In-Home Newborn Session | Roscoe Village Chicago

Some stories are extra special to document, and this one will forever hold a warm spot in my heart. Baby Garrett’s in-home newborn session in Roscoe Village was more than just another photoshoot—this was a full-circle moment for me.

Let me take you back for a second. Emily is my best friend’s little sister, and I had the honor of capturing her and Steve’s vibrant, love-filled wedding at Parson’s Chicken in 2023. (Yes, it was every bit as unique and delicious as it sounds!) Fast forward to 2024, and here we are, celebrating another monumental life chapter: the arrival of their first baby, Garrett. Not only that, Garrett was born just days after Emily’s big sister welcomed their first son! Two cousins stepping into the world side by side? It doesn’t get much sweeter than that (except for maybe the sisterly bond that ties it all together).

Baby Garrett’s Big Debut

For his very first photoshoot, baby Garrett was a total natural. He absolutely crushed every pose I placed him in. And those beautiful blue eyes? They’re the kind of eyes that make you pause and appreciate the simple magic of capturing life’s first moments. The world is already a brighter place with him in it!

Of course, no family session would be complete without including the furriest family member. Enter Avery, the big fur-sis who hasn’t quite figured out why all the attention is suddenly on this tiny human. Let’s just say she made sure to jump (literally) into a few photos, but I think we all know these two are destined to become the best of buds in no time.

The Magic of a Lifestyle In-Home Newborn Session

What I truly loved about this session was its simplicity. We took a minimalist, people-first approach, focusing entirely on the connection between this sweet new family of three (well, four, counting Avery 🐾). No elaborate themes, no over-the-top props—just real moments and natural beauty. (We even got a few sister and cousin shots in there, too!)

But don’t let “minimalist” fool you into thinking the session lacked personality. Emily did such an amazing job curating their home with subtle pops of color and texture that made the photos feel warm, cozy, and completely them.

When I arrived, I immediately noticed how thoughtful her choices were. Garrett’s crib had a muted green sheet, which added a soft pastel color to the nursery shots. For their bedroom, Emily layered a vibrant mustard-yellow quilt atop dark green sheets. This combo not only popped in the photos but also beautifully complemented her and baby Garrett’s blue eyes. Isn’t it amazing how small details like fabrics and colors can bring a whole photo to life?

Creating Depth and Dimension in Lifestyle Photography

If you’re planning a lifestyle session and want to keep things simple (but still visually interesting), here are a few takeaways from Emily’s approach that you can use as inspiration:

Play with Color: Neutral palettes are timeless, but don’t be afraid to incorporate earthy or muted tones, like greens, maroon, mustards, or shades of blue. Pastels also work great! These colors create dimension without overwhelming the photo. When adding color, consider your skin tones, outfits, eye colors, and home aesthetics. Avoid anything bright, busy, or overly reflective (such as bright red)
Add Texture: Knitted blankets, cozy quilts, or textured throws can subtly elevate your photos while keeping the focus on your family. I love the cream-color knit blanket we used at the end of this session.
Declutter with Intention: Emily’s home wasn’t overly styled for the photoshoot—just thoughtful. Instead of filling the space with decor, she embraced clean surfaces with standout pieces, like a textured blanket here or a bold quilt there. It kept the environment cozy yet uncluttered.
Focus on Connection: At the end of the day, it’s not the props or decor that make the photos—it’s the people. Whether it’s a quiet moment between mom and baby or a playful one with dad and pup, those are the memories you’ll cherish forever.

Why Lifestyle Sessions Are Worth It

There’s something so special about being invited into someone’s home to document those raw, everyday moments that don’t feel overly posed or planned. It’s in the way a mom cradles her newborn in her favorite sunlit corner of the nursery or how a dad sneaks a quiet grin while watching his wife and baby together. That’s the beauty of a lifestyle session—you’re not just capturing how it all looked, but how it all felt.

And with Garrett’s in-home newborn session, that feeling was pure joy. From Emily and Steve’s adoring smiles to Avery’s hilarious attempts to steal back the spotlight, every piece of the puzzle came together perfectly.

Forts and Bears and Blocks, Oh My!

Emily and Steve, thank you for trusting me (again!) to document such a special moment in your lives. Watching you grow from newlyweds to parents has been such a joy, and baby Garrett is so very precious. I can’t wait to see what shenanigans the cousins get into over the years. A life filled with forts, teddy bears, and building blocks is the very best!