5 tips to help you stress less and soak in the magic


There’s almost nothing I love more as your Winston-Salem newborn photographer than stepping into a home that has just welcomed new life. It’s such a special, fleeting moment when the family is in awe of their newest member, and I feel deeply honored every time I get invited to capture those first days as a new family.


That said, I know the idea of having someone enter your home soon after giving birth can feel overwhelming. The bottles and burp cloths are probably scattered across the room, baby swings and loungers occupy every corner, and there may be diapers and onesies stashed in places you didn’t even know existed.


But I promise: none of that matters. What does matter is capturing this precious season so you can treasure it for years to come.


I understand you’re in survival mode. I know you might not feel like your best self right now. And I know it can feel tempting to push a newborn session aside. But as a mom myself, with two sons (ages 6 and almost 3), I can tell you: even amidst the chaos and exhaustion, these are some of the most beautiful days of your life. Below are five tips to help you prepare, so you can let go of stress and focus on the magic of your precious new addition.

Family sits in their family room as they hold their newborn during their at-home shoot.
Dad kisses baby's head as the family indulges in sweet newborn cuddles in their Winston-Salem home.

1) Choose comfortable, coordinating outfits.


Start with yourself, Mom! Pick something that makes you feel beautiful. Many moms I work with feel most comfortable in a loose, flowy dress postpartum, but a cozy sweater or a lounge set could be a great pick, too. You should wear whatever makes you feel good!


Once you’ve chosen your outfit, coordinate the family’s looks around it. Neutral tones and soft colors tend to photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your baby. For the little one, simplicity is best—a plain onesie or matching set works wonders. Keep the outfits true to your family and highlight everyone's individual personalities, too!


Need help deciding? One of my favorite parts of the Elle May Photography experience is offering wardrobe assistance to help you choose outfits you’ll love looking back on for years to come.

Mom wears a flowy dress while rocking her newborn at their Winston-Salem newborn session.
Family holds their newborn during their in-home newborn session.
Dad holds swaddled baby during their in-home newborn photos.

2) Your Home Doesn’t Need a Deep Clean


If cleaning makes you feel good, by all means, go for it! But if you’re running on empty, please don’t stress about spotless bathrooms or dust-free baseboards. I’ll move things around as needed during the session to make sure the focus stays on the love and joy in your home. Anything that feels distracting in a shot? I’ll tuck it away and put it back when we’re done.


You don’t need perfection—just a little space and a whole lot of love, and we’ll create something beautiful together.

Mom holds her newborn and settles him to sleep during their at home newborn photo shoot.
Mom and Dad hold baby during their newborn shoot at home.
Details like newborn's hair is captured during a Winston-Salem newborn session.
Proud parents smile at their newborn in their Winston-Salem newborn photos.

3) Prepare Siblings (and Pets!) with Simple Expectations


Older siblings are a big part of your family’s story, and I love including them in the session. However, adjusting to life with a new baby can feel overwhelming for them too. If you have older children, let them know in advance that we’ll be spending time together as a family and that I’ll be there to take some photos.


I follow the lead of both your baby and your older kids, allowing siblings to come in and out of the session as they feel comfortable. We’ll keep things light and playful to ensure they have fun—even a little silliness can create some of the sweetest moments!


And if you have pets, I’d love for them to be part of the session, too, if that’s something you’re comfortable with. After all, they’re part of the family!

A family with their newborn include their pet in their newborn session at home.

4) Find the Light


When I arrive, the first thing I’ll do is take a quick tour of your home to find the areas with the best natural light. Light can truly transform an image, bringing warmth and magic to even the simplest moments.


If you’ve noticed certain spots in your home that get great light, feel free to snap a few photos and send them my way ahead of time. This can also help you know which areas to tidy up a bit before the session. Mid-morning to early afternoon usually provides the most light in homes so we can create beautiful images.

Mom and dad check on baby boy in his nursery during their at-home newborn photo shoot.
Baby boy sleeps on mom's shoulder as she rocks him in the nursery during newborn photos in Winston-Salem.
Newborn sleeping during his at-home photo shoot in Winston-Salem.

5) Gather Special Items in One Place


If there are blankets, swaddles, or special heirlooms you’d like to use during the session, set them aside ahead of time so we don’t forget them. Family quilts, knitted blankets from Grandma, or sentimental outfits—whatever holds meaning to you—can be seamlessly incorporated into your photos.


It’s also helpful to have a few essentials on hand: a neutral-colored pacifier, a sound machine to help lull your baby to sleep if you want to include some photos of them asleep, and plenty of diapers and wipes. And don’t forget a backup outfit—because if there’s one thing we can count on, it’s that babies always seem to have “perfect timing” when it comes to messes!


We’ll also have plenty of time for feeding breaks. If you want to capture these tender moments of nursing or bottle-feeding, I’d be honored to include them in the session.

Newborn sleeps in his personalized swaddle at his newborn photo shoot in Winston-Salem.
Special touches in a nursery are always documented at an in-home newborn session.
Baby sleeps in a special family-made wrap at his newborn session.
Beautifully designed nursery is captured at this family's Winston-Salem home.

Let Go and Enjoy the Moment


While preparing outfits, gathering special items, and setting sibling expectations takes some effort, the beauty of an in-home newborn session is that it’s not about perfection—it’s about connection.


Your natural love and joy will shine through in every photo, creating memories you’ll cherish long after these early days are gone. The only thing you need to focus on is soaking in this precious time with your baby and embracing who you are as a family right now.


I’ll take care of the rest.

Take a look at the EMP newborn packages if you are interested in capturing multiple sessions during this new chapter!