If you’re a new parent or even a seasoned parent considering professional newborn photography, you’ve probably heard a lot of conflicting information regarding it. From concerns about how safe it is to assumptions about how babies “should” behave during a session, there are plenty of myths surrounding newborn photography industry.
As a professional newborn photographer, I often tend to hear these questions and concerns from expecting parents. The truth is that many of the things people believe about newborn photography are just completely inaccurate.
It’s my goal today to clear up some of some of the most common myths about newborn photography so you can make a completely informed decision about whether or not a newborn session is right for you. Let’s get to it!
Myth #1: Newborn Photography Just Isn’t Safe
This could possibly be the biggest misconception of all.
Newborn photography, when performed by a PROFESSIONAL and EXPERIENCED newborn photographer, is designed with safety being the number one TOP priority. Professional newborn photographers spend tons and tons hours learning safe posing techniques, newborn anatomy, newborn behavior, and how to recognize signs of any sort of discomfort or stress. We are constantly looking for cues during the session from our tiny clients.
Many of the poses you see are achieved with assisted support, advanced editing, or modifications based on each baby’s needs and comfort level.
A newborn photographer with years of experience will never, ever force a baby into a pose and will always prioritize baby’s safety and well-being over getting a coveted image, even if they know it’s a specific pose that was requested. Most photographers do not guarantee specific poses for this exact reason.
Myth #2: All Babies Can Do Every Pose
Just an FYI – Every newborn is a teeny tiny human and each one is completely different from the next!
Every newborn is different – Some babies are naturally flexible and sleepy, while others tend to stay stretched out or awake during their session. Why is this the case? Factors such as pregnancy positioning, medical conditions, birthing experience, age and physical temperament can all have a factor on what poses are comfortable and suitable for each newborn.
Professional newborn photography is not about making every baby do a checklist of factory pose – it’s about creating images that each family will cherish forever while working with each individual baby’s needs.
For me, each session is baby led while also having a workflow I stick to ensure sessions stay in track and baby is safe and comfortable.
Myth #3: Your Baby Has to Sleep the Entire Session
This is one thing I know that newer photographers think needs to happen to ensure they can get through a session. Also, many parents worry that their newborn won’t cooperate if they are awake for part or all of the session.
In reality, awake newborn images can be just a beautiful and coveted as the sleepy images. While sleepy and content newborn does allow for more posed setups, alert and awake newborns can give you some of the best and most memorable images. Getting that rare straight eyed stare or that sleepy wide-eyed yawn is an amazing feat!
An experienced newborn photographer knows how to work through a session whether the baby is sound asleep, stays awake, or alternates between both. There should always be multiple plans in place for these occasions. With that being said though, there’s a difference between a content awake baby and a crying, uncomfortable baby. When taking awake images, baby should be content and safely contained as they do tend to move around more when awake. If baby is awake and crying and seems uncomfortable then this is not the time to take images, this is the time to soothe and see what baby needs.
Perfect newborn photos don’t require a perfectly sleeping baby but they do require a photographer who is aware and knowledgeable of every situation. .
Myth #4: Newborn Photography Is Only for the Baby
While newborn photography usually focuses the most on the newest and smallest family member, parent and sibling images often are some of the most cherished of the whole session.
These type of poses capture the emotion and love that the early days of parenthood are all about.
There are many parents that hesitate or decline to be photographed because they’re exhausted (totally understandable), recovering from birth, or don’t feel any sort of camera ready. I know it can be hard to think about having to be in front of the camera after this huge happening in your life but as I always say, you do not get this time back. You can’t rewind. I know it’s hard but get yourself in front of the camera with your sweet baby, don’t regret not doing it. Years later, the parents that hesitated but then decided to just do it often tell me those images became their favorites.
Remember – Your baby will never again be this small, don’t miss out on remembering.
Myth #5: I Can Wait a Few Months and get still “Newborn” Photos
While baby images can be taken at any age, newborn photography is extremely unique because it captures a stage that literally only lasts a few weeks.
All those curled-up poses, their teeny tiny fingers, flaky newborn skin, and super sleepy stretches disappear very quickly in those first weeks as they grow.
Most posed newborn photography sessions take place within the first two to three weeks after birth because babies are still naturally sleepy and curl into the positions they were accustomed to while inside their mother’s womb. As newborns begin to grow and the days and weeks pass they become less curled, less flexible, more alert, more awake, and obviously much bigger. The newborn stage technically ends around the 7 week mark and crosses over into the infant stage.
Waiting a few months means you miss out of the actual newborn phase of their life to capturing a whole different milestone entirely.
Myth #6: Newborn Sessions Are Stressful for Parents
A lot of what I hear after a session is “I expected that to be stressful as I didn’t think my baby would cooperate”. Many parents expect newborn photography sessions to feel overwhelming as they worry about how their new baby is going to respond to doing a newborn session.
In reality, a well-planned newborn session is often one of the most relaxing experiences new parents have during those early weeks. True story!
Professional newborn photographers typically allow ample time for feeding, soothing, diaper changes, and lots of needed snuggles. These sessions are baby led and move at the baby’s pace, not a strict schedule.
My goal is to have parents use the session as an opportunity to sit back, relax (probably for the first time in a long time), and simply watch their new baby be professionally cared for and photographed.
Myth #7: Newborn Photography Is Just Taking Pictures
For sure, anyone can take a pic of a new baby. Most have advanced phones, most have some sort of camera BUT professional newborn photography involves much more.
Think it’s just point the camera and shoot? Not even close!! Behind every finished image are extensive knowledge in lighting, newborn posing, safety, composition, editing, baby handling, anatomy and the ability to create a calm environment for both baby and family.
The goal of newborn photography isn’t simply to document what your new baby looked like – it’s to create images that are like artwork that tells the story of your growing family and gives you memories that become more valuable with each passing year.
Myth #8: Every Newborn Session Looks the Same
For me, every client gets a personalized, beautifully curated experience tailored to each family.
From colors and props to styling preferences, every session is customized to create the most beautiful images possible that tailor to each family.
Each newborn photographer creates a different experience with their own unique styles. Whether you love simple, neutral images or more elaborate setups, your newborn gallery should feel unique to your family and have the artful tag of the newborn photographer that was chosen not identical to someone else’s.
Why Professional Newborn Photography Matters
The newborn stage is literally the shortest and fastest-changing period of childhood and beyond. Sleepless nights, feeding schedules, and adjusting to life with a new baby, those first few weeks often pass in a blink of an eye and are mostly a blur.
Having a baby? Be sure to follow me over on Instagram for all my most recent work! www.Instagram.com/threejsphotography
