Your Home as a Photo Shoot Location: Which room works best, how much natural light you need, and which photos can only be taken at your home. And I’ll explain whether a studio might be a better option
A newborn photoshoot at home—also known as a “homestory”—takes place in the young family’s home. I’ll come to you with my camera, blankets, and props, and you won’t have to go anywhere with your baby, who’s only a few days old. You don’t need a large apartment for this. A window with natural light and a warm, heated room are all you need.
The most common concern I hear beforehand isn’t about the baby, but about the apartment. Too small, too dark, too messy. In this post, I’ll show you why this concern is unfounded in the vast majority of cases.
Here you will find a brief summary of the main content of the article:
- A newborn photoshoot at your home—also known as a “homestory” —takes place in the young family’s home. I’ll bring my camera, blankets, wraps, and accessories. For a “homestory,” all you need is an open space of about 1.5 by 1.5 meters near a window, plus a bed or a sofa.
- The brightest room in the apartment is usually the best choice, not the prettiest one. I most often take photos in the living room or bedroom. There’s no need to tidy up. You just need to clear the area where we’ll be taking the photos.
- We primarily take photos using natural light and without a flash. The flash might startle your baby. We’ll use the lighting in your home as a supplement, provided it doesn’t interfere with the lighting atmosphere.
- The room should be heated really well a few hours beforehand, because newborns get cold quickly.
- A home photo shoot is possible in almost any home. The photo studio is an alternative for families who would prefer to have their photos taken in a studio.
- In a nutshell: The "Home Story" at your house
- What is a "home story" in a newborn photo shoot?
- Home Story or Studio Photo Shoot: Which One Suits You Better?
- Which room is best suited for the home story?
- How much light do you need at home?
- What kinds of pictures do you take just at home?
- How do you get your apartment ready for the Home Story?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Homestory
- Your Newborn Photo Shoot at Home in Munich
- More Articles on Newborn Photography
A “home story” is a newborn photo shoot in your home. Instead of taking your baby—who’s only a few days old—to a photo studio, I’ll come to you.
The difference from a studio isn’t just the location. At home, your baby sets the pace. They lie in their own crib and are breastfed in your bedroom. No one is checking the clock during the shoot because the next family is already waiting in the studio. For most of the families I work with, that’s the reason they choose the home story.
For most families, the in-home photo shoot is the more relaxed option: no need to travel with a baby who’s only a few days old, and your newborn gets to stay in the familiar surroundings. That’s why I generally recommend it, regardless of how big or how bright your home is. I also offer the photo studio option if you’d prefer it.
When Your Apartment Is the Right Choice
Stay home if you want to avoid the trip during the first few days of your baby’s life. If you want to include older siblings in the photos. If you want pictures that show your home. And if, to be honest, you just don’t have the energy to go anywhere right now.
It doesn’t matter how big your apartment is. Your newborn isn’t moving around yet, so I just need a small open space near a window.
When should I take photos in the studio instead?
To be honest: I never advise against a home photo shoot. In seven years, I haven’t come across a single apartment where a newborn photoshoot wasn’t possible. Too dark, too small, too cluttered—there’s a solution for all of that, and I’ll bring it with me.
I’ll take photos in the natural-light studio if that’s what you’d like. Some families simply prefer to have their photos taken in the studio.
We’ll start by taking a look at your apartment and then decide where to take the photos. I often take photos in the living room or bedroom. We’ve also photographed the kids’ room, the hallway, and a few other rooms in the past. We usually work in two or three rooms so that the photos have a variety of looks.
Bedroom and Parents’ Bed
The parents’ bed is a space I use often. In many homes, it’s right next to the window; it’s big enough for all of you, and it’s soft. It’s on the bed that you’ll take the photos of your baby lying between you, the photos with siblings, and the peaceful shots of your sleeping newborn. Put fresh sheets on the bed—preferably in white, cream, or a light gray.
Living Room
In the living room, I work with the sofa and the floor. This is usually where the largest window area is, with enough space for the whole family. If you have older children, the living room is often the room where they relax the fastest, because that’s where they play anyway.
Children’s Room
I use the nursery to capture the little details: the crib, the first stuffed animal, the name above the bed. These photos often become cherished memories later on of how you prepared this room for your baby.
A normal, well-lit window is sufficient for a newborn photoshoot. I mainly shoot using natural light and without a flash. You don’t need floor-to-ceiling windows or a south-facing window. What I need is a window that gives me about one and a half meters of space to work with.
Which window and what time of day?
I take photos by the window and almost always start in the morning. The light stays consistent for several hours then.
Direct sunlight isn’t an advantage here—it’s a disadvantage. It casts harsh shadows on the baby’s skin. I prefer a window without direct sunlight to a sun-drenched room. If the sun does shine in, I hang a thin curtain in front of it or move to another room.
What if your apartment is dark?
I hear that a lot, and in most cases, the concern is unfounded. I’ve been photographing home stories for seven years, and so far I’ve found a solution in every home. If the natural light from the window isn’t enough, I bring a continuous light that looks like soft daylight and won’t disturb your baby.
If you’re unsure, send me a few cell phone photos of your rooms beforehand. I can tell right away where we’ll be taking the photos.
Why I Take Pictures Without a Flash
A flash can wake up or startle a baby who is just a few days old. Natural light is softer; it’s gentle on your baby’s delicate skin and lets your baby sleep peacefully. That’s how we capture authentic newborn photos during a home photo session.
At home, you’ll capture photos in which your apartment plays a part in the story. Not just as a backdrop, but because it’s yours: the armchair where you breastfeed at night, the knitted blanket from your grandmother, the changing table that’s only half-set up. No photo studio can capture moments like these.
Then there are the moments that nobody plans for. The big brother who comes running in with his toy. The dog lying down in front of the baby’s crib. You in your own kitchen, holding the baby, with the coffee maker in the background. Siblings are usually more relaxed in their familiar surroundings than in an unfamiliar room, and you can see that in the photos. You can read about how a photo shoot with older children works in the post on newborn photoshoots with siblings. And if you want to include a dog, you’ll find tips on how to prepare in the post on newborn photoshoots with dogs.
The preparations don’t take long. Preheat the room, clear the window, and don’t go overboard with tidying up. I regularly visit young families in the first few days after the birth and know how little time they have for this.
- Heating: Turn the heat up high a few hours beforehand. Newborns get cold quickly, and a baby who’s cold won’t sleep. It’s better to dress in lighter layers yourselves.
- Clear the space in front of the window: Clothes racks, plants, and moving boxes in front of the window block the light. We want to make use of this space.
- Make the bed with fresh sheets: white, cream, or light gray. Large patterns and bold colors distract from the baby.
- Pets: Please let me know in advance if a pet will be participating in the photo shoot.
- The rest can stay as is: The changing table doesn’t have to be tidied up, and the laundry that needs ironing can stay where it is. I’ll take photos around everything that shouldn’t be in the picture.
You’ll find everything not related to your home in the corresponding posts: how to prepare for your newborn photoshoot (including a checklist), the best time for a newborn photoshoot, and outfit tips for your newborn photoshoot.
