Skokie & Chicago North Shore
Newborn Photography
The tiny details you'll want to remember forever.
Book Your Newborn SessionTovy Photography offers in-home newborn photography in Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Lincolnwood and across Chicago's North Shore. It is lifestyle newborn photography in natural window light, photographed at your home when your baby is about 5 to 14 days old, and sessions start at $300 with edited images and full print rights included.
I am Gabi, a Skokie-based photographer. I come to you, follow your baby's cues, and photograph siblings and the whole family in the same visit, so the first days at home are the photos you keep.
What a newborn session feels like
Your baby just got here. Everything is new, a little chaotic, and completely beautiful. The last thing you need is to pack a diaper bag and drive across town for photos.
That's why I come to you.
I'll show up at your home in Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, or anywhere on the North Shore with everything I need. You stay in your pajamas if you want. Your baby stays comfortable in the space they already know. And I work around their schedule: feeding breaks, diaper changes, nap time. None of it is a problem. All of it is expected.
The result? Photos that feel exactly like those first days actually feel. Quiet, warm, and full of a love so big it surprises you.
What is lifestyle newborn photography?
Lifestyle newborn photography is a relaxed, unposed style that photographs your baby with the people and places around them, instead of on a studio backdrop with props. It looks like the Hoffman family's in-home newborn session: parents by the window, big siblings on the couch, and the tiny details in between.
The best time for newborn photos
How old should my baby be for newborn photos?
The sweet spot is 5 to 14 days old. During this window, babies are sleepier, curlier, and still have that brand-new softness that disappears faster than you'd think. I can gently pose them in those tucked, cozy positions that look so natural because they just spent nine months like that.
That said, if your baby is three weeks old and you haven't booked yet, don't panic. We can absolutely still do a beautiful session. It just might look a little different, and that's perfectly fine.
When should I book a newborn photographer?
I recommend reaching out during your third trimester so we can get a tentative date on the calendar. Once your baby arrives, we'll confirm the real date together.
What you get
Every newborn session includes:
- In-home session: I come to you, no studio needed
- Baby-led timing: we follow your newborn's cues, not a shot list
- Gentle, natural posing: no props, no forced positions, just your baby being brand new
- Family and sibling photos: we'll capture the whole crew together
- Detail shots: tiny toes, curled fingers, that impossibly soft skin
- Professionally edited images: delivered in a private online gallery
- Full print rights: print whatever you want, wherever you want
Newborn session pricing
How much does newborn photography cost in Skokie?
Sessions start at $300 for a mini session and go up to $550 for a full session with extended coverage and more edited images. Every package includes an online gallery and full print rights. For a wider look at what shapes the price, read my guide to newborn photography cost.
View Full PricingWhat makes in-home newborn photos work
Can you do newborn photography at home?
Yes, and in-home newborn photography is how I photograph most of my newborn sessions: I bring everything to your house, find your best window, and work around feeds and naps. If you are weighing it against a studio, here is my honest comparison of newborn photos at home vs. a studio.
Dark rooms are the number one worry, and the easiest fix. Nearly every home has one window with enough light. I find it, turn off the overhead lights so skin tones stay true, and work within a few feet of it. One good window is all your living room needs.
The 5 to 14 day window closes fast. That is why I hold a tentative date during your third trimester instead of waiting for the birth announcement. If baby arrives early or late, we shift.
Safety comes before any pose. No props, no balancing, no stacked positions. Every pose is one your baby can hold on their own on a safe surface, with a parent always within reach.
Siblings need their own plan. A toddler meeting the camera and a new baby on the same afternoon is a lot. I photograph sibling and family frames first while everyone is fresh, then let the big kid go play while we do the quiet baby details.
Feeding and fussing are part of the session, not interruptions. I book newborn sessions with generous time so a feed or a diaper change never means we run out of light or patience.
Common questions about newborn photography
When should I book my newborn session?
Book during your third trimester, ideally around 30 to 34 weeks. We'll set a tentative date based on your due date, then confirm once your baby arrives. The best window for photos is 5 to 14 days old.
Do I need to have a clean house?
No. I only need a small area near a window with good natural light. I'll move things around if needed. Your home doesn't need to be magazine-ready. It needs to be yours.
What if my baby won't sleep or is fussy?
That's completely normal and expected. We go at your baby's pace. If they need to eat, we pause. If they need to be held, we adjust. Some of my favorite images come from those wide-awake, curious moments.
Can we include siblings and family photos?
Absolutely. I always build in ample time for family shots and sibling photos. These are some of the most meaningful images from a newborn session.
How long does the session last?
Newborn sessions typically run 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the baby's mood. There's no clock running. We take whatever time we need.
Where do you photograph newborn sessions?
Primarily in-home throughout Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Lincolnwood, and the greater North Shore. Your baby is most comfortable at home, and the photos feel more personal and authentic.
What is in-home lifestyle newborn photography?
In-home newborn photography means I come to your house, and lifestyle newborn photography means I photograph your baby and family as you really are, in natural window light, with gentle guidance instead of props. Together they give you photos of your baby in the rooms, arms and blankets of their first days at home.
Ready to capture these first days?
I'd love to hear about your growing family and start planning your session. Reach out during your pregnancy or after delivery so we can save your spot.
Let's TalkReady to book? Sessions start at $300