Tips from a Minneapolis Newborn Photographer & Interior Designer

Today I collaborated with Minneapolis Interior Designer, Kelly Hayes Erickson over at Carriage House Studio to bring you 5 Expert Tips in Preparing your Home for In-Home Newborn Photos!

In-home newborn photography is all about preserving real life — the tiny details, the quiet moments, and the spaces where your family is beginning this sweet new chapter.

But one of the biggest factors in creating soft, timeless newborn images isn’t the nursery décor or even the outfits.

It’s light and simplicity.

As a Minneapolis in-home newborn photographer, I worked with Carriage House Studio who understands how thoughtful design and quick styling can completely transform how a home photographs. Today, we’re sharing our combined tips to help you prepare your home for a relaxed, beautiful newborn session.

Why Your Home Matters in In-Home Newborn Photography

In-home newborn sessions are meant to feel natural, calm, and candid, showing raw and tender moments with your new baby.

Your home becomes the backdrop to your baby’s first story. The right room, good natural light, and a simplified space allow the focus to stay exactly where it should be — on your baby and your connection as a family.

The goal is not a perfect home.

The goal is a peaceful, light-filled environment that photographs beautifully.

1. Choose the Brightest Room in Your Home

When planning your newborn session, the single most important factor is natural light.

Look for the room that:
-Has the largest windows
-Receives soft daylight in the morning or early afternoon
-Feels open and uncluttered

This is often:

The primary bedroom, a living room with large windows or the nursery

As a photographer, I always choose the brightest space, even if it’s not the nursery. Natural Light matters most– overhead lights & lamps will always stay off!

Kelly’s Designer Tip:

Light-colored walls and simple window treatments reflect natural light and help create that airy, timeless look in photos.

2. Declutter the Rooms We’ll Be Using

For in-home newborn sessions, we typically use only one or two rooms.

Focus your energy there.

Before your session:

• Clear nightstands and dressers
• Remove extra pillows and throws
• Tidy visible surfaces like coffee tables and shelves
• Hide cords, baby gear, and clutter into closets or baskets

You do not need to deep clean your entire house.

Just simplify the spaces that will be photographed.

Kelly’s Designer Tip:

Think in terms of negative space. Empty surfaces help the eye rest — and help your baby stand out in every image.

3. Keep Styling Soft, Neutral, and Simple

In newborn photography, less truly is more.

The best spaces photograph with:

• Neutral bedding
• Soft textures (linen, cotton, knits)
• Light wood tones
• Minimal patterns

Avoid:

• Bright, bold colors near the windows
• Heavy patterns
• Large wall art that competes for attention

Simple backdrops create timeless images that won’t feel dated years from now.

4. Prepare Your Bedroom for Parent & Baby Photos

Most in-home newborn sessions include time in the parents’ bedroom.

Before your session:

• Make the bed
• Remove bold pillows and personal clutter
• Clear nightstands except for one or two simple items
• Open curtains and blinds fully

This room often becomes the heart of your gallery — calm, intimate, and full of connection.

5. Let Go of Perfection

This is one of the most important tips of all.

Your home does not need to look like a magazine.

Your baby does not need to be perfectly settled.

In-home newborn photography is about:

• Holding your baby
• Feeding them
• Rocking them
• Being exactly where you are in this season

A simplified space and good light simply allow those moments to shine.

Final Thoughts from a Photographer & Designer

Preparing your home for an in-home newborn session isn’t about creating a showroom.

It’s about creating:

• Light
• Calm
• Space to breathe

When thoughtful design and gentle photography come together, the result is a newborn gallery that feels natural, emotional, and beautifully timeless.

Serving Lakeville, Edina, Minneapolis, & the greater Twin Cities, my specialty is Newborn Photography, both In-Home and In-Studio!

Head over to my website and Instagram to learn more about working with me!

Reach out to Kelly Hayes Erickson, Minneapolis Interior Designer at Carriage House Studio for your next design project.