You’re faced with a million decisions when having a baby. From how and where to give birth, to what clothes to buy, to how to decorate the nursery. Choosing a photographer and a style of newborn photography is another one of these decisions; lifestyle, natural, or posed. This blog will help you to determine which one is right for you and your baby.
When you think of newborn images, posed images are probably what comes to mind. Posed newborn photography is typically held in a studio and allows the tiny details of your newborn to be emphasised in an artistic way using props, poses, and styling.
The predominant focus of a posed newborn session is your baby. Posed newborn photography allows you to express your creativity by selecting the colours and props that you prefer.
When compared to a lifestyle shoot, a posed newborn session takes longer because of the intricate posing that requires the baby to be asleep for the majority of the session. To take the most flattering pictures of the baby's sweet chubby cheeks, lips, lashes, and small fingers and toes, posed newborn photographers should have had extensive training in baby positioning and lighting. Editing is carried out after the session to reduce redness, eliminate dry skin flakes, and balance out skin tones.
Although the baby is the main focus of posed sessions, family, sibling, and parent photos are often also included towards the end of the session. If you're interested in posed newborn photography, I highly recommend that you thoroughly research potential photographers and ensure that they have received the necessary training in safe newborn posing techniques and studio practices.
I highly recommend looking for a photographer who has a certificate from The Academy of Newborn Photography (ANP). ANP has a unique online course that provides photographers with crucial training on newborn health, and workplace health and safety. The course also provides an in-depth look at the perinatal and neonatal periods of a baby's development, with compulsory completion of infant first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training.
Lifestyle photography, alternatively referred to as at-home newborn photography, is informal and unposed to capture organic, candid moments of you and your child cuddling up in the warmth of your own home. Think of it as a photo documentary that captures your life at that moment. Due to this, photographs will be captured in a natural environment without additional lighting or backdrops which give your images a more personal and meaningful feel.
Rather than the main focus being the baby, the session focuses on the family and welcoming the newest member. Lifestyle photoshoots can be much quicker than posed newborn sessions, as they don’t require the baby to be asleep, and require limited posing. This also means that the photographer doesn't require any training in newborn posing as typically they won't position the baby, which opens this type of photography up to all photographers. The photographer will typically look about your home to find the greatest light first, and then they will give you instructions on how to stand, sit, or interact to get the best shots.
My tip for you in a lifestyle newborn photography session is for you to remain relaxed and to be yourself. This includes wearing clothing that you feel comfortable in, which is one of the biggest benefits of having a photoshoot in your own home, alongside your photographs having a homely feel. Due to this, a lifestyle newborn photoshoot is great for families that want the focus to be on the family, rather than predominantly on the baby.
Natural newborn photography is similar to lifestyle photography, in the way that the session is baby-led and organic but focuses heavily on the baby. The baby is photographed without props or accessories and is a great style if you are looking for a simpler style of newborn photography.
The session will often happen at a newborn photography studio; think of soft white walls, knit outfits, and minimal colours, giving the images a timeless feel. Your baby poses themselves by stretching and getting comfortable on a soft beanbag. High-quality white wraps may be used to snuggle your little one into a comfy position. Natural lighting within the studio is used, creating a calming and gentle atmosphere; the natural light is perfect for capturing the delicate tones in the baby’s skin.
If you're thinking of a natural newborn photography session, I recommend wearing natural clothing that you feel comfortable in. You'll be able to relax at the studio and get the most out of the studio experience while your photos will retain a timeless feel.
Newborn photography sessions usually take place in a studio, or within your home. However, an outdoor newborn photography session is perfect for a family that prefers nature; an outdoor newborn photographer will capture candid shots of you and your newborn in a picturesque setting outdoors.
Outdoor newborn photo shoots are similar to lifestyle sessions, in the way that the sessions are organic, unposed, and focus on the family welcoming the baby. You can often agree on a location with the photographer if you have somewhere in mind, but they will also have their own experiences and spots they've found that have worked well before.
My Tips for an Outside Newborn Session:
As with any art form, newborn photography is subjective to what you prefer. You need to ask yourself which style you prefer and whether you like the classic, posed newborn images best, or the relaxed, natural ones. Another good question to ask yourself is if you prefer clean, white studio backdrops, or real-life at-home scenes. If you're interested in both natural newborn sessions and posed newborn photos, think about selecting a photographer who offers both!
I remind you that the beautiful images from your newborn session will be part of your family for many years to come. You and your little one will be photographed from all the right angles that we know you’d most like to treasure – from those tiny yawns to those deep
looks of love. Therefore, it's important that you choose a photographer for the style they offer and what they are best at.
I also want to make sure that you're not swayed by discounted services because these photographs are a treasured heirloom memory for your family. You should take your time in making this decision and consider where and how you want to display your photographs and what will look good in your space. Spend some time researching each photographer and style, and consider your emotional connection to the style. Some styles may resonate with you on a deeper level, evoking certain emotions or capturing the essence of your newborn in a way that feels authentic to you.
At Before Time Flies, my style leans towards posed newborn photography as I love the creative outlet it provides, and I love creating unique setups for each baby! However, I do shoot natural sessions in a section of the studio, shot by the window, to create a more natural feel. I begin with the individual newborn photographs, which are posed fine art images, followed by a mixture of natural poses on the beanbag, and for the family portion of the session.
As a newborn photographer that specialises in posed, fine art shots, I typically suggest scheduling the session during the baby's first five to fifteen days of life. This is because to get those signature poses, the baby still needs to be sleepy and able to curl up. Posing them and keeping them sleeping gets harder as they get older.
It mostly depends on your preferences and how well you are recovering after giving birth for lifestyle and documentary newborn photoshoots, rather than the age of the baby. If you’ve been looking for a fine art newborn photographer who offers a luxury photography experience while creating timeless images and heirloom art for you as a nostalgic mom, I would love to connect with you and begin planning your dream session!
To book your newborn photoshoot with me, please get in touch through this Contact Form. Please remember that you don't have to be sure what you're looking for yet. Let's have a chat to figure out what's best for you and your baby. I will take a look at my availability around your due date and arrange a call with you where we can discuss your questions and any concerns you may have.
Molly Ann of Before Time Flies is a certified newborn photographer from The Academy of Newborn Photography (ANP) and is first-aid certified too. Further to this, Molly completed a two-day newborn posing training course with Maddy Rogers, a specialist trainer, and ANP leading figure in the newborn photography industry. Maddy is the only newborn photographer accredited with the National Photographic Society as a Safe Posing Advisor, so you can rest assured that Molly knows safe poses, as well as what to do in an emergency, understanding situations and how to handle them.