There is something so perfect about a Sunday morning in Nashville....
The house is quiet, the streets are traffic free, no bachelorette parties screaming down Broadway. The light is soft and buttery. The city isn't awake just yet.
This dreamy Nashville newborn sessions felt exactly like that. Slow, meaningful and wrapped in the kind of love you can't stage.
We met at Grandma's house. A genius move by the parents. Instead of hosting the in home newborn session at their home, they moved it over to Grandma's house leaving all the toddler toys and chaos behind. They chose a familiar, calm environment. And as an extra special treat, it was held in moms childhood bedroom, now free from all the posters and colorful pictures on the walls. The room she once spent days dreaming of her own family, now she was taking photos of them in.
For any parents planning a Nashville newborn session of their own, here is your first tip: Choose a location that feels easiest, calmest, and most comfortable. Not just for you, but your family as well. Whether that is your home, or the home you grew up in, location matters.
Grandparents' homes are long since free of the clutter, and chaos that accompanies parenting toddlers. The extra hands also never let us down, which makes a world of difference when navigating life with a newborn and two siblings.
Big Brother Energy and Little Sister Negotiations
This family has 3 little hearts adjusting to their newest member.
The oldest brother, calm, ready-to-go, protective, and already stepping up as the head of the kiddos. He leaned in gently, kissed his new besties forehead, and held him so still, like he knew this moment mattered.
And then there is our resident three-nager. 3 going on 13 if you will.
Bribes come with the territory of convincing tiny people to cooperate. Whether its candy, a new toy, or another special treat.
We negotiated.
We admired her cool toys.
We promised treats.
We even let her take some pictures of everyone else.
Sometimes, patience is all we really need. We pivot and do other photos, and we make our way back around to see if she is ready. And oh was she. We got the best shots of the day after a little time.
Some real-life tips for photographing toddlers:
-Plan your brides ahead of time.
-Give them a job, make them feel included in the process
-Keep it quick and easy, if they insist on cuddling mom, we will have daddy hold the baby and make it work out beautifully.
And if all else fails, just give them some time.
A personal touch...
Baby boy wore the most precious personalized onesie, and hand stitched sweater for his solo shots. Timeless. Heirloom-worthy.
Personalized details like that elevate an editorial, lifestyle newborn session in Nashville, without feeling over styled. A soft, neutral onesie. A sentimental blanket. A sweater passed down.
You don't need a trunk full of props. You need pieces that mean something and matter to your family.
Why In-Home Newborn Photography is so special.
Studio sessions are beautiful. Don't get me wrong. I understand in-home sessions may not always be available. Grandma's house may not be available. But there is something so unique and special about documenting your baby where your real life happens.
In-Home newborn photography allows:
-Natural and real story telling
-Sibling interaction in their comfort zone.
-Meaningful spaces (Nursery, master bedroom, living room couch, your childhood bedroom).
-A slower, simple, lifestyle approach instead of rigid, forced posing.
Especially in areas of Middle Tennessee where the homes often provide beautiful natural window lighting that makes for effortless, genuine newborn portraits.
