Newborn Photos Don’t Have to Look Like a Newborn Photo Shoot

When you hear “newborn photography”, you may picture a sleepy baby wrapped up perfectly, sitting in a little basket, surrounded by props.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But that’s not the only way to photograph a new baby.

Sometimes the most meaningful newborn photos aren’t the ones where everyone is perfectly posed and looking at the camera. They’re the ones where mom is holding her new baby close. Where big sister is completely fascinated by those tiny fingers. Where dad is looking down at his baby instead of at the camera. Where the whole family is together, exactly as they are in that moment.

Because your newborn session isn’t really just about the baby.

It’s about your family becoming a family of four or five or six.

It’s about remembering what your older children looked like when they became big brothers or sisters. It’s about remembering how tiny your baby really was. And it’s about remembering you during that season, too.

Your Newborn Session Can Look Different

There isn’t one right way to photograph your newborn.

For some families, that may mean a cozy studio session with soft, simple portraits.

For others, it may be an outdoor session where we let your family move around naturally.

And yes, sometimes it may even mean taking your newborn to the beach.

Living here on the Gulf Coast gives us a pretty amazing backdrop, and I love the idea of combining those beautiful coastal surroundings with something so personal as welcoming a new baby into your family.

You don’t have to choose between beautiful newborn pictures and meaningful family photos. We can do both.

And Your Older Kids Are Part Of This Too

One of my favorite things about newborn sessions is watching the older siblings.

They might be excited.

They might be unsure.

They might want to hold the baby for three seconds before they are ready to go do something else.

Thats ok!

I don’t expect your children to sit perfectly still and smile on command for an hour.

We’ll let them be kids.

Some of my favorite images come from the moments in between the “everybody look at the camera” photos. A big sister giving her baby brother a kiss, little hands touching tiny feet, or a child climbing into mom's lap because they need attention, too.

Those are the moments that tell the story of your family.

You Don’t Have To Know How To Pose

If the thought of getting in front of a camera makes you nervous, you're not alone.

You don’t have to know what to do with your hands.

You don’t have to be a model.

I’ll guide you when you need direction, but I also want you to interact with your family and your baby. The goal isn’t to make your family look like someone else’s family.

It’s to photograph Your Family.

The Baby Won’t Stay This Little

This is probably the biggest reason I Love newborn photography.

Everyone tells you how quicky it goes, and when you're in the middle of the sleepless nights and diaper changes, it can be hard to believe them.

But they really do change so quickly.

Those tiny fingers.

The little rolls.

The way they fit perfectly against your chest.

The way your older child looks at them for the first time.

Those things are temporary.

Photos let you keep a little piece of that season.

And years from now, I don’t think you’ll care whether every strand of your hair was perfect or whether your toddler sat still for the entire session.

You’ll care that you were there.

They you were in the photos.

That your babies were little.

That your family was together.

And thats what I want your newborn session to give you.

Not perfect pictures.

Your family, exactly as you were.