Newborn sessions are one of the most precious things you can offer to new parents. Babies change rapidly over those first few weeks, and parents want to hang onto as many details as possible. Because these portraits are so important, it’s crucial that you go into every photo session feeling completely prepared. Remember, you’re going to be in control here because your subject isn’t going to be much help when it comes to thinking through different poses and preferred styles! If you’re wanting to be completely prepared for your session, you’ve come to the right place. We have put together a quick guide with some of the best newborn baby photoshoot ideas to try in your next session! 

Our Favorite Newborn Baby Photoshoot Ideas for You to Try!

image credit: Marie Elizabeth Photography

Wrapped Baby

Depending on how your adorable little subject is feeling, you may want to start out your newborn baby photoshoot by wrapping them. Keep in mind newborns are constantly trying to find the security they had inside the womb. Wraps warm them up while making them feel nice and secure. 

Once your baby is wrapped, you can do a variety of individual poses. With the light coming in from the side, try a few angles of them on the beanbag, where you’re ever so slightly shooting from the top to the bottom. You can use two posing beans (one beneath the baby’s bum and the other beneath their head). Once you have them positioned, get some micro shots of their heads as well as all their adorable features, including their hands, lips, and hair. From here, you can gently pull their hands out from the wrap, place them beneath their chin, and get an angelic portrait. 

Beanbag

Posing beanbags are one of the most invaluable tools and ideas builders for a newborn baby photoshoot. These bags have the dual purpose of providing the baby with a cozy space to lay as well as letting you customize nearly every aspect of your shoot, including the background and the lighting. We tend to use several layers of blankets on top of our bag including a waterproof baby blanket on top. 

For additional newborn baby photoshoot ideas, you can add posing beans beneath the blankets so you can pose the baby without bothering them. You can start them out on the beanbag with under-the-blanket poses that let them feel nice and snug. For this, you can gently pull the wrap off from around the baby and place the ends of the wrap inside their hands. Posing beans right under the baby’s hands will help them curl their fingers and keep the wrap in place. From there, you can try out womb poses, side-lying poses, and bum-up poses. 

image credit: Danielle Hobbs Photography

Individuals With Parents

Talk ahead of time to the parents and figure out which poses they want. Some moms love having pictures of nursing sessions, which doubles as a great way to keep the baby happy. Backlit lighting is best for these, and you can pose them in a chair or a couch. 

While the baby is still on the beanbag, maybe try a backlit side picture of the mom looking down on the baby. You can have pictures that show either Mom or Dad with their hands on the baby so you can show off how perfectly teensy they are. Once the baby is off the beanbag, try to move them as little as possible so you can keep them content. Have backlit pictures from the side with Mom looking down at the baby in her cupped arms. Switch up the angle and take a picture from the top of the baby’s head. 

Incorporate Dad by resting the baby’s head on his chest as he holds Mom’s hands. You can move the baby into Mom’s elbow and have Dad help her hold them. Be sure to include some pictures with just Dad and the baby. You can replicate the angle with him holding the baby perpendicular to his body. 

Family

If you are incorporating toddlers, prompt ideas are going to be your best friend in your newborn baby photoshoot. The baby is kind of your captive audience here. Now, you have to focus on keeping the siblings entertained. Find brand new ways to make them laugh while sneaking in poses. Have Dad hold the toddler behind the baby and ask the toddler to catch Mom and make sure she doesn’t run away for a family hug picture. Have one of the parents hold the toddler and bounce them on their hip. We personally love asking Dad to count their ribs. 

During this cute tickle session, you’re bound to get some great pics. When they are feeling particularly restless, pose them in front of Mom or Dad and have them hold their fingers. Dare the kids to sneak a side hug to their parents or try our favorite: the jiggle hug. During this one, you will have every member of the family embrace each other before trying to jiggle each other. 

image credit: Danielle Hobbs Photography

Siblings

Toddlers tend to really love the beanbag, and it’s a great way to let them safely get near the baby during your newborn photoshoot. Give toddlers lots of choices so they can feel like they’re in control here. While the baby is still swaddled, have the older sibling lie on the beanbag and place the baby by their side. You can also lay the baby with their head resting on a posing bean and have the older sibling looking down at them or kissing their head.

After that, try a picture from the side with the baby's head turned toward you and the sibling’s face gently resting on top. If you have a couch, you can also have the older sibling sit on it and rest the wrapped baby in their arms. Just make sure you have Mom or Dad nearby for this one!

Want to Learn More Newborn Baby Photoshoot Ideas?

If you found this guide to be helpful, then we have just the site for you! We’re a trio of photographers, and we started The Motherhood Anthology so we could partner with others and help them grow their businesses. We have worked with some of our favorites in the industry to bring you engaging lessons, thorough tutorials, behind-the-scenes videos, templates, presets, and more. We have tons of options to give you fresh newborn baby photoshoot ideas for sessions, including wrapping tutorials and lighting guides.

Plus, your membership grants you exclusive access to our Facebook group, where you can connect with other photographers who are eager to help you grow your business. Want to find out more about our program? Then click on over so you can find out how to sign up for a membership to The Motherhood Anthology!

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