Last week I introduced you to what Lifestyle Newborn Photography is and now I’m going to talk about my Why! I remember it like it was yesterday, I was a new newborn photographer in Fredericksburg Va. I pulled up to my clients home, opened the tailgate of my SUV and it was filled to the brim. I had plastic bins filled with blankets and wraps, I had a giant posing bean bag, baskets, towels, wipes and of course all my camera gear. It took me 3 trips to bring everything inside and the Dad joked if I was moving in. That was the final straw I decided that from then on I needed to simplify!
Personal Details
I wanted to show up with just my camera and I wanted to use things around the house that meant something to my families. Things like the baby blanket made by a great-grandmother or a stuffed animal picked out especially by a new big sister. I wanted to capture the nursery they will spend hours rocking the baby to sleep in and all the details lovingly picked out for it. I wanted the backdrop to be the couch everyone will pile on Friday nights for family movie night. Mom and Dad’s bed that will be the scene for Saturday morning cartoons for years to come. The places in our home that serve as the setting for future family moments. Those are the things I wanted to capture!
Relaxed Style
Don’t get me wrong, posed newborn sessions are adorable! As a newborn photographer in Fredericksburg Va, I have many colleagues that are amazing at safely posing babies in baskets. I just decided it wasn’t the style I loved most though. I love simple and relaxed images of parents cuddling their new bundle of joy. I still love an adorable baby by themselves in a simple wrap but I want the backdrop to be their crib or mom and dad’s bed.
Here are some of my favorite lifestyle newborn photographs from past sessions!
Why Lifestyle Newborn Photography?
Paige & Matt’s beautiful home was the perfect backdrop for their session. I love that when they look back on these images later in life they will remember this was the home they brought their baby home to! See more of their session: And Then There Were Three
Baby toes and an adorable crib get me every time. I remember I used to love seeing my babies sleep in their cribs!
To me, lifestyle is about capturing what you do in everyday life with your baby. Snuggling on the couch together will never go away!
Who needs cute props when Mom has decorated an amazing nursery! That solar system mobile is awesome!
Just because it’s lifestyle doesn’t mean we can get a beautiful photo of everyone looking at the camera for Grandma! I love to give my clients a mix of modern and traditional. See more here: Logan Cole
Posed yes but I love how everyone is piled on each other in a relaxed way! See more here: Malcolm Wilder
I love using doorways to give my viewers a sense of peeking in! See more here: Breen Family
I loved it when my babies slept on my chest like this, I always told myself they are only that small for so long…..
It’s the simple things like being held in Dad’s strong hands and looking so tiny that usually get my Moms crying!
During our session, I love to take a peek in other rooms to find good light but also to find cute decorating as a backdrop for baby.
It’s all about the relationship for me. I love seeing the connection between my couples right after they have a baby!
Siblings are always hilarious to work with! Luckily the baby is usually still so new they are excited about it!
Props, schmops! Give me a crib any day!
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Melissa Arlena is an award winning lifestyle newborn photographer in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia who has earned her Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in maternity, newborn and family photography. Her natural and simple work has been featured in magazines and online blogs worldwide. She has been named Best Maternity and Newborn Photographer in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA in 2024.
