How to Prepare for a Newborn Photography Session

It’s not easy to photograph newborns, especially if you are just starting out or perhaps you have never done newborn photography before.

It can take time to master the art of photographing babies. Patience is a must. Even the most experienced newborn photographers will have their babies arrive at the studio to cry and scream the whole time. It happens to all of us, unfortunately. Keep trying and take it on the chin.

These tips will help you capture beautiful baby photos.

Newborn Posing Tip #1: Be All Set

You can prepare your room in advance. I usually use three blankets/fabrics and three-floor sets. I take all my scarves, hats, and hairpieces from my stash and compare them to the fabrics I selected. The same procedure is used for any floor arrangement. I place containers, crates, and bowls along a line against a wall. Once everything is set up, I visualize the session and write down the newborn picture in accordance with the flow of the session. My mind helps me stay focused and centered by looking through my newborn photos.

Happy Baby #2: Newborn Posing Tip #2

A happy, healthy, and well-fed newborn is the critical ingredient to a great newborn photography session. The temperature of the space should be between 80 and 85 degrees. A space heater should be kept near the prop to provide heat. You can also keep a hairdryer running in the background to add white noise and comfort for the baby. To help me feel calm, I like to listen to relaxing music in the background.

Before you try any newborn baby poses, make sure that your baby is adequately fed and burped. Gas can cause distress and make a baby miserable. Photographing newborn babies is best done within the first two weeks. I choose to photograph newborn babies within 5-7 days of their birth. The newborn is ready for mom’s milk to set in and will soon fall into a milk coma.

Newborn Posing Tip #3: Newborn Poses

Fabric/Blanket Poses

I begin with the fabric/blanket positions. Babies love tummy time, so it’s easy for them to do those curled-up poses. It reminds them of being wrapped up in their mommy’s stomach. A quick tip: Master only one pose at a given time. It is tempting to try every pose that you see other photographers do. However, it can be desirable to learn how to photograph newborns in the most preferred pose first and then build your poses around it. After photographing each pose, I put on a hat and wrap a scarf or wrap around the baby’s head. You should take advantage of all the poses that you can obtain so you can offer your client a wide range of images. Just by taking three photos of the exact same pose with different parts, I can create a variety of newborn poses for my client.

Flooring Poses

Once I am satisfied with my newborn photography ideas, I transfer the baby onto the floor for the fabric poses. The floor poses present another challenge. You need to keep your baby asleep, and you will also have to help him with his work in bins, crates, or other props. Baby will often wake up when you place the prop. To help your baby fall asleep, place your hands and fingers on his head.

Mom/Dad

The most loved newborn photography poses are those with mom and dad. These images are consistently purchased by them. First, pose baby with mom, then include dad for a shot together. Finally, hand the baby to dad for the last newborn photos of the day.