When it comes to capturing the precious moments of your newborn's early days, there's no denying the magic that lifestyle newborn photography holds. While the nursery is often the go-to setting for these sessions, there are numerous unique locations that can add a touch of creativity and personality to your photographs. In this blog post, we'll venture beyond the nursery and explore a range of distinctive locations that provide the perfect backdrop for your lifestyle newborn session, allowing you to share authentic memories that go beyond the ordinary for years to come.


While I recommend most newborn lifestyle shoots be booked within the first three weeks of baby's life, some of these recommendations shouldn't be booked until mom is at least two weeks post-partum. All of these options are also great ideas for maternity, and family photos as well.

Your Home's Cozy Spaces:

This is the holy grail of options. Your home is a treasure trove of personal touches and familiar surroundings, making it an ideal location for intimate and meaningful newborn photographs. You may not always live in this same home, or if you do, it won't always look like this: bottles on the counter, baby blankets strewn about, your pets curiously sniffing this new creature that's suddenly appeared. When I come to your home to shoot your session, I will try to capture your true-to-life moments.Not just the nursery, but the master bedroom, the bath tub or shower, and the livingroom surrounded by the warmth and familiarity of your own space. These images will not only showcase your little one's early days but also reflect the love and connection within your family. Also you don't need to worry about it being disorganized! I can work around that, ensuring that you get images that showcase your family's story.

Natural Beauty of a Local Park:

Embrace the beauty of the outdoors by opting for a lifestyle newborn photoshoot in a local park such as New Orlean's City Park or Audubon Park in uptown. While not everyone will want to take their newborn child out into the world right away, for those that do it can provide a nice breath of fresh air (mind you, as long as it's not during the heat of the summer...because oh my goodness this past July has just been miserable!). We can choose a peaceful spot with beautiful greenery, blooming flowers, or a serene lake. Have dad pack up a picnic and enjoy the afternoon. Can you just picture the adorable picnic basket/bassinet photos? However I recommend waiting until mom is at least two weeks post-partum before venturing out as she needs all the rest to heal!


Side note: this is also a lovely idea for family portraits at any stage!

Quaint Coffee Shops or Cafés:

For a cozy and intimate atmosphere, consider capturing precious moments with your newborn in a quaint coffee shop or café such as the infamous Cafe Du Monde. These charming spaces offer unique aesthetics, soft lighting, and a comfortable ambiance, making them an ideal backdrop for lifestyle newborn photography. Sip on your favorite beverage while cuddling your little one, creating images that reflect the joy of parenthood in a warm and inviting setting while also allowing you to get that caffeine fix because boy do I know how tiring those first few weeks are!

Historic Landmarks or Museums:

The Tree of life in uptown next to the Audubon zoo? Or perhaps the New Orleans Botanical Gardens (an absolute favorite spot of mine)? There's also the Longvue Gardens in Old Metarie with serene outdoor space (again, awesome picnic spot!) and they do tea parties!

Your Favorite Family Hangout Spots:

Consider including your favorite family hangout spots in your lifestyle newborn session. Whether it's a local ice cream parlor, a bookstore, a garden, or a family-owned restaurant, these places hold sentimental value and add a personal touch to your photographs. By incorporating these meaningful locations, you create images that reflect the essence of your family's unique story and the joy of introducing your newborn to your cherished traditions. Imagine bringing your little one back to that space years later and comparing the growth that has taken place since your portrait session.

In the end, when it comes to lifestyle newborn photography, the options for unique locations are endless. By venturing beyond the nursery, you open up a world of creative possibilities that allow you to capture the beauty, love, and joy of your newborn's early days in settings that hold personal significance or add an extra layer of visual interest. I'm all ears for whatever you envision for your portrait session.