Tipful Tuesday | Why I don’t do posed newborn sessions | At-Home Studio Newborn

NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT ALL ABOUT POSING

Within the last two years I went through a big identity shift for my newborn work. I still photographed a few sessions in a more classic, posed manner, but at the same time I realized that more than perfect curly pose I preferred to capture the moments which tell the story. The story of joy, intimacy, and unconditional love.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against posed newborn photography. I see the beauty and creativity of it, but it just doesn’t bring me joy when creating. I don’t feel inspired by it. It feels perfect, sometimes too perfect, not like real life almost. If you enjoy this style of newborn photography, that is great! I have a list of referrals ready to hand out to those of you who prefer the posed newborn look. That is just something I personally choose not to do.

THE ART OF MY NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY IS FOCUSED ON THE PURE PERFECTION OF A NEWBORN BABY

This past year alone was a journey from researching funny hats and baskets to simple swaddling (which I am still trying to learn how to master), to appreciate the fragility and perfection of a newborn baby on its own. It’s a brave thing to do, to throw out of the frame all the props, and just focus on all those tiny features, “the unposed” curl ups and not so perfect stretches.

What I saw in the beginning as a fault in the art of newborn photography, now is just the thing I learned to appreciate, because these tiny gestures are the first visible signs of human personality. These are the things that won’t stop amazing you as a mother years after your little one was born. Just one look back at the picture and you say: yes, that’s exactly how you wrinkled your forehead and that stubborn look, you didn’t loose it at all and you’re almost 20 now.

NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY IS MORE THAN A POSE AND THAT’S WHY I DON’T POSE BABIES.

I let them stretch their bodies or curl up safely in their Mama’s arms. I let them be themselves and lead me where they want to be. I want to see and capture this beautiful bond between the baby and the parents. I want to show the beauty, uniqueness and the prefect imperfection of the new beginning. I want you to remember how it felt to hold a newborn in your arms, the smell of their skin, the strong grasp of their palm, and everything in between. I truly believe that looking at the photographs is one of the very few things that help to take you back in time.

Below is a recent newborn session that I had in my little studio room in my home. Brianna Vanhook has been such a wonderful friend, allowing me to create with her little family. I truly appreciate The VanHooks so very much. Meet Annabelle, the sweetest 4 day old baby I had the honor to work with. <3