comes with photos taken in your own home.
3. Limited Flexibility: Studio sessions often follow a specific style or setup, which may not reflect your unique home lifestyle.

At-Home Newborn Photography

For an at-home session, I will come to your space, offering you more relaxed and personal experience. These sessions focus on lifestyle photography, capturing natural interactions between you and your baby.

Pros:

1. Comfort and Convenience: Staying at home eliminates the stress of traveling with a newborn. You can take breaks for feeding or diaper changes in a familiar setting.
2. Personalized Touch: Your home serves as the backdrop, making the photos unique to your family. Details like your nursery, favorite blanket, or family pets can add a special layer of authenticity.
3. Natural Poses: At-home sessions often focus on candid moments, such as cuddles on the couch or nursing by a sunny window, resulting in unique and  intimate images.
4. Flexibility: There’s room for spontaneity, allowing the photographer to adapt to your baby’s mood and your family’s dynamics.

Cons:

1. Less Controlled Environment: Lighting and space constraints in your home may limit my ability to achieve the  look of a studio session.
2. Prep Work: You may need to tidy up certain areas of your home to prepare for the shoot, which can feel like an added task during an already busy time.

 

Which Option is Right for You?

Choosing between studio and at-home newborn photography depends on your priorities and personal style. If you value a modern- less is more artistic photos, a studio session might be the perfect choice.

On the other hand if you love your decor and  if you prefer relaxed, lifestyle-focused images an at-home session could be ideal.

Regardless of the setting, my goal is to capture your family in a fun and relaxed way so your personality shine!

The most important thing is capturing this fleeting moment in your baby’s life in a way that is enjoyable and not stressful.  Both studio and at-home photography offer beautiful ways to preserve these memories—and you can’t go wrong with either choice!  And I am more than happy to help you decide which might be best if you are not sure!

 

Examples of images taken at my studio in El Dorado Hills:

Yes- you can bring your pets for the photoshoot in the studio!

 

 

Examples of images taken at a clients home during a newborn photoshoot:

 

Final Thoughts

Newborn Photography: Studio vs. At-Home Sessions there’s really no bad option! Whether  you’re drawn to the artistic precision of a studio session or the intimate warmth of an at-home shoot, newborn photography is an investment in memories that will last a lifetime. Consider your family’s needs,  personalities, and the style of photos you want to treasure forever. No matter where the session takes place, the resulting images will hold a special place in your heart for years to come.

My name is Susannah Gill and I look forward to capturing memories for you and your family! I have been a photographer for over 15 years and I was also a special education teacher for 10. I am passionate about inclusion for all. Race, gender, ability, choice of love-Im here to document your stories filled with love and fun!

I work on location in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Tahoe, Sacramento and surrounding areas.

I also have a photo studio in the El Dorado Hills business park where I photograph families, newborn babies, headshots and branding images.

I can be reached at 1-916-936-7363 by phone or text and my email is: susannah@susannahgill.com

I’d love to help you create the perfect photoshoot experience!