Lifestyle Newborn Sessions | Chagrin Falls Photographer | Danelle Joy Photography

When booking a newborn session it can be difficult with all the decisions that take place. Not only choosing the right style photographer you would like for the newborn portraits but also the type of photos. Most photographers offer newborn or in home newborn shoots. What is exactly the difference?

The traditional newborn portraits usually take in a studio and the in home newborn session take place in the comforts of your own home. When choosing a newborn portraits with me I do offer both sessions.

What do you get with each session?

With the newborn portraits, they take place in my studio and its combination of backdrop, props and “lifestyle” type photos in the lifestyle area of my studio. So you actually do get a unique combination of both!

For the in home session, when traveling to you. I bring my props, outfits and accessories needed for the shoot. The rest of the photos are taken wherever you would like in your home.

During your session, I'll capture special moments with each family member and the baby as well as the family all together. If siblings are involved, we usually take care of those photos first so that they can go and play during the rest of the session. There will also be time for photos of the baby alone; these are usually done when the baby is sleepiest. 

How can you prepare if I’m visiting your home?

I usually ask for a 4x4 space that is window lit. I usually use the back slider area of most homes. It brings in tons of light and enough room for the newborn portraits with props. The rest of the photos can take place either in your living room, bedroom or nursery.

For more information, please reach out and I’d be happy to answer any questions.

xoxo~ Danelle

Now offering Fresh 48 Photography | Cleveland, Ohio | Northeast Ohio Photographer

I am so very excited to announce the addition of the “Fresh 48 Photography Sessions” to my packages. You may ask, what exactly is the Fresh 48?

This type of photography is a special session for the those families who want the first few hours of their Newborn’s life captured without the labor or birth documented. The sessions take place at the hospital or birthing center within the first 24-48 hours of life. This session is also known more as a lifestyle and documentary approach of the the newborn and their immediate family. Please note this is not a traditional Newborn Session and I will not pose the baby or bring any props.  

This is what you can expect during the Fresh 48. Once the baby is born and you are settled in your room, I will come to the hospital for your session.  This is typically on day 2.  Since I use natural light, I come during daylight hours.  Between doctors, nurses, and visitors, we don’t have a large window of time for pictures.  Sessions typically last about 45-60 minutes.  This allows time for individual pictures of baby, pictures with parents, and meeting siblings. This will be my chance to capture your baby’s sweet new moments in a fresh natural way!

I LOVED doing the Fresh 48 sessions before Covid. After Covid hit, the hospitals were not allowing that many visitors back into the hospitals. I’m happy to say things have been back to normal and able to capture these beautiful moments for you.

A little background about me.. I am newborn safety certified along with having my Bachelors of Science in Nursing (RN) I can ensure your precious little one will be in great care.

Lifestyle Newborn Session | Cleveland, Ohio | Best Baby Photographer

I absolutely love getting the chance to visit and shoot at family’s homes. There is just something so special about photographing those beautiful new moments in the comforts of your own home. Plus, wouldn’t it be great for me to visit you! After all no one feels like leaving the house right after coming home from the hospital.

What happens when I visit? I bring everything to you! The unique thing about my style of photography is I offer a little bit of both posed newborn photos with lifestyle photos. I have heard many times people still like both setups! I do bring everything needed for the newborn shoot. All I ask in advance is a small 4x4 window lit area for those shots. Usually a back slider or window works perfectly. The lifestyle photos are usually taken throughout the home such as the living room, master and nursery.

I’m now booking into 2024. Please reach out for more information.

xoxo~

Danelle

Lifestyle Newborn Shoot | On Location | Mentor Ohio | Cleveland Ohio

There is nothing sweeter than visiting a family’s home and telling their story. I understand and get it, you just came home from the hospital and your world has been turned upside down. To say the least. The last thing you feel like doing is leaving the house with the baby and half the nursery to get photos taken. So let me visit you! Thats the beauty of lifestyle newborn shoots. I bring everything to you and take the photos in the comforts of your own home. The session is usually about 2-2.5 hours long and includes photos of just the newborn and creative shots with mom and dad. Please reach out and schedule your newborn shoot today:)

Lifestyle Newborn Session | On-Location Shoot | Cleveland, Ohio | Newborn Photographer

You may have heard the term “lifestyle newborn shoot” but never really understood what it was. So what if a lifestyle shoot?? In basic terms, it really means unposed more candid type photos that usually take place in your own home. A Lifestyle newborn session involves creating more artistic and candid type photos instead of staged poses. Examples are being cradled in a parent's arms, or sleeping in a bassinet or cot. Lifestyle newborn photos appear natural and “unstaged”. I usually like to have the session flow naturally and organically while shooting in your home, nursery and master bedroom. Even though I do love these photos so much the benefits of choosing my style of photography is I offer both lifestyle and prop photos of the newborn. I have found over the years parents still want a combination of both photos. And that is exactly what I offer!

I bring some props, swaddles and my beanbag for a few of the traditional newborn poses then I move onto the lifestyle session. I truly believe its a nice blend of both worlds.

If you are interested in booking a newborn shoot, I highly recommend booking while you’re still pregnant. The photos should take place anytime from day 5 to day 15 of life and my calendar fills up in advance.

XOXO~ Danelle

Lifestyle Newborn Session | Newborn Photography | Award Winning Photographer

This time of year can be so cold and bitter. Who wants to venture out of their home especially with a newborn?! No one, right! How nice would it sound if I said you could stay home while I bring everything to you! Amazing right. Why bundle up and venture out. This is exactly why I like to offer Lifestyle Newborn Shoots in the comforts of your own home. What is a Lifestyle Newborn Shoot? I get asked this many times and many people have told me they don’t just want candid photos. That is why I bring all my newborn items with me and you get both candid shots plus all the prop newborn shoots. All in the comforts of your own home. The only requirement I need is a nice window lit 4 ft x 4ft area. Usually a patio slider door works perfectly, and has beautiful light coming through even on the darkest day.

Depending on how the baby is acting I like to start with the wrapped prop and bean bag poses. They look very similar to what you see here in my gallery. After I’m done with the newborn shoots we move on to the lifestyle (candid) shots throughout the home. Places that work the best are living room, nursery and master bedroom.

I am now booking newborns for 2023, and I offer both in studio and on location shoots. Please reach out for more pricing and booking information.

Lifestyle Newborn Photography | Mentor, Ohio | Cleveland, Ohio

How to prepare for a Lifestyle Newborn Shoot! You just had a baby, discharged home and the photographer is showing up this week~ Yes, it can feel like a whirlwind of emotions leading up to the birth and afterwards. The most important thing is to RELAX. The house doesn’t need to be magazine ready, I can make any spot of any home look picture ready.

When to book:

The sooner the better with Newborn Portraits. Newborn photo dates fill up quickly and its best to get the date you want and no more stress of worrying. I also recommend Newborn photos to take place from day 5 to day 15 of life. Anytime after that is still possible. I also like to explain to parents that around the 1 month mark, babies are much more awake and aware of their surrounding. At this age its hard to settle down as quickly, and create those desired newborn poses.

When I’m traveling to your home, all I ask is a 4x4 window lit area if possible. This spot is where all the typical newborn shots and props take place. The more lifestyle aka candid shots take place in the living room, nursery and master bedroom. I alway say less clutter the better.

What to wear:

I’m a big fan of soft earthy neutral tones. Pick a neutral color pallet and have mom, dad and siblings pick a color to coordinate never match. Please don't show up with white shirts and blue jeans.. That look left with the 80’s;):)

I also recommend feeding the baby and keeping the house warm right before I arrive. This will create those sleepy vibes I need from the baby.

If you’re interested in setting up Lifestyle Newborn Shoot, please contact me.

xoxo ~Danelle

Lifestyle Photography | Brecksville, Ohio | Cleveland, Ohio

Oh how I love traveling to families home and photographing their newest arrival. Once your home and settled the last thing you may feel like doing is leaving the house. So let me bring my studio to you! When I visit families home I bring many of my props, swaddles and items needed to create a beautiful gallery in the comforts of your home. The session consists of both traditional newborn portraits in props as well as lifestyle shots. These shots are done with the family and usually take place throughout the home. They are the more candid and intimate shots and less posed. But I understand how most families want both type of pictures. I offer both, so no need to choose!

Please reach out for specific pricing and booking with all my Newborn Packages.

Fresh 48 Photography | Cleveland, Ohio | Lake County, Ohio

I am so very excited to announce the addition of the “Fresh 48 Photography Sessions” to my packages. You may ask, what exactly is the Fresh 48?

This type of photography is a special session for the those families who want the first few hours of their Newborn’s life captured without the labor or birth documented. The sessions take place at the hospital or birthing center within the first 24-48 hours of life. This session is also known more as a lifestyle and documentary approach of the the newborn and their immediate family. Please note this is not a traditional Newborn Session and I will not pose the baby or bring any props.  

This is what you can expect during the Fresh 48. Once the baby is born and you are settled in your room, I will come to the hospital for your session.  This is typically on day 2.  Since I use natural light, I come during daylight hours.  Between doctors, nurses, and visitors, we don’t have a large window of time for pictures.  Sessions typically last about 45-60 minutes.  This allows time for individual pictures of baby, pictures with parents, and meeting siblings. This will be my chance to capture your baby’s sweet new moments in a fresh natural way!

Most recently I also completed my safety certification for Newborn Photography. With this new certification along with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing (RN) I can ensure your precious little one will be in great care.

Beautiful in home session with a precious little lady

There is something so special about those first few months when your newborn is brought home. Everything is so very fresh, new, exciting and precious all wrapped up together. Its these little moments you wish you could stop time and soak it all in. It all happens so fast from the moment you bring them home you blink and they are riding their bike. This is why hitting the pause button with photography is so important for any new family. Doing the in home lifestyle photography sessions have become a new favorite of mine. These are not posed, unpractical and stiff images. More like natural, candid and breath taking is a better way to describe lifestyle photography. I had so much fun with the H family and their new baby girl. We were able to capture so many beautiful shots throughout the home while working on the baby's timetable. If you are considering newborn photography it is best to book prior to delivery. Please contact me for more information on my newborn packages.

A Beautiful Newborn and Lifestyle in home Session.

You may have heard the term "Lifestyle Family Session", but never fully understood what that meant or what it entails. I was excited to announce my Newborn sessions now have the option of adding on the Lifestyle Session at a clients home. So what is a "Lifestyle Session"? The at-home lifestyle newborn sessions are about the connection and love that family members already have for this new life. During these sessions my goal is to capture the special moments with each family member and the baby as well as the family all together. The siblings are involved as well with the session. The benefits of having the session in your home is to allow the siblings to run and play while the "newborn posed" pictures are taking place. These sessions are at a much more relaxed-casual pace and often times the youngest member of the family (aka, the newborn) will dictate how the session runs.  The session is usually 2-3 hours in length depending on how sleepy the baby is in order to achieve the newborn poses. I usually like to start the session with the Newborn. It is best to keep the baby awake 2-3 hours and fed prior to my arrival. Once I arrive I prefer to begin with the newborn photos. These photos usually consist of props and the use of my beanbag. If the baby is not cooperating, no worries, we may move to the nursery with some candid mom and baby photos. Its a very laid back session, and we all go with the flow.  If the baby is still not quite ready for their individual pictures this is a great time to photograph the baby with mom, dad and incorporate the siblings. After those pictures are complete, I will go back to the newborn photos. My newborn photos are a mixture of swaddling in a few "posed" positions but often times they may appear in a more relaxed newborn position. My goal isn't to turn your beautiful newborn into a "frog" pose but rather photograph all the unique and beautiful qualities the newborn has in a more natural way. This would include the baby's feet, eye lashes, and flaking skin. After all, time waits for no one, and we have a very small window of time to capture these beautiful newborn characteristics. If you are interested in my "Simply Beautiful Newborn" Sessions, please contact me for pricing and booking. It is best to book the newborn sessions prior to delivery. The best time period to photograph newborns is day 2-12 of life. Anytime before 2 weeks of life is best and helps to achieve the sleepy and newborn qualities. 

A Fall Family Session at the Hapersfield Covered Bridge

The beautiful fall colors paired with a covered bridge might just be my new favorite location for fall family photos. I was asked by the S. Family to take their family photos at the Harpersfield Covered Bridge. The bridge is located near Geneva in Ashtabula County.  As soon as I drove through the bridge and saw the beautiful water, trees and falling leaves I knew this would soon become a special place.  The more I talked with the S. Family I began to learn how this place held a special meaning to them. They spoke how their grandparents would visit here often and they even had an oil painting of the bridge hanging in their home. My goal was to re create those images and memories the best I could with the covered bridge. The bridge dates as far back to 1868, when it was first constructed. I greatly enjoyed my time with the S. Family, they all were so much fun to be around and make some memories together. Here are some of my favorites from our time together.

Summer Mini Session at Headlands Beach-Part 2

More beautiful families from my Family Mini Session held at Headlands Beach in Mentor, Ohio.

Headlands Beach Summer Mini Sessions - Cleveland, Ohio Family Portraits

The Summer Mini Sessions for July 2017 were held at Headlands Beach. It may not be known as one of the most beautiful places in all of Ohio for swimming. However, it continues to be my favorite places in Ohio for family portraits. The natural sandy beach, tall grasses, blue water and golden light all come together and make a beautiful backdrop for photography. I was lucky enough to have 6 families join me in my Summer Minis and capture some beautiful images. Headlands beach is and will always be a favorite place to photograph many families to come!

A lovely couple at Squires Castle

There is nothing more beautiful than a young couple in love. I felt so honored to photograph this lovely couple on a  warm summer night. This fun Engagement Photography Session took place at Squires Castle in Willoughby Hills, OH. This castle is nestled in the Cleveland Metroparks and served as a romantic backdrop.