Congratulations, new mama! Bringing your little one home is such a special time with lots of emotions. You’ve booked your in-home newborn session and now you need to figure out how to prepare your home. I know it can feel stressful, but I’m here to tell you its easy! I’ve put together 3 actionable steps to make sure your home is photo ready for session day.

Tip #1: Have a plan

All my Fort Worth mamas that have worked with me know one thing to be true – we go into their session with a plan! Deciding ahead of time which rooms we want to photograph in is the first step to preparing your home for your newborn session. We are looking for light! I work with my clients before their session to figure out which rooms have the best light and which rooms we’ll skip over. That way, they don’t have to stress about having the entire house spotless. Rooms with east and south facing rooms work best for my style of photography. But I also am drawn to rooms with big windows that have soft, even light. We will go room by room (using pictures, Facetime, or I can even stop by!) to make a plan.

Tip #2: The Laundry Basket trick

Now that we’ve narrowed down what rooms we’ll be photographing, now is my favorite tip to prepare for your session. The Laundry Basket trick! Take an empty laundry basket, (one with wheels makes it super easy!) and walk through the rooms we’ll be photographing in. Fill the laundry basket with clutter that you want out of sight. That way, it is all in one place for you to go through when your session is over. You can either decide to put it back in its original place or toss it! Its a “two birds with one stone” trick – get your house ready for photos and also get rid of clutter at the same time!

Tip #3: Simplify

Once you’ve cleared the clutter with the Laundry Basket trick, take a look at the room and simplify it. When you’re preparing your home for photos, look for big baby items like a jumper or swing. Consider moving those bigger items to one of the rooms we won’t be using. And while I encourage my clients to wear clothes that feel true to them, I also recommend that we work with a simplified background. I might move big colorful pillows off of a bed or couch to cut back on distractions in a picture. If you have a white duvet or sheet, I recommend that we keep it on hand to have a neutral background for individual baby shots. Less is more so the focus of your pictures can remain on your family and new baby.

Preparing your home for photos doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these practical tips, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience that captures the true essence of those precious early days with your newborn. If you’re in the Fort Worth, Dallas, or Aledo area and are expecting a baby, let’s chat! I’d love to provide an easy and seamless process for you while creating beautiful images of you and your newborn!