I’m Rebecca Danzenbaker, Northern Virginia’s only certified newborn photographer, and I’ve done both in-home and studio newborn photography sessions.
Here’s why I think studio baby and newborn photography sessions are better than doing them in your home. Okay, stick a big asterisk on that last statement. Here’s why I think my studio photography sessions are better. This comes from personal experience and preferences. Always choose the photographer who matches your own philosophy and style!
1. Less hassle
I know what you’re thinking. How is heading out with my baby less hassle than having the photo session in my home? Easy. You don’t have to clean up.
Most new parents I know have baby bottles scattered on the counter, a bunch of unwrapped gifts lying around, half-wilted flowers and mylar balloons you aren’t ready to throw out, a partially set up nursery, mountains of laundry to fold, and general unkemptness. Does that apply to everyone? Of course not. But why run around cleaning up the morning of your session when you don’t have to? Leave the tidying up to me.
2. Less heat
This only applies to posed newborn photography. For baby’s comfort while unswaddled, you would need to turn up the temperature of your home to around 80 degrees about an hour before the photographer arrives, and it would take another hour or so for your house to cool down after your newborn photographer leaves. Yuck. Who wants to sit around in a hot house?
My photo studio occupies the expansive finished basement of my home, but only the smaller newborn studio is heated. This allows you to step out of the room to cool off, get snacks, and even get some work done while I photograph your newborn.
3. Less time
I spend an hour setting up the studio for each newborn and baby photography session and another hour cleaning up at the end. When I had to pack up the lighting, props, and equipment, that would add at least another hour. Then I’d get to the client’s house and have to search around for the best place to set up, and often the house wasn’t nearly as warm as I needed it. On top of the travel time, I used to spend a full day simply shooting a 3-hour newborn photography session! Now I can upload your photos and start going through them right away, which means you get them back faster.
4. Better lighting
If I had to choose the most important of these reasons, this would be it. I had so many newborn sessions in poorly lit homes and the end-product suffers. Even if you have a ton of windows, you’re at the mercy of the forecast, and with any sort of cloud cover, the color and quality can change in mere seconds.
I use a 4′ octagonal light in my newborn studio, which provides the equivalent of soft window light, but with the consistency you only get from professional studio lighting. Trust me. If you love my photos, you’re drawn to the lighting.
5. More props
I have over 300 newborn hats and dozens of headbands, blankets, swaddles, and props. When you’re here, you can simply point to whatever you want to use, and I’ll work it in! No way would I lug all those props to someone’s home!
6. Mental health boost
This one may seem like a stretch, but I promise, getting out of your house with a newborn is a huge deal. Staying cooped up in your house, living only at the whim of your baby’s cries can sink you into the baby blues. It wasn’t until my son was five weeks old, and I finally left the house to go to a nursing mothers meetup that I finally felt like myself again. Yes, packing up bottles and diapers is a small hassle (not as much as cleaning your house), but the practice is worth it for the confidence you’ll gain. (And I have diapers and wipes on hand if you forget them.)
7. All the comforts of home
Did I mention my baby and newborn photography studio is in my home? Our finished basement has an expansive sectional couch, toys for toddlers, a full bathroom, a studio bedroom (that you’re welcome to nap in) and hospitality bar with coffee, waters, and snacks. Our cleaning service comes weekly, so it’s always clean and ready for my next clients!
Schedule your studio newborn photography session today! Or check out my studio newborn photography Pinterest boards and baby photography boards as well!
