Why I will always prefer in-home newborn photography to a studio.

There’s something undeniably beautiful about a perfectly styled studio. The soft lighting, the cozy props, the clean backdrops—studio photography is polished, timeless, and curated. I’ve worked in studios and understand the appeal. But if I had to choose one setting for newborn photography again and again, I would always choose your home.

To me, in-home newborn sessions are where the real magic lives.

Your home tells your story. It’s the place where you rocked through contractions, counted down the days, and finally brought your baby home. It’s where your lives changed—forever. And it holds pieces of you that no studio ever could. The worn-in couch where you’ve been cuddling. The light that filters through the nursery window. The way your partner reaches for the baby without thinking, barefoot and sleep-deprived, but completely in love. These aren’t details you can recreate in a backdrop—they’re lived-in, heartfelt moments that deserve to be remembered exactly as they are.

As a newborn photographer serving Appleton WI, Green Bay, and the surrounding Fox Valley, I specialize in lifestyle sessions that take place in the comfort of your own home. These sessions are calm, flexible, and baby-led. There’s no pressure for anyone to “perform.” No need to pack up your newborn or leave the house during those tender first days. You don’t have to worry if your toddler is feeling wild or your home isn’t “perfect.” In fact, I welcome the mess and the chaos—it’s part of your real, beautiful life.

Why In-Home Always Wins (For Me and For You)

There’s a softness to in-home newborn sessions that feels honest. The way your baby fits in your arms on your own bed. The way your older child leans in with curiosity (or runs through the frame with a toy—that’s beautiful, too). I’ve found that families are more relaxed at home, and that ease shows up in every image. Instead of stiff posing, I guide you through natural connection—feeding, snuggling, soothing, and simply being together.

Studio photos, while styled and sweet, can often feel disconnected from your story. The blankets aren’t yours. The props aren’t yours. And sometimes, the poses don’t feel like your baby. Sure, the final images may be pretty—but they’re missing the soul.

At home, you can pause to nurse or change a diaper without feeling like you’re “on the clock.” You can swaddle your baby in the same blanket Grandma gifted you. You can cuddle on your own couch, in the home you’ll raise this baby in—and those layers of meaning add so much depth to the images.

But Is My Home “Good Enough”?

This is one of the most common concerns I hear from new parents: “But our home isn’t finished… it’s small… the nursery isn’t done… the light isn’t great…” Let me reassure you: your home is more than good enough. You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect house. All we need is a window and the love you already have.

Some of my favorite sessions have taken place in tiny apartments, dim living rooms, or cluttered nurseries filled with postpartum supplies. What matters is you, your baby, and the love that fills the space. I’ll help you find the light, clear a corner if we need to, and focus on capturing the connection—not the perfection.

A Session That Feels Like Home

In-home sessions aren’t just about taking pictures—they’re about documenting a moment in time you’ll never get back. The softness of your baby’s hair. The way they curl up on your chest. The way your partner looks at you, tired and in awe. These are the things I want you to remember.

So if you’re in Appleton WI, Green Bay, or anywhere near the Fox Valley and looking for a newborn photographer who values the real over the posed, the meaningful over the perfect—I’d be honored to step into your space and tell your story.

Let’s make something honest, beautiful, and true—right where it all began.

But don’t take my word for it…

“Jaime was an absolute dream to work with! Not did our photos turned out absolutely beautifully, but the session was so relaxed feeling. She is wonderful with kids – I was a little concerned my 3 year old would be uncooperative for pictures, but Jaime has a special kind of magic that allowed my son to warm up really quickly.

I’m so happy we went with Jaime for our son’s newborn photos – she captured all the little details that will remind me of this fleeting chapter.”

Words by Ashley M.

Want to see the full gallery from this recent Appleton in-home newborn session? Click here!