If you’re shopping for a newborn photographer, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. Just like many other aspects of becoming a parent, hiring a newborn photographer might seem confusing at first, but I am here to help! I’ve created this guide to help explain the difference between posed and lifestyle newborn sessions and how to know which is right for you.

Posed vs. Lifestyle

We offer two styles of newborn photography: posed sessions and lifestyle sessions. Posed sessions take place in our southern Maryland studio, when baby is 5-15 days of age. We use high-end wraps and fabrics, state-of-the-art lighting, and expert posing techniques to highlight all of baby’s tiny little features. Our posed sessions take 2-3 hours to complete, but the end result is truly a work of art fit for the wall!

Conversely, lifestyle sessions are much more relaxed. These take place in your home, generally anytime in the first six weeks. There is very little posing involved in lifestyle sessions. Instead, I take more of a fly-on-the-wall approach, documenting baby’s environment and the relationships between family members. The result is images that feel more storytelling and documentary in nature, lending themselves well to an album.

When it comes to choosing which is right for you, please know – there is no wrong answer! I offer both styles because I truly love them equally, and they’re priced the same so that you can choose based on preference alone. Of course, I may make suggestions because I always want you to have the best possible experience! Read on for some ways to know which session is best for you!

Consider a lifestyle session if:

• baby is already 2-3 weeks or more past her due date
• you want images that showcase baby’s environment and relationships
• your home has plenty of natural light and light colored, neutral walls
• a shorter session is preferred (typically 60-90 minutes)
• images that tell a story are important to you

Consider a posed session if:

• baby hasn’t been born yet (sessions must take place within 2 weeks of due date)
• you want images that showcase baby’s features
• coming to the studio for the session is preferable to you
• you want images that are styled and look like works of art

When to Book

Starting to have a good idea of which newborn session is best for you? I hope so! If not, there’s no need to worry. You don’t have to choose at the time of booking, and it’s totally okay to change your mind! We price lifestyle and posed sessions the same, so that it’s truly up to your preferences and circumstances. As a newborn photographer, my entire goal is to ensure you and your baby are served well. Sometimes complications happen, and plans have to change, and that is totally okay! No matter what, we’ll make sure your baby’s first days are captured beautifully.

No matter which session you prefer, the best time to book is at least 2-3 months before your due date! Send a note today to book your due date and begin planning your session.