In studio or at home? Which newborn session best suits your needs?

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Almost every mother who wants to capture the first days of her newborn’s life asks the same question: should I choose an in-studio newborn session or an at-home lifestyle newborn session? To help you decide, here is an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

In-studio newborn session

An in-studio newborn session takes place at my studio within the first 14 days after birth. You will need to travel to my studio for the appointment. Most of the photos will focus on the baby alone. They will be posed on a beanbag, on faux furs, in baskets or in other safe and suitable props. Your little one will also be placed in adorable and safe positions while they are sleeping. For example, they may be wrapped with their legs crossed or placed on their tummy with their hands tucked under their head. I will also dress them in knitted pants, rompers, hats and headbands made specifically for newborn sessions.

Since I take care of the baby for a large part of the session, it’s the perfect opportunity for you to relax a little! You can bring a movie, a book, magazines or even your pillow for a short nap 😉

Of course, it’s also possible to include a few photos with parents and siblings if you wish. I reserve the last 30 minutes of the session for these minimalist-inspired family portraits.

Advantages:

• Your baby will be photographed in adorable positions that are difficult to achieve on your own,
• You can take advantage of the props and setups provided,
• A well-lit studio with ideal photography conditions,
• One of your first opportunities to relax after giving birth

Disadvantages:

• Limited time window (the session must take place before your baby is 14 days old!),
• You need to travel to the studio,
• Less suitable if you want a wide variety of family photos.

 

Here are a few examples of in-studio newborn sessions:

 

In-home lifestyle newborn session

The in-home lifestyle newborn session takes place in your home within the first month after birth. I travel to your home to capture the photos. Ideally, the session happens before your baby is two weeks old to avoid more challenging phases. However, since no props are used and the baby is not posed, age is less restrictive. The session can therefore take place up to around one month old.

The photos are taken in your environment, such as the primary bedroom, nursery or living room. We focus mainly on natural interactions between family members. For example, parents cuddling their baby or siblings giving gentle kisses. You are also welcome to invite grandparents if you would like to include them in these memories. We can even include your pet in a few photos, as long as they are not agressive with strangers.

Since we will be using several rooms in your home, it is recommended to tidy up before I arrive so that clutter does not appear in the photos, which can be more challenging after welcoming a new baby.

Advantages:

• A wider time window (up to one month after birth),
• Photos that include the whole family (with the option to include grandparents and pets),
• The photographer travels to your home.

Disadvantages:

• No posed photos of the baby,
• No studio equipment used (such as beanbags, backdrops or props),
• Photos are limited to well-lit areas of your home,
• Tidying up your space beforehand is strongly recommended.

 

Here are a few examples of in-home lifestyle newborn sessions:

 

No matter which option you choose, one thing is certain: both types of newborn sessions will leave you with beautiful memories of your baby’s first days!

 

Last update: May 2026

Would you like to book a session like this? Contact me at lisamarie.savard@yahoo.ca to do so!

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