One of the top questions I get asked after a client books is: ‘what should we do to prepare?’ Some common suggestions for preparing for an in-home session involve neatening key spaces and outfit selections. I am here to tell you that the best thing you can do to prepare for Boston newborn photos has nothing to do with your actual home or what you wear. The best thing you can do is prepare your partner!

So how do you prepare your partner anyways?

How to Prepare Your Partner for Newborn Photos

Chances are, booking me for your in-home Boston newborn photos was not a group activity. Most of the time, one family member does the research, the correspondence, and the booking of the newborn photographer. If your partner is anything like my husband, he’s usually never seen the work of the person I hire for our personal photos. Luckily for him, his wife is a professional photographer so he knows the drill. For most partners though, this isn’t the case. For first-time-parents, this is the first professional family photography experience they’ve had!

Before your session, show them my work!

A lot of people who have not had a lifestyle family session assume they’re going to smile and look at the camera the entire time. They assume they need to be formally dressed and tell their kids to look at the camera and say cheese.

The week of, or the night before our session, pull up my blog or my instagram! Show them how often families are looking at the camera (hardly ever!). Point out the movement, the laughter, and the connection. For newborn sessions, check out what everyone’s wearing. T-shirts! Barefeet! No need to be stuffy OR formal if that’s not who you are.

Reassure them that they don’t need to worry about their toddler!

During sessions, the behavior of a toddler can really stress some parents out! 9 times out of 10, it’s the parent whom I haven’t been in contact with who gets stressed. It might be because they don’t follow me on social media and maybe aren’t on my mailing list. The one who knows my style well knows that I welcome bouncy, bubbly kid energy. I am not expecting them to stay still and smile at the camera. Make sure your partner knows this! Let them know that they are coming to a session to be playful, laugh, move around, and snuggle their family.

When everyone is on the same page, newborn photos go more smoothly.

Can’t wait to meet you and your family this year!

XOXO – Lyndsay