Newborn Photos and Why I Don’t Pose Baby | High Desert Family Photographer
Precious baby girl sleeping
Congratulations on your beaituful new baby, or perhaps, you’re going to pop soon. Either way, congrats mama!
Let’s take a deep breath and get real for a minute. You just had a baby, and you haven’t slept that well in days or even weeks. Stress levels are high, eye bags have turned into luggage, and you aren’t seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, quite yet.
However, you still want these precious moments captured so you have the memories to look back on.
You want real photos that actually feel like you and your sweet family!
Cue the lifestyle family session. If you’re unsure what a lifestyle session is, you can read all about it over here. In a nutshell, I come to you at your home and takes photos.
I wanted to share a recent newborn session and all it entails, below. This is my favorite for those with a brand new member of the family.
Baby propped on a boppy pillow on the coffee table.
Newborn Portrait Timeline
We’ll start with a consultation call a few months ahead of time. Babies and births have their own agendas and timelines, but this call gets the ball rolling.
Baby could come early or late, so the exact date will be up in the air. It’ll be more of a guideline— Like the pirate code.
We’ll discuss details ahead of time— outfits, what mom and dad will wear, other siblings, and so forth.
We’ll also decide if you want birth photos (in-home birth or at the hospital), “fresh 48” (the first 48 hours after baby is born), newborn (1-2 weeks old), or 1-month-old photos.
She’s hungry!
After your baby is born and you’re all settled in, you’ll let me know the perfect time to pop over.
Newborn sessions are meant to be slow and gentle for your baby. You don’t have to stress about the house being clean, what to wear, or whether the baby will cry.
They’re meant to tell a story. Your story.
I’ll arrive with plenty of time in mind. I could be there for as little as 30 minutes or as long as 3 hours.
I will come in, scout some spots inside your home, and set up a light or two, quietly.
I’ll get my camera out and take photos of your baby just being a baby. If it’s feeding or bath time, I’ll capture that.
I want you to have memories of these first few days. Believe me, you’ll forget how tiny the toes and fingers were. You’ll forget those precious newborn smiles—even if it’s just gas.
Sometimes, timing just isn’t right, and I need to come back later or even the next day.
Afterwards, I’ll go home and lightly edit the portraits. If there are little scratches, those will disappear, red spots will be gone too, if you want.
I’ll edit as little as you want. If you don’t want skin smoothing, I won’t do that. If you do want blemishes and such gone, I’ll take care of them.
My 3rd baby had really bad eczema, and I wish I had the skills that I have now. I forgot how bad his skin was. I was embarrassed to show his photos. Every time we were in the store, someone would ask what was wrong with his cheeks. :(
What finally cured it was visiting the beach for a week. The moisture must have given his dry, desert skin a big drink because at 9months old, he was cured! Finally!
What Every Session Includes
A planning call, so you are prepared in advance
A complete outfit guide (if Aunt Kathy wants a photo of baby with her custom blanket, we’ll include that as well)
A timeless, stress-free session in your home— We’ll move around the house from the couch, the nursery, parents’ room, etc. We can even visit the yard if the weather cooperates.
Gallery of lightly edited photos, where you get to choose which images you want turned into wall art and a custom-designed album. You can even send gift prints to Grandma and Aunt Kathy ;)
Hello cutie!
I’ll guide the whole experience so you can just relax and enjoy your new baby and walk away with photos you’re completely in love with.
Photos and Posing: What to Expect
I will capture baby in their natural state. Sleeping, eyes open and closed, yawning, lying down, curled up, feeding time, etc.
I don’t have an extensive prop kit, and I won’t be touching your baby or positioning them. This is a gentle and natural-style session.
However, if you want to place baby in a basket you have on hand, go ahead, and I’ll take the sweetest portraits. I am very hands-off because I feel more comfortable that way.
There are plenty of photographers out there who do the “wrapped up in a ball” style photos, so I leave that style up to them.
I love baby feet! I’ll always capture tiny toes.
You can change baby into multiple outfits, bathe the baby, feed the baby, and have their sibling give kisses. I’ll capture all of these precious moments.
Feed me, Daddy.
When it comes to mom and dad, I’ll lead you so you feel comfortable, and the real connection shines through.
And, as I said above, if the day just isn’t meant to be, I understand. I am a mom of four, and we all have our good days and bad days.
This is a newborn baby-led session.
I don’t want you to feel stressed, and I don’t want to cause myself extra stress. I don’t consider myself a gentle parent— I’m Gen Z, but I am a gentle photographer.
Are you ready to book your newborn lifestyle session?
Congratulations and cheers,
Annette
Mommy and baby.
