Safe and beautiful shots for easy transitions and a gallery full of images parents will love
From Above
I find newborn images taken from above the baby are one of the easiest lifestyle newborn photography poses to create. It’s comfortable and there are so many ways to add variety. This is the pose I start with since the baby is often still asleep after the car ride and will usually transition easily. This sweet girl, however, decided it was awake time. As long as they are calm, I continue as planned. If they get fussy, I will usually switch to standing parent shots if the baby wants to be held.
- Zoom out and capture the baby’s full body with significant white space. Parents want to see all of baby.
- Add a basket or a soft, pastel blanket for some extra style or variety
- Don’t forget to zoom in for close-ups and details
- Add a parent or sibling, or simply, just their hands to show connection
- Make small adjustments to the baby’s position for extra variety.
From the Side
While baby is still laying on a bed or other safe surface capture them from the side. Follow the same tips as above.
Standing Poses
These are often the poses that can be overcomplicated. Think about the natural ways parents hold their babies and start there
- Cradling them
- have parents look at you for a traditional shot then down at baby
- add in the other parent and/or family members
- move parents around for extra variety
- Baby resting on parents chest (I usually save this pose for the dad’s
- by placing baby’s booty on the parents chest with their legs facing up toward the parents face baby will be secure and easily brought up to the parents face for kisses or nose touches
- this is a great pose for capturing a side profile view of baby
- don’t forget the details
- Cheek to Cheek
- For this session I had parents place baby’s head in their right hand and baby’s booty in their left hand. From here baby can be brought safely up to the face or cradled.
Laura Cardan is a light and airy photographer serving the Birmingham, Alabama area. Laura offers lifestyle newborn sessions on-location and in studio.
Did you enjoy this post? You may enjoy learning about Laura’s other newborn session offerings in the Birmingham area.