In-Home Photo Sessions: A Note from Bethany
One of the things I love most about the work I do is that I get to be in your home during one of the most tender, real seasons of your life. I come in when you have a new baby, when feeding is still being figured out, when everyone is exhausted and proud and overwhelmed all at once. That is also exactly when Mackenzie Thada shows up with her camera.
Mackenzie is an Indianapolis-based photographer and certified birth doula who specializes in maternity, newborn, and family photography. She photographs families in their homes, in the middle of all the beautiful chaos, and she does it with so much warmth and intention. If you are trying to figure out how to make space for newborn photos while also navigating a breastfeeding journey, this post is for you. I could not think of a better person to explain why in-home sessions are the right call for breastfeeding mamas.
The postpartum period is such a delicate time for both moms and babies – especially when working to establish a great breastfeeding relationship! It’s also a BEAUTIFUL phase of life that deserves to be captured through photos that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Making space for both these realities means being intentional with the type of newborn photography experience you plan for.
While there is certainly nothing wrong with a posed studio session, there is just something extra special that happens when you invite your photographer into your space. I know that allowing a stranger to visit your house in those early survival-mode weeks can feel overwhelming at first, but there are plenty of reasons why in-home photo sessions are ideal for breastfeeding moms.
In-Home Photo Sessions Are Baby-Led
Just like with feeding, following baby’s cues can be one of the most important factors when it comes to a successful (and enjoyable) newborn photography session.
When photographing babies, I always respect their natural wake windows and feeding needs. There is no forcing your baby into sleep or keeping him/her awake extra long in order to promote “deeper” sleep, like we would need to do for a posed studio session. We simply follow your baby’s needs for that particular day – whether that means allowing time and space for cluster feeding, focusing more on shots of baby snuggled up on mom, or creating whatever type of environment your baby/family needs to feel most at ease.
While most sessions typically take around 2 hours, I never put newborns on a time clock for photos! If your baby needs extra time to settle or is in the midst of a growth spurt/cluster feeding phase, I always allow extra time to adapt. You’ll never feel rushed or pressured to get baby to “cooperate.” Ultimately, I just want your photo experience to feel as relaxed and customized to you and your unique baby as possible.
Save Yourself Another Trip Outside the House!
I don’t know about you, but schlepping the car seat and the diaper bag and the older siblings out to any kind of public space during those early weeks always felt like the biggest chore in the world each time I had a newborn! Especially if, like me, you’ve been blessed with a sweet baby that hates said car seat and screams the entire car ride. By the time you arrive to a photography studio (possibly a few minutes late, as babies always choose the worst times to have a diaper blowout and toddler siblings will inevitably start melting down at some point amidst the transition), you may or may not have already sweat off your makeup, forgotten some component of someone’s outfit, and found yourself feeling stressed and frazzled.
Another fun aspect of adapting to your breastfeeding rhythm in those early days–especially for first time moms–is learning how to master breastfeeding in public spaces. Everyone has different levels of comfort with this (I, personally, am team whip-the-boob-out whenever and wherever necessary) but just something to keep in mind! I vividly remember my first outing with my firstborn, struggling with a nursing cover in the summer heat while holding a hangry baby and realizing I forgot my nursing pads as I felt milk leaking through my shirt…not one of my more blissful postpartum moments, to say the least. Figuring out that juggling act is a rite of passage for all moms and a learning experience that will eventually build your breastfeeding confidence as time goes on! But maybe best to save yourself the potential hassle right before being photographed, ya know?!
Additionally, it’s always a little unnerving thinking about exposing your baby to new germs and viruses each time baby visits a new space. This will often be inevitable to some degree, of course! But it can be nice to limit unnecessary travel whenever possible during those fragile first weeks of life – for the sake of baby’s health AND your sanity.
You Get to Stay in Your Safe Space
Probably the biggest advantage to staying in your own home for newborn photos is the fact that home is almost always where you (and the rest of your family) feel the most at ease! Home is your safe space – your own nursing pillow, rocking chair, all the supplies you and baby could need are already right where you need them. Older siblings feel more relaxed, and they can join in or take breaks whenever the moment calls for it.
Not only is your home filled with the comfort/nursing items you may need, it’s also filled with so much of the actual “stuff” that tells your family’s story! An heirloom baby blanket, a handmade bassinet, the front porch of the house you brought the baby home to – these are all components that make your images meaningful and timeless.
And please know, you do NOT have to clean before I arrive! I promise you the dust and the clutter won’t make it into your actual images. 😉 I don’t think I’ve ever been in a home where a newborn lives that was perfectly neat and clean and organized in every room.
Ultimately, my goal is to document this season of your life in all its chaos and beauty and joy (and hopefully help you feel as relaxed as humanly possible while doing so)! What better environment to accomplish this than the comfort of home?!
OK, mama…if an in-home newborn session sounds like the ideal fit for your growing family, I’d love to connect!
~Mackenzie
A final note from Bethany: If feeding is still being worked out when you are planning your newborn session, you do not have to figure that out alone before Mackenzie arrives. I do in-home breastfeeding support for families in Brownsburg, Avon, Plainfield, Zionsville, Danville, and the westside of Indianapolis. And if something about feeding feels off and you are not sure where to start, Why Does Feeding Feel So Hard is a free guide that may help you find the words for what you are experiencing. Rooting for you, Bethany
About Mackenzie Thada
Mackenzie Thada is an Indianapolis-based photographer and certified birth doula specializing in maternity, newborn, and family photography. She is passionate about celebrating families of ALL kinds and documenting the beauty and chaos that is the motherhood experience.
Website: mackenziethadaphoto.com
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best age for newborn photos?
Another perk to a laidback in-home session is that baby does not have to be within those first 10-12 days of life for photos, as I do only natural posing. If you prefer the images of a sleeping baby, it’s probably best to schedule the session for the first 2-3 weeks when babies are extra sleepy. But if you find yourself not quite feeling up to it at that point, we can capture beautiful images at literally any age! I personally love some alert, bright-eyed baby shots!
Can we include our pets?
Absolutely! I am comfortable around all animals, large and small. As long as we can include them safely, we most definitely will.
Can I bundle maternity/newborn/milestone sessions?
While I book each session separately, all newborn clients receive a discount on both maternity and milestone sessions. The exact discount varies depending on number of sessions and session location.
