Lifestyle vs Posed Portrait Session - Chicago's Premier Newborn Photographer

Lifestyle vs. Posed Newborn Sessions

Hannah Drews Photography offers two kinds of sessions for documenting this unique moment in your child's life. Choose between a lifestyle portrait session or a posed session based on your desired outcome from our time together. We are thrilled to work with you in creating one-of-a-kind imagery that will commemorate this amazing family event. Read on to learn more!

What is a Lifestyle Session?

We find that lifestyle portraits are an ideal way to portray the raw emotion of the moment. Candid images, unposed, artistically capture things just as they are; real moments frozen in time for you and your family to enjoy over and over. They may additionally include shots of mom and dad, siblings, and even the family pet interacting with baby! 


Lifestyle sessions do not require as much time as a posed session, and are ideal for fussy babies who have difficulty falling asleep, or babies older than 14 days. A typical lifestyle session lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on baby. 

What is a Posed Session?

Posed sessions may take a bit more time and elbow grease than lifestyle, but it's well worth the work! With a few props and cooperation from baby, posed sessions result in images that will make the whole family, friends, and Facebook buds go Ga-Ga. Cute hats, baskets, and blankets surround your little one while we capture Baby slumbering in adorable poses. A typical posed session may last anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, and generally requires cooperation from mom and dad. We require a minimum of 3 hours per session to ensure we get the best (and most adorable) results.

If you’re having trouble deciding which type of session you’d like for your newborn, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions - we’ll be happy to work with you one on one to create beautiful and meaningful heirloom imagery!

All pricing info can be found here

Hannah Drews of Hannah Drews Photography is an award-winning photographer serving the city of Chicago as well as the surrounding suburbs. She specializes in Chicago newborn photography, Chicago child photography and Chicago family photography and works primarily with beautiful, natural light. Booking with Hannah Drews Photography ensures you will receive a timeless portrait that you and your family will cherish for a lifetime. Her style is classic, natural, and simple.

Welcome Baby Ava! - Chicago Newborn Photography

I really love being a newborn photographer in Chicago. I am able to meet so many lovely people and snuggle so many adorable newborn babies. It really is the best job! Baby Ava was such a little sweetheart and was oh so curly and squishy :-) At the beginning of the session I let her get cozy and comfortable, letting her stretch her little arms out. She loved being swaddled up in the basket and probably would have slept like that for hours. It is always great to be able to mix in some lifestyle portraits incorporating the whole family (furry children included) and we were able to get some great shots in the master bedroom as well as Ava's adorable nursery. Below are some of my favorite portraits although it was tough to narrow it down!

Welcome to the world, Ava!

Hannah Drews of Hannah Drews Photography is an award-winning photographer serving the city of Chicago  as well as the surrounding suburbs. She specializes in newborn, maternity, and family portraits and works primarily with beautiful, natural light. Booking with Hannah Drews Photography ensures you will receive a timeless portrait that you and your family will cherish for a lifetime. Her style is classic, natural, and simple.

Welcome, Baby Eloise!

I love going to client's homes and being able to document bits of their lives after bringing home a new baby. One of my favorite and most adorable spots to shoot is in the nursery. Every nursery I have seen in Chicago has been so unique, yet fitting to that family. This lovely nursery was no exception; soft lilac colors and a chandelier, what more could you ask for! It was great to be able to utilize some personal family items including a lovely gold tea set that once belonged to little Eloise's great-grandmother. Welcome to the world, baby Eloise!

Exciting News at Hannah Drews Photography!

Over the past few weeks you may have noticed some changes at Hannah Drews Photography as I slowly create my new website and blog. I have spent many hours working on a fresh website design (loving my new logo from Indie Grace Design Studio) and have also made some adjustments to my pricing structure.

New Website!

Each new collection includes digital images (hooray!), and with the most inclusive collection, you will receive beautiful heirloom products featured below; a gorgeous white leather 12x12 photo album, gallery-wrapped canvas, and custom USB loaded with your full portrait gallery.

Top: 12x12 layflat 30-page album

Bottom: 24x30 inch Gallery Wrapped Canvas

I am also very excited to now offer Lifestyle Portrait Sessions! This is a great option for those clients looking for a more laid-back, documentary type of photo shoot that takes place in their home (or other favorite spot).  This session, along with my Child, Family, & Engagement Sessions, are only $350 and include a USB of your full photo gallery.

Please take a look around my new site and let me know what you think! 

www.hannahdrewsphotography.com