Did you know the time of day could make or break your newborn photo session? Let me show you why mid-morning is the magic hour! Choosing the right time of day for your lifestyle newborn session makes a huge difference in capturing that beautiful, natural light. Let’s dive into what I think is the best time of day for lifestyle newborn sessions!
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Why Does Timing Even Matter?
Lighting can make or break a photo. Soft, natural light enhances your baby’s delicate features and creates an inviting, airy atmosphere in your images. Photographers often refer to the “Golden Hour” for outdoor sessions, but for newborn photography, especially indoors, consistent and even light is key.
Proper timing avoids harsh shadows and helps capture the warm, authentic moments we love. I find even if a nursery faces East and gets tons of morning light by the time we are starting that session around 10am the sun is usually up high enough in the sky that the bright rays are only on the floor and not streaming across anyone’s face.
The Perfect Time for Your Lifestyle Newborn Session
For newborn sessions, I’ve found mid-morning, around 10 a.m., to be the sweet spot or my “Golden Hour”. At this time, the lighting is the brightest and most even, avoiding the harsh contrasts that afternoon light can create.
Even if your nursery or other areas of your home that we want to use for photos seem a little dark I can make them look a lot brighter in our photos! I have worked in so many small nurseries in the city that have tiny windows facing another building and with my knowledge of lighting I can make them appear bright and beautiful.
Not only does the light flatter your newborn, but this time is also when babies (and siblings!) tend to be in their best moods. Well-rested and fed, they’re more relaxed, which results in calm and natural photos that feel effortless. Never try to schedule a session during a toddler’s afternoon nap time lol! Plus I’ve always found that babies can be just as bad as toddlers in the afternoon and evening being cranky and hungry.
By doing a morning session we can get ahead of all of that and you don’t have to stress out all day getting ready for your session! If you do have toddler siblings be sure to read my article – 3 Ways to Get Your Toddler Excited for Photos
Adjusting for Weather or Dark Nurseries
What if the weather’s dreary, or you live in a darker space, like a basement apartment? No need to stress! I always bring off-camera flashes that replicate natural light. I have the expertise to make your lighting look bright and natural, even in tricky spaces. Whether it’s a dark room or a cloudy day, I can ensure that your photos look just as radiant as if the sun were shining brightly.
My worst nightmare came true once where I did a session in a basement apartment with those crawlspace sized windows on a very dark and stormy day. It was like bad met worse and said let’s hang out! But the images were beautiful and made me realize that while I love natural light I can still create that look with artificial light when needed. In the image below I used an off camera flash to amp up the window light since it was raining when I arrived for this session.
Preparing for Your Newborn Session Time
I love the morning timeframe also because it let’s you get the session done early. No worries about spending all day trying to look perfect. You don’t have time to try on everything in your closet. Yes it’s a busy morning but then….. WE ARE DONE!!! Then you can spend the rest of the day relaxing and maybe even go out to lunch since you are dressed up and feeling like a human again.
Mom’s I recommend putting out outfits the night before (yes even lay out the right shirt for your husband because he will definitely pick the wrong one). The next morning will be a whirlwind but I always like to give mom a few minutes to just double check everything in the mirror before we start to ensure hair is just how we want it and makeup is on point! So if I tell you to do a quick mirror check it has nothing to do with me judging something is wrong but is all about just making sure YOU are happy with everything.
Morning light also goes really well with my recommendations for What to Wear for Lifestyle Newborn Photos. By keeping the light clean and bright and your clothing color palette in the pastel and neutral range we get soft toned baby portraits you’ll treasure forever!
What’s the Best Time of Day for Your Lifestyle Newborn Session?
The right timing can truly elevate your newborn photos. Choosing a mid-morning session ensures you get the best lighting and the happiest baby, resulting in stunning images you’ll love. Ready to book your session? Let’s find the perfect time to create those picture-perfect memories!
If you liked this post then I think you’ll love:
Including Pets Into Newborn Photos At Home
5 Reasons to Book an In Home Charlottesville Lifestyle Newborn Session
5 Amazing Options for a Birth Center in Charlottesville, VA!
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.
