I absolutely love my studio sessions, but in-home newborn sessions have a completely different feel to them. They’re relaxed, personal, and a little more like documenting what life actually looks like during those first few weeks with your baby.

And one of the things I hear all the time is, “But my house isn’t photo-ready.”

It doesn’t need to be. I promise.

You don’t need a perfectly decorated nursery, a huge house, white walls, or rooms that look like they belong in a magazine. And there’s definitely no need to clean your entire house before I arrive (because honestly, who wants to do that with a newborn?). I’m simply looking for pretty light and little pockets of your home that photograph well. Sometimes that’s the nursery, but it might also be your bedroom, the living room, or even one little corner near a window.

It’s amazing what I can create in a very small space.

Everyone Gets to Relax a Little

One of my favorite things about an in-home newborn session is how easy it can feel for the whole family.

There’s no packing a diaper bag, loading everyone into the car, worrying about forgetting the pacifier, or trying to get out the door at a certain time. I come to you.

Older siblings can wander off and play when they need a break. Mom and Dad can sit on their own couch. If baby needs to eat, we stop. If we need a diaper change, we change a diaper. There’s really no rush.

And babies often seem to feel that difference too. They’re surrounded by familiar smells, sounds, and voices, and we can follow their lead rather than expecting them to fit into a strict schedule.

Some of my favorite photographs happen during those little breaks when nobody is trying quite so hard.

Your Home Becomes Part of Their Story

There’s another reason I love photographing newborns at home: these rooms won’t always look the way they do right now.

That nursery you spent months putting together will change. The rocking chair where you spend what feels like half your life feeding your baby won’t always be there. Your baby will eventually outgrow that tiny bassinet next to your bed.

Right now, those things can feel like ordinary parts of your day. Years from now, they may be some of the details you miss the most.

Having photographs of your baby in the place where you actually brought them home makes the images feel especially personal.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Newborn life isn’t perfect, and your house doesn’t have to be either.

There may be bottles on the counter, burp cloths everywhere,  a basket of laundry that needs to be moved out of the frame. That’s okay.

I’ve been photographing newborns and babies for many years, and part of my job is knowing what will photograph beautifully. I’ll help you figure out where we have the best light, move things around if we need to, and guide you through the entire session.

You don’t need to know where we should take the pictures before I arrive.

You just get to be with your baby.

In-Home Newborn Photography in the East Bay

I offer in-home newborn sessions for families throughout Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Oakland, Berkeley, and the surrounding East Bay.

These sessions are especially wonderful for families who love natural, connected images and want their newborn photos to feel relaxed and personal. We can include parents, siblings, pets, the nursery, and all those little everyday moments that make this particular season of your life yours.

And if you’re looking around your house right now thinking, Mine could never look like the homes I see in newborn photos — please don’t let that stop you.

You might be surprised by how little space we actually need.

Your home doesn’t have to be perfect.

It just has to be yours.

See here for more information about in-home sessions!

Those early newborn weeks are all about adjusting to life together, and HealthyChildren.org has some great resources for parents navigating the newborn stage.

There is such a fun stage between the newborn days and those first birthday celebrations. Around six to nine months, babies are full of personality, big smiles, and endless curiosity. They’re sitting up on their own, laughing easily, and starting to interact with the people they love most. It’s one of my favorite ages to photograph.

This sweet sitter session in Moraga was extra special because Mom and big brother joined in for part of the session. While it’s wonderful to capture milestone portraits of your baby, including family members helps tell a much bigger story. The way Mom makes her little one laugh, the cuddles they share, and the proud smiles from a big sibling are often the images families treasure most years later.

One of the things I love about sitter sessions is that babies are usually happy, engaged, and full of expression. Whether they’re flashing a gummy grin, reaching for Mom’s hands, or giggling with an older sibling, every moment feels genuine. There’s no pressure for them to perform—we simply follow their lead and capture their unique personality.

My studio in Moraga is designed to keep the focus on your family. With soft neutral tones, beautiful natural light, and simple styling, your baby’s expressions and the connections you share become the heart of every image. These timeless portraits look just as beautiful on your walls years from now as they do today.

I photograph families throughout Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Oakland, Berkeley, and the surrounding East Bay. Whether you’re celebrating your baby’s sitter milestone, first birthday, or welcoming a new baby, I love creating relaxed sessions that capture this season of life in an authentic way.

If your little one is sitting independently but isn’t quite crawling everywhere yet, now is the perfect time to schedule a sitter session. This milestone passes quickly, but the memories—and the photographs—will last a lifetime.

I’d love to help you document this joyful stage for your family.

Thinking about scheduling a newborn session?

Check out my pricing here!

**The sitter stage is such a short but memorable season. Around six to nine months, babies are developing new skills every day—from sitting independently to interacting more with the people they love. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ guide to developmental milestones is a wonderful resource for parents who want to learn more about what to expect during this exciting stage.

One of the greatest compliments I can receive is when a family invites me back after welcoming another baby. When I photographed their daughter three and a half years ago, I never imagined I’d be back in the same home documenting her as a proud big sister!

It feels like just yesterday she was a tiny baby curled up in her parents’ arms. This time, I had the honor of returning to their home to meet their newest little one and capture this exciting new chapter.

One of the things I love most about in-home newborn photography is how relaxed and meaningful it feels. Everything takes place in the comfort of your own home, where your family can settle in naturally without the stress of packing up and leaving with a brand-new baby. The nursery, favorite chair for cuddles, and all of the little details you’ve carefully prepared become part of your family’s story.

For growing families, an in-home session is also perfect for toddlers. Big sisters and brothers can take breaks, play with their own toys, and come back whenever they’re ready for more photos. It creates a calm environment where genuine smiles and sweet sibling moments happen naturally.

I photograph families throughout Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Oakland, Berkeley, and the surrounding East Bay communities, so every session feels a little different. Whether we’re documenting a newborn in a cozy nursery or cuddling together in the living room, I love using the beautiful natural light in each home to create timeless images that reflect your family’s unique story.

One of my favorite moments from this session was watching their daughter proudly love on her new baby brother. Seeing families grow from three to four is always incredibly rewarding, especially when I’ve had the privilege of documenting both babies’ first days.

At the bottom of this post, I’ve included a few favorite images from their first newborn session with their daughter three and a half years ago. Looking back at those photographs alongside today’s images is such a beautiful reminder of how quickly these years pass. Babies become toddlers, toddlers become proud big siblings, and before you know it, another tiny newborn has joined the family. Being trusted to preserve these milestones is truly one of the greatest joys of my job.

If you’re expecting a baby and are looking for a newborn photographer in Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek, or elsewhere in the East Bay, I’d love to help you preserve these first days in a relaxed, natural way. Whether you choose an in-home lifestyle session or a posed studio newborn session, my goal is to create timeless images that you’ll treasure for years to come.

Thinking about scheduling a newborn session?

Check out my pricing here!

If you’re preparing to welcome a baby, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ newborn resources are a great place to learn what to expect during those first few weeks at home.

Returning to Asheville to Photograph a Family I’ve Loved Watching Grow

One of the greatest gifts of being a newborn photographer is watching families grow over the years.

This summer, I’ll be returning to Asheville to visit friends and family. While I’m there, I have the honor of photographing a brand-new baby boy for a family I first met when his big sister was a newborn.

It’s hard to believe that little girl is now three and a half years old because it feels like just yesterday that I was photographing her tiny fingers, sleepy smiles, and the beginning of her family’s journey.

Now they are welcoming a baby brother, and I get to document this exciting new chapter.

The Greatest Compliment

There is no greater compliment than being invited back to photograph a family’s newest baby.

Parents trust me with some of their most treasured memories. When they ask me to return, I know those images have become part of their family story.

Therefore I never take that trust for granted.

Photographing a newborn is special but photographing a second baby for the same family is even more meaningful.

Watching a Big Sister Grow

One of the things I’m most excited about is seeing how much their daughter has grown.

She was once the tiny newborn in front of my camera. Now she is becoming a big sister.

I can’t wait to capture those first sibling moments. The gentle hugs, curiosity, and tiny hands reaching for a new baby brother often become some of a family’s favorite photographs. In fact, sibling photos are some of my favorites to capture!

Looking Forward to Seeing Them Again

Although I now live in California, Asheville will always be my home.

Returning to the area and reconnecting with families I’ve photographed over the years is one of my favorite parts of visiting. Seeing familiar faces and meeting new family members is always a joy.

I am counting down the days until I meet this sweet baby boy, see his family again, and create another collection of memories for them to treasure.

To this wonderful family: thank you for inviting me back. It is truly an honor to be part of your story once again.

Thinking about scheduling a newborn session?

Check out my pricing here!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends helping older children feel included during a new baby’s arrival.  See here for tips on how to prepare you older child/children !