(Un)posed Newborn Photography

Three Reasons Why I Don’t Pose Newborns

Newborns are perfect just the way they are. In my opinion, they don't need to be placed in unnatural poses, with frilly outfits, bows or props. Don't get me wrong; if that is what speaks to you, there are SO many talented photographers out there who nail this style of newborn session beautifully and tastefully. For me, it's the simplicity and rawness of those little moments when a baby is stretching after a restful nap, who is sleeping peacefully, who is comforted and feels safe by mama's warm embrace. It's the authentic connection when a mother breathes in her baby, the love you can see behind those tired eyes, and despite the lack of sleep, there is nothing that will stop her from loving her baby. There is so much depth and raw emotion when it comes to newborns. THAT is why I do what I do. My goal is to capture those little feelings and moments in images that a mom will be able to look back on and FEEL just as she did in that very moment that she stared at or held her newborn.

Here are my three top reasons why I don’t pose newborns in my sessions:

1. I focus on the SIMPLICITY of a natural newborn with his or her family.

As I mentioned before, babies are perfect just the way they are. That newborn skin, the little stretches, the yawns, the fingers wrapped around mom or dad's finger, the little facial expressions they begin to make when it's getting close to feeding time, the look of relief when they finally burp after they are fed. A mom who is so tired but sits there, in comfy maternity clothes, with a cozy blanket, rocking her baby and breathing in that sweet baby smell, a proud dad who can't help but stare in love and amazement at his beautiful wife and all she did to bring that baby into this world. A sibling who is over the moon with his/her new baby brother or sister. A handmade mobile hanging above the crib, letters that spell out baby's name on the wall, a basket full of swaddles... the details of a nursery put together with so much love and anticipation... Nursing a hungry baby and the bond that creates, or a pump somewhere in the background because sometimes nursing is just hard and we do what we can. Having a newborn is hard work, and it's exhausting, but all the beauty in between is simple and perfect. These moments are what make me want to pick up my camera. I don't need fancy props and poses to give you art that is real and portrays the raw emotion of the simple love between a family and their newborn.

2. I want this to be a STRESS FREE experience for everyone involved in the session

As a mom, I know what it's like to be exhausted. Postpartum was no joke for me! The last thing I was thinking of was doing my hair and putting on some make up. I know that every new mom has a different experience with postpartum but no matter what, I also know that if something can be made easier for you and less stressful, it is definitely a better option! For this reason, I will never ask you to put your baby down if you don't want to. I won't be trying to pose your baby to get the perfect shot while the baby is upset, because I know that I couldn't bare the thought of listening to my baby cry during those first few months (my hormones were EVERYWHERE!). Sometimes, postpartum gives you anxiety over little things you would have never imagined feeling anxiety over and that is perfectly okay! I understand this soooo much! I know that a dad is probably sleep deprived too and might not exactly be in the mood for a propped and posed photo session. It might be too stressful for parents to get their other children to cooperate if they are already feeling stressed. My point here is, we can completely avoid all of these things! I want this to be a stress-free and easy experience for you and your family. Take the time I am in your home to relax and enjoy your new baby. Cuddle him or her during a nap, breathe in that sweet baby smell. Or maybe you need a quick break and a moment to yourself. I'll capture dad's little moments with baby, sibling's little moments, or simply, a little moment of that sweet baby catching some z's.

3. SAFETY is a priority during my sessions.

In my honest opinion, I don't think that newborn posing is safe. If a baby has to be shaped and molded into an unnatural position, their safety is being put at risk. You can be at ease knowing I have your baby's safety in mind during a photo session. There won't be any unnatural poses happening, and I won't ask you to put your baby down for an extended period of time. The minimal “posing” I do during a session, is 100% baby led. This means that, I may lay a baby on his or her tummy for a specific shot I have in mind, but if he/she is not having it, I will not force it for the sake of the shot. If a baby wants to be held by mama the entire session, that is perfectly fine too. I believe newborns should be held as much as possible. With a degree in Early Childhood Development, I could go on and on, making this whole thing about child development and how a baby's brain works. There is sooooo much going on inside that tiny, little mind. This is a time when babies are learning how to trust and feel safe. For this reason, and many others, I strongly believe that a newborn baby should be held safely in mom or dad's arms as much as possible. This is also a time, for breastfeeding mothers, where she and baby are working hard to establish a healthy nursing experience. For some moms, this proves to be extremely difficult, as it was for me, and I wouldn't do anything to intervene with this process.

There you have it! My top 3 reasons why I don't pose newborns. They are simply perfect and beautiful just the way they are!

To inquire about a newborn session, click here.