Newborn photos in the comfort of your home | Atlanta Baby Photographer

Highlights from an At Home Newborn Photography Session in Atlanta, GA

Your home is the perfect setting to take newborn photos.

Nesting, that overwhelming urge to prepare your home to welcome your new baby, is common during the last part of your pregnancy. The the nursery is decorated, the crib in place, a picture or two on the wall, a changing station in the corner. You have created a beautiful space for your newborn, so why not have photos done there?

Taking photos in the baby’s room during your in home photo session just makes sense. I want to know about and see the little details that are special and important to you. Does the artwork on the wall represent something? A stuffed animal given by a loved one? The book on the shelf one that your parents read to you? These things help tell the story of your family and be part of the memories and photos you want to look back on. The room and things in it will change over time as your child grows, so it is a good way to remember how it was when you first brought your baby home.

Being in your own home also allows you to relax and enjoy the experience. You have the diapers, wipes, bottles, swaddles, pacifiers, etc that you need to care for your new baby already right there. You don’t have to tote ALL THE THINGS to a new location and worry about being late. I come to you and make it as relaxed as possible! If you need to change a diaper, go ahead. If you need to feed your baby, please do it.

Also, being at home for your newborn photo session allows for beloved pets to join in and have pictures done with the family.

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Monica Conlin is a family and newborn lifestyle photographer that specializes in newborn photography, Fresh 48 photography, maternity photography, smash cake photography, school photography, and family photography. Monica is based in Decatur, GA and services Decatur, Atlanta, and the surrounding areas.

Including, by not limited to Atlanta neighborhood and suburbs such as: Kirkwood, East Lake, Edgewood, Lake Claire, Candler Park, Inman Park, Ormewood Park, Grant Park, Reynoldstown, East Atlanta, Cabbagetown, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia Highland, Avondale, Midtown, Downtown Atlanta, Ansley Park, Morningside-Lenox Park, Druid Hills, North Druid Hills, North Decatur, Piedmont Heights, Poncey-Highland, Brookhaven, Buckhead, Scottdale, Tucker.

Please contact Monica Conlin Photography at hello@monconpix.com if you need a Newborn Lifestyle Photographer, Newborn at home Photographer, Lifestyle Family Photographer, newborn photographer, baby photographer, or maternity photographer.

How to swaddle a newborn

Let’s chat all about swaddles: how to swaddle, when to swaddle, and what types of swaddles to get.

Do you know how to swaddle your baby using a swaddle blanket?

Maybe it is your first baby and you’ve never done any kind of swaddle before. Or maybe it’s your third baby and you have always relied on the tried and true velcro swaddles. And although I think the velcro swaddles are genius, I like a good ol’ classic blanket swaddle for taking newborn photos.

Here is a video I created to teach you to swaddle your newborn for a lifestyle newborn photos.

And you know what, BABIES LOVE TO BE SWADDLED!
It’s cozy and comforting to them.

When to swaddle your baby during a newborn photo session:

• if your baby is tired and getting fussy

• if you want to get photos of the newborn with a sibling. The swaddle makes it easier for the sibling to hold the baby in a safe position and prevents the baby from flailing their arms and hitting their older sibling.

• if you want some photos of just the baby laying on a blanket or in the crib. This helps provide comfort and a sense of security if they are not being held by a loved one.

What type of swaddle should I get?

There are so many types of swaddles and every person will have their own preferences. The main things I look in a good swaddle is:

• made from 100% cotton (Muslin is a type of fabric made from 100% cotton that is light weight and breathable and my top choice!)

• 47 in X 47 in size

• machine washable (duh!)

A local shop here in Atlanta that is great for all your baby needs is called Happy Mango located in the Kirkwood neighborhood. They have a good selection of swaddles that you can buy from them online or at their store. They carry several brands including Sugar + Maple Classic Muslin Swaddles. These come in many beautiful colors. The sky blue, blush pint, mint, balsam green, and mustard are some of my favorites!

Another brand that I also really like the Aden + Anais swaddle blankets. These are also muslin swaddles and they have many different patterns to chose from. You can purchase from their website or Amazon.

If you want to see more photos and examples from my lifestyle newborn sessions then head to my portfolio HERE.

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Monica Conlin is a natural light family and newborn lifestyle photographer that specializes in newborn photography, Fresh 48 photography, smash cake photography, school photography, maternity photography, and family photography. Monica is based in Decatur, GA and services Decatur and the Atlanta metro area.

When should I schedule an At Home Newborn Photo Shoot?

I suggest to schedule your At Home Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session when you are in your second trimester of pregnancy.

This way you can make sure and save your spot on my calendar. I book based on your due date, but then we will schedule the actual session depending on when the baby is born (because we all know babies come on their own time). So once your baby is born, we plan the shoot between 5-15 days after the baby’s birthday.

BUT—
What if I am almost due and haven’t booked yet?
What if I missed that timeframe, but I still want to get photos of my baby?
What if we are in the middle of pandemic and I want to wait a little longer?
What if for medical reasons we need to delay?

First, take a deep breath. This motherhood thing is hard and we all need to give ourselves a little more grace. Now, don’t worry! It is not too late. You didn’t miss your chance.

Because a Newborn Lifestyle Session can be done even if the baby is more than two weeks old!

I am sharing this session because it is a wonderful example where the baby girl was a couple months old when the family did their photos. And as you can see, it was a beautiful experience.

At Home Lifestyle Newborn Session in Decatur, GA

A few things that I loved about this at home lifestyle newborn session:

• The tenderness the older sisters showed toward their new baby sister

• Mom’s strong connection with each of her daughters

• The confidence the mom displayed in caring for her baby: changing the diaper, breastfeeding, comforting her when she was fussy. I could tell it was her third time around.

• The dad’s special bond with his newest daughter and how gently he held her

• That bonnet. Seriously, a baby in a bonnet is so cute!

• That the sweet baby girl feel asleep at the end of the session allowing for these precious shots of her in dreamland

So whether your baby is a couple weeks old or a couple months old, we can take family photos welcoming your sweet bundle of joy into your family!

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Monica Conlin is a natural light family and newborn lifestyle photographer that specializes in newborn photography, Fresh 48 photography, smash cake photography, school photography, maternity photography, and family photography. Monica is based in Decatur, GA and services Decatur and the Atlanta metro area.