5 Props I Use in Every Newborn Session

As a studio newborn photographer, my style is all about minimalistic setups and focusing on your baby! Your baby is perfect just as they are, and I don't want to distract from that in your portraits.  I use neutral colors and natural textures to create a clean, timeless, organic look in your baby's first portraits. To create these natrual setups, I do use a few props. Today, I’m sharing 5 props I use in (almost) every newborn session. Many of these props blend right in and you don't notice them at first glance (like the wooden crate and the bowl) because your eye is drawn right to the newborn baby.

Swaddle.  

This is a must-have for every newborn photographer, and the first thing you learn when posing newborns is how to wrap the baby snugly so that their arms and legs don't wiggle out of the wrap.  The swaddle keeps them calm and happy, and it helps them feel secure.  This plus heat and white noise or a shusher app all come together to lull the baby to sleep and make it easy to pose the little one.  I like to use what I call "baby spanx" underneath the swaddle to keep baby extra snug, plus it makes it easy for me to change out the top layer for a new look while baby stays calm and happy while all tucked in.

White crate.

I start all my individual portraits with this one prop!  I like to layer it with whites and creams for neutral portraits, and then as the session goes on, I will add in colors through additional wraps, bump blankets, and layers.  I typically begin with the baby fully swaddled, and then I bring out their arms and flip them to their bellies once they're settled into a deep sleep.

Wooden bowl.

From there we move to the wooden bowl!  I love the round shape of it for overhead shots, and these always look so beautiful printed on our round wooden wall art pieces.  I also like surrounding the bowl with greenery or florals to accentuate the shape, plus it works well for posing babies on their bellies and capturing the head-on-hands pose.  

Bed or cradle.

I love these wooden props for sleepy poses!  We make sure to capture a few overhead shots, full body, and close-up.  Plus, I always enjoy backlit a profile view of the baby, too!

White or cream blanket.

I have so many different white blankets with different textures, and I love using them in a variety of ways in my portraits.   Sometimes I use it on the posing bed for traditional posing.  Sometimes I layer it spilling out of the wooden crate.  Other times I will use it as a soft texture underneath the bowl or bed to add a little more dimension to photographs.    

I’m always of the mindset that less is more when it comes to newborn portraits. I hope that these five props show you that you can truly create beautiful (and long-lasting) portraits for your baby without a lot of involved setups.

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Neutral Gray and White Newborn Portraits for Baby Easton

Little Baby Easton was a cuddly, snuggly little baby and I absolutely loved capturing his newborn portraits during his session at our Saratoga Springs newborn portrait studio. We used a mix of neutrals with mostly white and gray to match their home decor, and I love how everything came together so beautifully in these classic newborn portraits. These are a few favorites that his family chose to print for their home, and I know they’re going to love their new gallery wall with a mix of family portraits and baby portraits.

Want to know more about our printing options? From fine art prints and albums to matted prints and collection boxes, there are so many possibilities for how you can enjoy your artwork at home!

For many of my clients, this is their very first time doing a newborn session and they’re not quite sure what to expect. What do we wear, what if the baby cries, when do we feed the baby, what if he poops on everything…. I get it! There are so many questions before the session!

I reassure my clients that I have done this literally hundreds of times over the years, and it is my job to take the stress out of it for them and make it a seamless and enjoyable process for everybody.

That is why I spend so much time helping families know what to expect before their newborn session even begins, and then the day of I walk them through exactly what we will do to help everyone be comfortable. I’ve compiled a whole blog post filled with what to expect at your newborn session, and you can check it out here!

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Studio Newborn Portraits for Baby Jacob

I’m always so honored when families bring their new babies to me for their newborn portraits, and I especially enjoy when those babies grow up and become big brothers & sisters who visit the studio with their brand new sibling.

I’ve been capturing portraits for Jonas’s family since he was born, and now he’s a big brother! He visited the studio with Baby Jacob and we captured the most adorable family portraits. Just look at how mom & dad look at their boys!!

This sweet baby boy was a dream to pose. He was so sleepy and cuddly, and he curled right up into the sweetest poses. We used a mix of cream, white, blue & gray to match big brother’s newborn portraits and to complement the decor in their home.

Love this classic newborn session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

Floral Crowns and Lace - Gorgeous Newborn Portraits for a Baby Girl

Ohhhhh my goodness, can we talk about how amazing Madison was during her newborn portrait session at our Saratoga Springs studio?

This little cutie was just the most adorable baby girl and I loved photographing her. She adored being swaddled and was so calm & relaxed the entire session, so we were able to capture such a huge variety of portraits for her family!

This beautiful floral crown is a new addition to the studio from my favorite headband vendor. Madison was the perfect model for it!

Madison’s mama requested shades of purple, and I loved incorporating these muted mauve flowers in her portraits!

This sweet baby girl was joined at the studio by her mama, aunt, and grandmother. We captured the most beautiful three generation portraits of them all together, and dresses from the studio’s Mama Wardrobe gave the portraits a classic & elegant style.

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Inspired by this newborn baby girl’s session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

Ethaniel's Newborn Session & Family Portraits | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

I love starting our newborn sessions with the baby dressed in a white onesie, fresh out of the carseat and laying on a white blanket.

Many babies are awake at the start of their session, and we capture such amazing expressions & eye contact! I absolutely loved how alert Ethaniel was when we began his newborn portrait session. This little cutie made so many adorable faces, and it’s hard to choose a favorite!

All of our newborn sessions include family portraits, and I love watching mom and dad snuggle up with their baby. The babies always look so tiny in their arms, and these portraits are perfect to look back on and remember just how small your little one started out, and just how perfectly they fit in your arms.

Sometimes Grandma & Grandpa join for a few quick portraits, and I always love watching them so in love with their new grandchild! Plus, we make it a point to capture a three-generation portrait when they’re there, too!

Sweet little Ethaniel slept soundly for his individual portraits, and we captured so many cozy moments for his family. I love all of the soft colors and layers, and the texture of the basket, too!

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Inspired by this newborn session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

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About Nicole Starr Photography 

Nicole Starr specializes in newborn, baby & family photography and has been serving families in New York and Massachusetts since 2012.  She has a portrait studio in Saratoga Springs, NY for families in the Capital Region.  Nicole also works with families year round at her Attleboro, MA portrait studio, and on location May through October in Boston and on Cape Cod.  Nicole has a clean and classic style, and the studio is filled with neutrals and luxe fabrics.  We use very minimal props to keep the focus on your perfect little baby.  Our sessions are relaxed and fun, and we’ll enjoy an hour together (or up to 3 hours for a newborn session!) laughing, cuddling, and capturing authentic smiles and belly laughs with your little ones.  

A Pretty Lavender Newborn Session for Baby Kinsley - Saratoga Springs Studio Newborn Photographer

We shared sweet baby Kinsley’s Fresh 48 session at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany last week, and today I’m excited to share her newborn portraits at our Saratoga Springs studio!

This adorable baby girl was an absolute dream for her newborn session. She was sleepy and cuddly, and we captured so many beautiful family & sibling portraits during her session. Her mama wore one of the lavender gowns from our Mama Wardrobe (all of our clients have access to beautiful dresses for their session to make even outfit planning stress-free!), and I love how the dress coordinated perfectly with the purple layers we used for this springtime newborn girl.

Big brother Killian loved tickling his baby sister!

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Love this lavender newborn session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

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About Nicole Starr Photography 

Nicole Starr specializes in newborn, baby & family photography and has been serving families in New York and Massachusetts since 2012.  She has a portrait studio in Saratoga Springs, NY for families in the Capital Region.  Nicole also works with families year round at her Attleboro, MA portrait studio, and on location May through October in Boston and on Cape Cod.  Nicole has a clean and classic style, and the studio is filled with neutrals and luxe fabrics.  We use very minimal props to keep the focus on your perfect little baby.  Our sessions are relaxed and fun, and we’ll enjoy an hour together (or up to 3 hours for a newborn session!) laughing, cuddling, and capturing authentic smiles and belly laughs with your little ones.  

Baby Natalia | A Springtime Studio Newborn Session with Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

We've welcomed so many baby boys to the Saratoga Springs studio lately for their newborn sessions, so I was thrilled to meet sweet baby Natalia and to incorporate all of the pretty little florals into her newborn session.

This adorable baby girl's nursery is purple & gray, so of course we coordinated a few photos to match the decor.  I always love learning about a family's decor and style before the session so that we can create images that will blend seamlessly into your home to complement your style and make a beautiful statement hanging on your walls.  This particular image was printed onto a 16x20 canvas, and I know it's going to bring such a smile to mom & dad's faces every day when they see their sweet baby girl staring back at them on the wall!

Spring is my favorite time of year to incorporate fresh blooms into our sessions, and Natalia's mom arrived with purple tulips after seeing a similar inspiration photo on my website.  I love that we were able to create this gorgeous image for her family!

Big sister Katerina did a fabulous job taking care of her baby sister during the session.  My favorite part of working was this family was after the session when I went to their home for the gallery reveal.   Mom and dad told me that Katerina had been lining all of her dolls and stuffed animals up in front of the fireplace and pretending to take their picture for the past week -- she associated the space heater in the studio with her fireplace at home, and she knew that that was the spot where she had to take baby pictures!  

Love this session?  Check out a few other favorite studio newborn sessions on the blog with our Best of 2017 blog post!

Welcome Baby James | A Neutral Newborn Session with Boston Newborn Photographer

I love watching families grow, and it's always such an honor when parents come back to me with Baby #2 for their newborn session.  

Meet James Christos.

I first met this sweet family when big brother Lucas was born two years ago, and I was thrilled to hear that they were expecting their second baby boy this spring!  We planned their newborn session at our Attleboro portrait studio, and when I asked mom what she was looking for she told me -- "VANILLA."

Whites, creams, and neutrals.  "Vanilla" is my thing, and the simplicity of it goes perfectly with our classic newborn sessions!

James wasn't a huge fan of sleeping, and we were able to get some adorable wide-eyed baby poses with him all wrapped up.  He loved being snug in our wraps, and they kept him nice and calm throughout the session while he looked around at everything going on around him.  

When he finally did fall asleep, it was pure magic!  This sweet baby boy was so cuddly and flexible, and he curled right up into the same positions that he was in in the womb.  I just love how peaceful he is while sleeping!

Curious about our newborn sessions?  Check out this helpful post to see if a studio newborn session is the right fit for your family!  (We have THREE types of newborn sessions, and there's the perfect style for everyone between our studio, lifestyle, and Fresh 48 sessions!)

Declan's Newborn Portraits at our Saratoga Springs Studio | Saratoga Springs NY Newborn Photographer

Lately I have been all about gray & white in our studio sessions!  I've always been a fan of neutrals, and I believe that the items that we incorporate into our sessions should complement the baby and now overshadow them.  

Just look at how beautifully these neutrals complement Declan's creamy complexion, and that head of thick hair!  This sweet baby boy just POPS against the grays and creams!

Declan was a sleepy little boy during his entire newborn session at our Saratoga Springs studio, and we were able to capture him in so many adorable setups to showcase those incredible cheeks of his!  A few days later his mama posted a photo on Instagram comparing her baby photo with her son's, and he definitely inherited her cheeks.  So sweet!

Parent poses are always a fun part of our studio sessions, and I loved capturing Victoria & David with their baby boy. There is always so much excitement & awe on new parents' faces, and it really is so special to be able to capture their family as they grow from two to three!

Have you booked your newborn session yet?  Sessions are typically scheduled during the second trimester -- contact us to chat about which type of session is the best fit for you today!

Welcome Willem Todd - A Fresh 48 Newborn Session at Glens Falls Hospital | New York Newborn Photographer

Fresh 48 sessions steal my heart every single time!  I love being invited into the hospital to visit a family as they grow +1, and meeting their newborn babies at only a few hours old is such an honor.  

Those few days in the hospital after your baby's arrival pass in such a blur, and we slow down time for an hour.  We close the door and capture your precious new arrival and your sweet family just as you are in this moment -- messy hair, hospital blankets, and a collection of food & drinks on the hospital table.  This is your family, right now, right here.  

Just 24 hours ago that beautiful baby was inside of you, and now here he is.  Smiling, grasping your finger, nursing, and crying.  

World, meet Willem Todd.

This handsome baby boy is so perfect, and so loved.  His parents couldn't stop staring at him.  They gave him all of the best cuddles, and his proud papa loved taking photos on his cell phone to send to family overseas.

Willem's mama was born at the same hospital as him.  The maternity ward at Glens Falls Hospital is called "The Snuggery," and years ago when Amy was born she received this little T-shirt.  Her mother kept it all these years, and we put it on Amy's son to celebrate his arrival at the same hospital his mother was born at!

They bought the cutest "Hello, my name is Willem" onesie to share the news of his arrival with family and friends, and they waited to post online until I gave them their first sneak peek 24 hours later.  This was the first portrait that friends & family enjoyed of their sweet baby boy on social media -- isn't he perfect?!?!  That little mohawk just melts my heart!

Depending on the season, we only book 1-2 Fresh 48 sessions per month since we need to allow plenty of flexibility on the calendar for your baby's unpredictable arrival.  Do you think this could be the right fit for you?  Let's chat!

Emerson's Blush Pink Newborn Session | Saratoga Springs NY Newborn Photographer

Bring me all of your baby girls, pretty please?  

I just love these studio newborn sessions filled with soft colors, lace, and floral details.  Emerson's newborn session had all of that, plus some twinkly lights.

Did you know that we like to do our studio newborn sessions within the first two weeks of the baby's arrival?  At this age, babies are still very sleepy and squishy, so it's easier to settle them into those adorable curly poses that parents love so much.  

Sweet little Emerson had the most beautiful peaches and cream complexion, and our blush pinks and creams were the perfect accent to highlight this beautiful baby girl's features.  Before every newborn session we talk about each family's style, the colors in their home, and the colors in their nursery.  Then I pull a few wraps, blankets, and baskets or buckets in coordinating colors to create a beautifully styled and unique session for each baby!

Those tiny little details are always one of my favorite things to capture during our newborn sessions -- tiny toes, fingers with little dimples on their knuckles, and those itty bitty lips blowing sweet little milk bubbles.  Those are the things you're going to want to remember years from now when your baby is all grown up, which is why it's a priority to capture them now in those first few weeks of life!

Every newborn session is a celebration of a growing family, and parent shots are a must-have at every single session.  You'll always want to remember the way your baby curled up in your arms, and the feel of her against your chest with her own breath rising and falling against you.  I love these sweet moments we captured of Emerson with her parents during her session!

Newborn sessions are typically reserved BEFORE the baby is born, and it's best to contact your photographer in the second or third trimester!  We're now booking newborn sessions through December 2017.  What are you waiting for?  

A Cake Smash Session in our Fine Art Album

Have I mentioned before how much I LOVE our beautiful fine art albums?  They are absolutely my favorite product to create from our sessions.  We fill the pages of your album with so many gorgeous memories, all woven together to tell your family's beautiful story in a keepsake that you'll pass down to your children one day.  

This fun cake smash album went home with Miles' family this weekend, and I just know that they're going to love reliving their son's first birthday through the pages of their album.  Take a peek at their album below!

Their family photos are fun & playful, and their baby boy went to town on his chocolate chip cookies.  I have never seen a baby so excited about his cookies before, and I love that we went non-traditional by bringing in some cookies for his first birthday session!  While he wasn't the biggest fan of his Cookie Monster cake smash, we ended the session with lots of smiles in our vintage bathtub filled with soap bubbles that were perfect for splashing!

Did you love this session post?

Check out another of our custom albums from a recent lifestyle newborn session!  
You will ADORE the blues in this beach-inspired nursery! 

A Light & Airy Newborn Session at Home: Lucas Matthew

Baby toes.  I am completely obsessed with baby toes.  

Itty bitty legs kicking, tiny little toes stretching out for the first time as they explore the space around them.  Can you think of a single things that is cuter than this?  Because I can't.

But you know what?  Big Sister Ella caring for her brand new baby brother might easily be a close second on the cuteness scale.  

We placed Lucas on Ella's lap, and she was the sweetest big sister taking care of her new baby brother, cuddling up with him and asking us about his "boo-boo" (his healing umbilical cord had her all worried, which was pretty adorable!).

Lifestyle newborn sessions are some of my FAVORITE sessions.  I love going to families' homes, getting to know them right there in their cozy space, and watching the most intimate moments unfold as they welcome their tiny little baby to their family.  Baby cuddles, feedings in the rocking chair, lullabies by the crib, and the sweetest little kisses all over their foreheads and toes.  

This session was extra special for Baby Lucas's family to invite me into their home.  Jenna & I went to college together, and I was thrilled when she asked me to capture her daughter's first birthday portraits last year.  Then when she contacted me to tell me that Baby #2 was on the way, I was so excited to celebrate with her sweet little family!  Plus, I always adore coming back to my favorite clients and seeing how their children have grown.  It is such an honor to be able to capture their little ones on camera.  This time, Ella was a little chatterbox, telling me all about her favorite toys in her big girl room and talking up a storm to her baby brother.  She is such a sweetheartl!

Welcome to the world, Lucas Matthew.  You are already so, so loved.  You are a very lucky little boy to have such an amazing family to cuddle up with each and every day.

(I had to include this last photo, just to remind new parents that our sessions are not all peaceful & quiet.  Babies cry.  Babies don't sleep all the time!  Parents cuddle them and soothe them.  It's only natural, so when this happens during YOUR newborn session, don't worry or apologize.  It only gives us more cute expressions to capture on camera.  In just a few short months, their faces won't always scrunch up like this when they are sad.  So capture it while you can!)