TIPS FOR AN ENJOYABLE IN-HOME NEWBORN SESSION - KNOXVILLE, TN

Being welcomed into someone’s home is always an honor for me — but especially when they’ve just welcomed a new baby into theirs.

As a mom four times over, I know what those first days at home with a newborn feel like. They are tender and exhausting and beautiful all at once. The emotions are big. The days feel long. Everything feels new.

And I’m here to tell you — those feelings and days? Those are the ones you will want to remember.

A year from now. Five years from now. Even more as your children grow.

In-home newborn sessions can feel a little intimidating, though. Inviting someone into your space when life feels raw and unfiltered is vulnerable. But I promise, it doesn’t have to be stressful.

Here are a few simple things you can do to prepare for your session so it feels relaxed, natural, and enjoyable for everyone.

Please don’t worry if the house isn’t perfect.

You just had a baby. Perfection is not the goal. We only need a few pockets of good light and a little space to move. I promise I’m not looking at your baseboards — I’m looking at your connection.

Let the kids just be kids.

They don’t have to perform. They don’t have to sit perfectly still or smile on command. I care far more about connection than perfect behavior. The magic is usually found in the in-between moments anyway — the way they lean into you, the way they reach for the baby, the way they whisper something only you can understand.

Include the heirlooms.

Grandma’s quilt. The rocking chair passed down through generations. The tiny outfit you saved. These pieces hold history, and weaving them into your session adds so much depth and meaning.

Dress in clothes you can breathe in.

Soft, comfortable pieces always photograph beautifully because you feel like yourself in them. If you’re tugging, adjusting, or worrying about an outfit, it shows. Choose something that feels like you — just slightly elevated. Remember textures are awesome. Don't forget to keep the baby is something as simple as a solid onesie. You want that baby and all the perfect newbornness to shine and not be taken over by a fancy overwhelming outfit.

Let them show me their world.

If they want to pull out their favorite toys or proudly show me their room, that’s a gift. Those little details matter. That stuffed animal on the bed? The well-loved trucks on the floor? Those are part of this season of your story.

Take snack breaks.

This goes for the newborns, the toddlers and parents. A hungry family doesn’t make for peaceful moments. Quick breaks are welcome and normal. This session is meant to feel like real life — not a race against the clock.

Do what you normally do.

Snuggle on the couch. Rock in the nursery. Peek out the windows. Read a book. Dance in the kitchen. The most beautiful images often come from the simplest, most ordinary rhythms of your day. This is not about performing, it's about being in the moment with those you love the most.

If you’re expecting and looking for a relaxed, meaningful in-home newborn photography session in East Tennessee, I would love to serve your family. I photograph newborn and family sessions throughout Greeneville, Johnson City, Kingsport, Knoxville and the surrounding East Tennessee areas, creating natural, connection-focused images that honor this beautiful, fleeting season.

Your home, your people, your real life — exactly as it is — is more than enough.