Did you know I have a typical workflow that I go through with each baby? And that every pose has a name? Well I do, and you’re about to find out! I’ve been wanting to write this blog post for a while to direct clients to when discussing setups and poses that they like or don’t like so I can plan best for the session.

Newborn sessions usually last between 2 and 4 hours. I try to cram as many different poses and setups into each session, but I usually have to pick and choose (or have mom tell me what her favorites are). Below are photos and examples with names of what types of things I do at newborn sessions!

Something else to note: There are variations of the same pose with minor tweaks to hands/feet/add a wrap or hat etc that will change the look without having to move babe too much and wake them. Once baby is in a pose, I also get many different angles so your final gallery is full of variety!

Not every baby will do every pose. I will try a pose 3 times and if baby is not having it, I don’t force it. Baby safety and comfort is my #1 priority. I’ve been doing this a long time and have seen babies in all shapes, sizes and varying levels of flexibility. I go with the flow and let baby dictate what all we do.

I’m going to break this subject into 2 so I don’t have 1 giant blog post that no one wants to read all the way through. The first post will be dealing with beanbag poses on fabric backdrops. Part 2 will go over props, families and siblings and baby led setups!

I would love your feedback and if you have questions, please leave them in the comments!

Tushy Up Pose:

I almost *always* start with this one because babies love it, they feel secure because their arms are held in place by their body weight. If baby isn’t quite all the way asleep when I put them in this pose, they often drift off soon afterward.

Taco Pose:

From Tushy Up I usually transition them to Taco. Some babies are more flexible than others, so this pose can look different depending on the baby. This pose is also sometimes referred to as “Womb Pose” because many babies are curled up like this with their feet near their face inside mama’s belly.

Side Lying:

After Taco I will usually un-curl their legs from under them and go into a side lying position with their back hand under their cheek. I can shoot it from two different angles (Straight on: pictured right. Or from the side with their body out of focus: pictured left)

Forward Facing / Chin on wrists:

This one is a favorite of mine and I love dressing it up with hats and bonnets! Sometimes babies don’t love their elbows being brought forward like this and they want to bring them back closer to their bodies. Gentle pressure behind their elbows along with a rocking motion usually helps me get them into this pose.

 

Froggy Pose:

This is one that I don’t always get during the session. I’ll try it 3 times and if baby fusses, I won’t push it. The biggest problem is not the flexibility, but the hands. Most babies like to ball their little fists and this pose looks best with flat fingers. Even baby on the right has her left hand curled more than I like. But this is a fun one to use bonnets with too!

Nighty Night Pose:

LOVE this one! And babies usually tolerate it very well as long as their legs are supported underneath so they don’t feel like they are falling. It really highlights their sweet little faces. I will sometimes add a little teddy bear they wrap their arm around.

Sandra Hill Wrap:

This one is good for awake babies because I can wrap their legs and arms so they aren’t flailing around and still get a sweet image. I try to wait for them to look right at the camera. I will talk to them so they follow my voice. It’s called the Sandra Wrap because of the photographer I mentored with in Canada. This is one of her signatures!

Egg wrap:

It’s no secret that babies love to be swaddled. This one is great for making them feel secure, but still showing off their little arms, legs, feet and hands! And face (of course)! I love adding the “waterfall” detail of the fabric flowing behind baby for a unique look.

Macro shots:

I usually grab all my close up images while baby is in the egg wrap! It works perfectly for keeping them secure and happy while I get alllll the precious baby details.

Ok so that’s it for the first post! These are all done on my beanbag made specifically for newborn photographers! What are your favorite poses?? Drop me a line in the comments!