Newborns are magical! From birth to 3 months old, they grow, learn, and change so much. It’s a new challenge to capture their ever-evolving faces and personalities.
New parents often find themselves wondering what they will do with their newborn in a studio setting. In this article I will give you some ideas and research to help prepare you for a newborn shoot.
20 Studio Photoshoot Ideas for Newborn
1. Newborn Session with Mommy and Daddy
This is another great example of capturing the bond between parents and their baby. It’s a beautiful opportunity to freeze the loving moment between mother and child during that first precious time after birth. The bond between parents is new and exciting. It’s the perfect way to capture that special feeling of the transition into parenthood. It’s also nice to document a few photos of the baby on its own during the session.
2. Newborn Session in Daddy’s Arms
New Dad’s aren’t often the subjects of family photos. It is important to capture this special time with your newborn during a session. Father’s that love being around their children will enjoy this type of session tremendously!
3. Newborn Sleeping In Their Own Space
For parents that are breastfeeding, it can be a challenge to find time to get out for a photo session. Newborns sleep so much of the day that it may be difficult to get through an entire session. It’s important to capture these beautiful moments while you can.
4. Newborn Lifestyle Session
It’s important to document your baby’s life from a newborn through the first year. Lifestyle session can help you do that. These types of sessions are casual and stress-free. Babies may not be smiling and laughing but that’s ok! Just keep them happy, fed, and comfortable as possible. You can always ask parents to interact with the baby during the session too!
5. Newborn Photoshoot in a Grey/White Background
Keeping the background simple is a great way to simplify your session. You can also add additional props during the course of the session.
6. Newborn Photography Sessions with Grandparents
Newborn sessions can be a great opportunity to capture memories with your family in a creative setting! If you have grandparents nearby, they are an ideal candidate for a newborn shoot as well.
7. Cuddly Toys
This is an adorable way to capture your newborn’s sweet personality. The toys can be a fun way to help your baby fall asleep, which can be difficult especially in new surroundings. Cuddy toys can also be used as a prop during the session.
8. Newborn with Blanket or Printed Fabric
A cozy blankie can be a favorite object for baby and it’s another great prop to help your newborn fall asleep during the session.
9.White Background
It’s adorable to have a white background to showcase the baby’s head against. It also gives a sense of calmness and warmth. White background can be effective for those photographers who are just starting out in newborn photography or for those who may have a small studio.
10. Baby in a Box
A simple box can be a great way to establish a set. A box is just another prop that’s easy to move around during the session. It can also be used for clothing changes, feedings, and other important moments. You can even use the box as a prop to embrace those adorable baby feet!
11. Baby in the bathtub
You can use a small bathtub or sink for this one. Fill up your bathroom sink or bath tub with warm water and go to town. Make sure to have towels on hand to dry baby off after that cold water wraps around their body.. You can also add some flowers or other props around the tub for extra decoration.
12. Baby in a quilt
Quilts are one of the most versatile pieces of furniture around! They can be used on their own, or lay the baby down amongst them for a beautiful photo session. You can also use quilts with other fabrics for extra style points!
13. Baby in a basket of fruit
A vintage staple. The colors of the fruits are great for any theme and can be arranged in a variety of ways to suit your style. A simple basket can be used for this as well, but using a more decorative basket will really bring out the colors.
14. Baby in an old fashioned high chair
Think of the vintage charm this brings! There are many different styles of high chairs out there, so find one that matches your theme and go to town.
15. Baby with a sibling
If you have other children, include them in the photoshoot! They can help make your baby feel comfortable and add some extra cuteness to the photos. It may be hard to work the older sibling (or siblings) into your photoshoot, but it’s definitely worth it. You can get shots of their faces or full body shots as they interact with baby.
16. Baby in a hat
Your baby can have their first fashion moment with a simple hat. If you have more than one theme going on, this is worth investing in.
17. Baby in a basket of flowers
This is one of the most beautiful options for springtime newborn shoots. Use a basket or container filled with any type of flowers for your theme.
18. Newborn Photoshoot with a Warm Blanket
A warm blanket can be a great prop because it’s comfortable and can be used to keep your baby occupied. A blankie or two would be another great way to keep your baby entertained during their newborn photography session! This is a great option for those photographers who are just starting out or looking for a simple, classic approach.
19. Baby in a sweater
It’s efficient to be able to photograph the baby completely covered up as opposed to exposing their arms and hands. All you need is a plain sweater that’s not too itchy and the baby will look great.
20. Newborn Photoshoot with a Teddy Bear
Teddy bears are a classic gift at birth! They are also adorable props to keep your baby happy. A teddy bear is an inexpensive prop that can be moved around during the course of the session. This is also a great way to give grandmas and others who help care for your baby something special to remember their little one’s arrival.
Tips for a Great Newborn Session Photo Studio
If you want to be the best and most creative newborn photographer, consider these tips:
1. Get organized
Before your photoshoot, take some time to plan out what you want to do. Gather any props or backdrops you need and have them ready to go.
2. Keep it simple
When it comes to newborn photography, less is often more. Avoid using too many props or busy backdrops. Instead, focus on capturing the natural beauty of your baby.
3. Have patience
Newborns can be unpredictable, so it’s important to have patience during your photoshoot. If your baby gets fussy or won’t cooperate, take a break and try again later.
4.Have a great theme
The theme of your session should be fun! A classic approach is to have an outdoor photo shoot at sunset. You can also take your baby to the beach or other great outdoorsy locations. There are lots of things you can do to make the theme your own!
5. Plan the session around their schedule
Your baby is going to be sleepy, awake and a lot more in between! This means that you will have specific times that are good for shoots and should stick to those times as much as you can. You don’t want to rush the moment because you have to meet a deadline or because you don’t have time. A good rule of thumb is to plan your session according to their nap schedule!
6. Know your camera settings
Know your camera settings, and understand that you can alter them to fit your needs. Whether you prefer natural lighting or the bright, bright sun, you can adjust your settings. It’s a good idea to take a newborn photography course with a professional or even use one of the online courses to give you some ideas for your sessions.
7. Look for props that work well
Consider what your baby loves and what would make them comfortable during their session. Any little thing would be a good prop to use. A blanket, teddy bear, or doll is an excellent idea to start with.
8.Get creative with angles.
Newborns are particularly photogenic and they are also a good way to experiment with angles. You can also incorporate props and other objects into the picture to add more interest to your photos.
Conclusion
Newborn photography is a wonderful experience. Whether you’re new to newborn photos or you are a seasoned photographer, you can still have fun with these ideas. The key to newborn photography is the way it turns out. That is why it’s important to test out your ideas before the actual session so that you can iron out any difficulties you might face or work towards perfecting technique.
