Newborn Photos - No Props Involved

Why My Newborn Sessions Won't Have Props | Sarasota Newborn Photographer

If you have been following me for any length of time, you know when I first started my photography business, I was only shooting newborns using the posed style - you know, the baskets, bowls, buckets, posing bag, wraps, etc.  Because, I thought that was the only way you could photograph newborns - all in those perfect, curled up, sleeping poses. Since I didn't and still don't have a studio, I was constantly lugging all of that equipment with me to each of my client's homes.  It would take me about 3 - 4 trips back and forth to the car to bring everything in. Then, of course, I had to allow time to set everything up as well as pack everything back up and make another 3 - 4 trips back and forth to the car after the shoot. Whew!

Then, I discovered the wonderful beauty of lifestyle photography. What a lifesaver and timesaver. It was also such a relief to not have to perfectly pose a baby. I found out photographing your newborn doesn't have to be perfect. Life is real and that's how it should be photographed for your newborn and family. Letting them just be themselves.

So, this is why I no longer use props broken down as follows:

1. Perfectly Imperfect

I love just laying a baby on the bed (or in Covid times, asking the parents to lay their baby on the bed) and let them just do what they do naturally - those cute little baby stretches, yawning, crying, This is what I call baby-led posing. The baby is in control.

Or, you holding your baby as you normally would curled up against your chest as you look at him/her smiling, kissing their head or toes. I believe your baby belongs in your arms and not in some basket trying to get the perfect, curled up pose. ​

2. Props and Awkward Posing

When I used to do posed newborn photoshoots, it could be very time-consuming (photoshoots could take 2 - 3 hours), very stressful trying to get the baby to sleep, or curling them up in the basket just right. Don't get me wrong. Newborn photographers who do posed photography are wonderful. More power to them. I just felt it wasn't working for me any longer and I really loved capturing newborns in their natural, raw state and connecting with their parents and siblings in a more natural way. Your baby loves being in your arms and the parents love it just as much. This is a much more stress-free photoshoot for all involved, especially your baby.

3. Props Take Away the Focus From Your Baby

You all have seen, I'm sure, the posed newborn photos where they are wearing these enormous flower wreath headbands or are in a basket filled with fluff and flowers surrounding the basket, or the baby "hanging" in a basket or wrap of some sort (usually these are composites so the baby is always safe) or posed in the popular "froggy" pose. In those type of photos, what do you see first? That's right. Most likely the prop before you even really see the baby at all. This, in my opinion, diminishes the focus on your baby. I love capturing your son or daughter just as they are everyday and not have all those other distractions in their photos.

4. Capturing Your Newborn and Family in Real Life

When the mother, the father and any siblings are surrounding the new baby, it's a beautiful sight. It's so loving as well as relaxing because everyone is just being themselves, laughing, having fun together, loving on one another - real life, true connection. I have a quote on the Newborn page of my website that reads, "Real life is more attractive than picture-perfect."  This is so true.

This is why I do not use props anymore because I found that they are no longer necessary in order to create and capture amazing photographs of your newborn and family.

You can see more of my lifestyle newborn photography on my newborn gallery page.
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​Patti specializes in capturing memories with lifestyle Maternity, Newborn and Family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Schedule A Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. Patti only takes a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  She hopes so and looks forward to hearing from you soon.

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