While every session is a little different, I do have a few favorite newborn photography poses that I like to do at most photoshoots. I don’t like to overly pose my families for their sessions. But, I do give quite a lot of direction so they know what to do. Nothing is worse than standing or sitting awkwardly, unsure of what to do or where to look. I want you to look natural and comfortable, and the best version of yourself.
After my clients arrive, I have mom pick her outfit, and then choose what the baby will wear around mom’s choice. We change the baby and then while mom is finishing getting ready, I like to start with baby laying on the bed. This is a great way to start and see if baby is going to fall asleep, or do some cute awake shots with their adorable personality showing through.
Once mom is ready, I have her lay down on the bed with baby and we do a few different angles and variations. If there are older children, this is also a great time to do some sibling shots laying on the bed. Sometimes I use a pillow to lift the baby’s head, and sometimes I swaddle the baby, depending on how they are feeling.
After these shots, I have mom sit on the floor in front of the bed, and hold baby in her lap and up in front of her face. I’ll add the partner snuggled in with an arm around their back and a hand on baby. This is a favorite shot from above as well as different angles of the whole family. We do looking at the camera and not. Then I’ll flip the baby around so she’s facing outwards, with one hand under baby’s bum and holding her legs, and one hand on her belly. She’ll be leaning back a little bit so baby will be supporting by laying her back on mom’s chest. Dad will help hold baby and then come out for shots just with mom.
Sometimes I do this workflow on the bed, leaning against the pillows, sometimes baby is wrapped, sometimes they are asleep and sometimes they are awake! During newborn photography sessions you definitely need to be flexible with your posing workflow.
Next I like to do some shots with dad holding baby. It all depends on if they are sleepy or awake, but I love having them sit on the bed and hold baby out in front of them, hold the baby cradle style (always with their head toward the light), facing out up against their chest, and up on their shoulder. With each pose I add mom and take multiple angles and do close ups as well as pull backs. I love getting some detail shots while their in dad’s hands, showing off how tiny their fingers and toes are.
Next I move over to my white wall. I usually start with mom laying in the big lounge chair with baby on her chest, then laying in her lap. After lots of angles, I move the chair away and we do various shots of mom holding baby in different positions using the white wall and big wall of windows as a backdrop. Depending on whether baby is asleep or not, I might have mom rock her for some candids, or hold her on her chest for some snuggles.
I love to do shots of mom holding baby up in front of her face, standing in front of the windows from the side. Then I add dad in facing mom. Then I have them turn slightly so they are snuggled together and I move so the while wall is in the background. Sometimes I have them sit on the floor and snuggle together. This works especially well when there are older children.
Depending on how mom is feeling, I might have her sit on the bench or one of the other chairs. If baby needs to eat during the session, I love to do feeding and burping pictures. If there is time and baby is still cooperating, I will move my wall on wheels over so I can use the back side for some variety. Usually, I end my favorite newborn photography poses with baby back on the bed, and try to get her to hold mom’s fingers. Again, it just highlights how tiny she is!
As you see, the poses themselves are pretty simple. Just the parents holding baby in a fairly natural way, but I like to try something new at each session if I can. I hope this list of my favorite newborn photography poses is helpful! Again, my workflow is always flexible depending on how baby is feeling.
