Why I Don’t Pose Newborns — And What I Do Instead
If you’ve been scrolling through newborn photography and something feels off — the elaborate props, the tiny babies crammed into baskets, the wings and crowns and froggy poses — you’re not alone. A lot of expecting parents feel that way and aren’t sure there’s another option.
There is. And I’d love to show you what it looks like.
I’m Susannah, a Colorado newborn photographer serving Denver, Boulder, and the Front Range. I’ve been photographing newborns in families’ homes for nearly two decades, and I have never once put a baby in a basket.
Inquire about a newborn session.
Why I Don’t Pose Newborns
1. Newborn babies are already perfect.
Your baby doesn’t need my props or costumes to be worth photographing. The wings, the crowns, the elaborate swaddle setups from a photographer’s prop closet — all of that draws your eye away from the actual subject: your baby’s face, their tiny hands, the way they fit perfectly against your chest.
That said, if your mother knitted a blanket for the baby, or there’s an heirloom you want in the photos, those details are always welcome. Meaningful props tell your story. A basket from my prop closet doesn’t.
2. Posed newborn photos don’t capture your connection.
Newborns posed in baskets with elaborate props are technically impressive. But they’re not really your baby — they’re a baby in a costume on a set. What gets lost is the actual connection: the way you hold your baby differently than anyone else in the world, the way your partner looks at both of you, the specific details of the room where your baby came home to.
I prefer to capture closer to real life — the connection, the baby in their own environment, the family exactly as they are in those first tender days.
3. Safety.
Unnatural studio poses can be dangerous. Your newborn’s neck and head control are not fully developed, which means certain positions could cause injury. Many popular poses also require props like baskets and bowls that can be unstable. I 5000% don’t want to risk your baby’s safety. Ever.
4. Babies should be with their parents.
Babies are happiest when they’re with you. And you only get to hold them on your chest for so long — squirmy, opinionated toddlerhood is just around the bend. Capturing your baby with you, in your arms, in your home, is so much more meaningful than any studio setup could ever be.
What I Do Instead
My newborn sessions are simple on purpose.
I’ll photograph your baby swaddled — naturally, comfortably, the way you actually swaddle them — on the bed, in the bassinet, in the light coming through your windows. Then I photograph you with your baby. Parents holding, parents together, siblings meeting the baby for the first time, the dog who isn’t sure what to make of any of this.
If your family has something meaningful — a hand-knitted blanket, an heirloom, a special stuffed animal waiting in the nursery — bring it into the session. Those details become part of the story in a way that rented props never could.
I move around your home, follow the light, and watch for the real moments — the ones that happen when nobody is performing for the camera. No baskets, no froggy poses, no wings. Just your family, exactly as you are, in the first days of this new chapter.
Sessions happen entirely in your home — I come to you, anywhere in Denver, Boulder, or the surrounding Front Range. Everything moves at your baby’s pace, with plenty of time for feeding, soothing, and settling.
Learn more about in-home newborn sessions
What Natural Newborn Photos Actually Look Like
Ready to Book a Natural Newborn Session in Colorado?
The sweet spot for newborn photos is days 5–14. I recommend reaching out during pregnancy so your spot is reserved — Denver and Boulder slots fill up fast, especially spring and fall.
Tell me a little about your family and where you’re located and I’ll be in touch with next steps.
More Newborn + Family Photography
In-Home Newborn Photography — what to expect
When Should You Schedule Newborn Family Portraits?
Does My Home Need to Be Clean for an Indoor Session?
Denver Family + Newborn Photographer
Boulder Family + Newborn Photographer
