Newborn Photography Ideas - Family Photo Shoot with Your Newborn

Discover newborn family photography ideas and more!

Congratulations on the arrival of your precious little one! Your baby has finally entered the world, filling your heart with boundless joy and love. Now, as you embark on this incredible journey of parenthood, it’s only natural that you want to capture every precious moment and create timeless memories. What better way to start than with your baby’s first photoshoot?

When it comes to newborn photography, the possibilities are endless. It’s an opportunity to let your creativity soar and freeze those fleeting moments in time. In this article, we will delve into a world of inspiration and provide you with an array of newborn photography ideas and invaluable tips that will transform your baby’s first photoshoot into an unforgettable experience.

What’s your newborn photography style?

Newborn photography is a vast realm, encompassing a wide range of styles and approaches. There’s a rich variety from the meticulously posed compositions reminiscent of Anne Geddes to the candid and authentic captures of documentary birth photography. Understanding the type of photos that resonate with you will refine your vision and guide you toward the perfect style that reflects your preferences and brings your baby’s essence to life.

What are the different types of Newborn photography?

Highly-posed newborn photography

There are diverse possibilities within this style, including photos of babies swaddled in blankets with flowers in their hair or peacefully snuggled with hands under their chins. However, these charming pictures often involve complex posing, and at times, multiple images are digitally combined to achieve specific results, which while adorable, aren’t always natural.

How are those poses achieved?

Did you know that babies are really flexible during their first few weeks of life? They tend to sleep for more than 20 hours and are used to being curled up like they were in the womb. To help position them for cute photos, photographers use swaddles, posing pillows, and sometimes even enlist the help of parents.

If you prefer highly posed newborn photos, schedule your session within the first 7-10 days of birth. However, keep in mind that parents may still be recovering both physically and emotionally. Due to the significant hormonal shifts that occur during the first few weeks after birth, many mothers prefer to wait until closer to 10-14 days to schedule their session.

Natural Newborn Photos

Although swaddles and pillows may be used in this style, it’s done so sparingly. Natural newborn photos are a little more “lifestyle” oriented, meaning the baby isn’t staged in a way they wouldn’t be in real life. Often, photographers focus more on creating clean, airy photos that use crops to create artistic compositions and incorporate parents and siblings into the pictures.

Documentary-style newborn photos

Some parents choose documentary-style newborn photography to capture raw emotions and authenticity, with photos taken during or after labor immortalizing the baby’s first breaths of life. This intimate style showcases newborns adorned with fluids from the birth canal or nursing peacefully at their mother’s breasts.

Like Goldilocks, you can find a style in the middle.

I absolutely love combining my background in photojournalism and my passion for art and design to create a unique style. When it comes to taking newborn photos, I like to add textures such as tulle and dimension with soft-dried flowers. But what really makes a great photo is capturing those raw emotions in the moment – like the tender touch of a father or the sweet kiss of a mother.

What are some examples of newborn photo ideas to consider?

Below I’ve created a list of different newborn photography ideas broken down into categories:

Below, I’ve created a list of different newborn photography ideas broken down into categories:

Just Baby Photos:

Baby swaddled: closeup, overall, on baby’s side, other colored swaddles, hands out, arms out, swaddle in the background, feet out
Baby in something: baby in a basket, baby in a bucket, baby in parents’ hands, baby in a posing pillow
Fresh-48: Within the first 48 hours of delivery, the baby is just out of the womb

Baby with Family Photos:

Mom with baby: Start with mom holding the baby in arms, mom gazing at baby in her lap, mom on knees having baby, mom gazing at the baby on the bed, mom holding baby against her face, mom kissing the baby, mom in the window with baby, mom in rocking chair with baby, mom laying baby down in the crib, mom holding baby’s hands
Dad with baby: Then move to dad holding the baby in arms, dad looking at the baby in hands, dad holding the baby like a football, dad holding baby with one hand with the baby on their belly, dad’s hands and baby’s head, dad on the edge of the bed with the baby in arms

Baby and sibling(s): Sibling holding baby propped up against pillows or couch cushion, baby and sibling lying down together on bed or floor, baby and sibling’s heads side-by-side, but opposite, sibling gazing down at baby swaddled on the bed, sibling kissing the baby, siblings all laying together with baby

Sibling holding baby propped up against pillows or couch cushion, baby and sibling lying down together on bed or floor, baby and sibling heads side-by-side, but opposite, sibling gazing down at baby swaddled on the bed, sibling kissing the baby, siblings all laying together with baby

Family with baby:

Family snuggled on bed or couch together, mom or dad holding the baby looking at the camera, Family snuggled on bed or couch together looking at the baby, Family snuggled on bed or couch together, everyone tickling or kissing each other, family backlit standing against the window holding the baby, family silhouetted against the window, holding the baby

Outside with baby:

Mom in white with newborn holding the baby in a beautiful, natural setting, mom nursing the baby in nature, baby in a basket in nature, baby and mom dancing together, siblings holding the baby in a natural setting, parents hugging each other while holding the baby

Details of baby

Close-up pictures of babies hands, feet, mouth, ears, swirls of hair, parent and babies fingers, baby rolls, eyelashes

This list provides a wellspring of inspiration for your newborn photography session. If you have any questions about newborn photography or want to book a session, please email me at info@rifeponcephotography.com or call 402-304-4057.

Check out the below bonus examples and other things to consider for a newborn session!