Newborn Photography and Photo Props_9.4.2014

How To Shoot It Christopher Reposted 9/4/2014

Introduction to Newborn Photography Props and Ideas

When it comes to producing great newborn photography images, creative newborn photography props and ideas can be the difference between an amateur photo and a high-quality, professional photo.

After all, you could have all of the best camera gear, lighting gear, and even photographic knowledge in the world but still end up with boring, unoriginal newborn photography. On the other hand, you could be a beginner and get great newborn photography imagery with some creativity, attention to detail and planning. The following article will walk you through a few Newborn Photography Props and Ideas to get you started.

Newborn Photography Information

The following info is derived from our Newborn Photography Workshop
This comprehensive educational DVD teaches planning, safety, shooting, lighting, and post production and everything there is to know about Newborn and Baby Photography.

Basic Newborn Photography Props

1. Hats and Headbands as Newborn Photography Props
Hats can make great newborn photo props.  You can color match with the background and the overall scene, all while keeping the baby nice and warm with a soft beanie or cute hat. The baby hat and diaper cover combination can be purchased on our website.


2. Wraps, Blankets, Bowls, Rompers and Swaddles as Newborn Photography Props
Wraps, Blankets, Rompers, Bowls and Swaddles help create colorful and cute newborn photography imagery. These are particularly useful because they allow you to cover the newborn’s private parts, skin discoloration, or rashes easily and quickly. With diaper covers, you can simply leave the diaper on, making for a much easier and cleaner shoot.
In contrast, nude newborn baby photos require 1) placing the baby’s legs in the perfect position, 2) photographing from creative angles, or 3) or 3 cropping off certain parts of the newborn image. For information on how to swaddle, where to buy cute, safe, and unique props and outfits, check out our Newborn Photography Workshop.




All items in the images above can be purchased on our website.

3. Baskets and Bowls
Baskets and Bowls are cute photo props because they give the viewer perspective on just how tiny the newborn is. It’s this short time period in their lives that parents of newborns will want to remember forever.
The good thing is cute baskets and bowls can be purchased at almost any craft store for very low prices. Below are a couple examples of using baskets as a newborn photography prop.

4. Hanging Stork Sacks
Hanging Stork sacks play on the old story of the stork bringing the baby into the world. These sacks can make for very cute newborn photo props, but be sure to use proper safety for your baby. Make sure you realize that most of these newborn photos are composites, and they should be a combination of multiple photographs. See the newborn images below for an example, courtesy of Amanda Rachael Photography of Bella Bun®.
Learn More about Newborn Safety in our Newborn Workshop.


5. Newborn Props Based Around Hobbies (Music Sets)
The following images were sent to us courtesy of Bree Franklin Photography. Her creative newborn photos below are centered around the concept of music. Notice how she puts safety first in her imagery and uses the technique of compositing images to achieve her final vision.



6. Hammock
Hammocks are cute photo props that also must be executed with safety first. See the image below and the use of the Bella Bun to safely support the newborn baby.


For more info on using Lightroom and Photoshop for Newborn Photography, be sure to check out our Workshop.
7. Movie Newborn Photo Props (Star Wars)
If you’re looking to think outside of the box, consider some of your favorite hobbies. If you guys have a favorite movie or show, consider incorporating elements of that movie or show in your newborn photography. The more you customize your newborn props to fit your personality, the more meaning these images will have for you and your family in the long run. Take a look at this awesome newborn photo below by Emma June Photography


8. Holiday Newborn Photo Props
If you like a particular holiday or if it just happens to be that time of the year, you can find a lot of holiday outfits and props to fit any scene for your newborn photography. You can find their props for sale over on Etsy.
Check out these awesome image below by Ten Toes Photography and Gina Raw Miller Photography.


9. Superhero Newborn Photo Props
Okay … now these are creative! Take a look at these custom superhero outfits for newborns on our website under Halloween costumes or Newborn Items. Besides being adorable they are incredibly unique and surprisingly affordable over on Etsy.

10. Travel and Luggage
If you’ve got the travel bug, you might want to consider incorporating luggage, books, and other elements of travel. For this image, Pye’s wife used to live in Paris and it holds a special place in her heart. This is why we incorporated Parisian elements into this image below. We cover the set up, lighting, posing, post production for this image in our Newborn Photography Workshop.

Learn More About Newborn Photography

Please see our Newborn Photography Workshop for more ideas for props and poses for newborns. We even include a full set of newborn presets to take your baby photography to the next level.

2014 Wedding Predictions!

Drum Roll Please! 2014 Wedding Predictions

In early December, I reached out to the 18,000 members of this wedding community and asked, "What are your predictions for 2014 weddings?"  Here are the highlights from the answers that I received from the experts (aka BridalTweet's wedding vendors).  After reading this list of predictions, I'm sure that you'll agree that 2014 will bring forth elegant, meaningful moments that we will remember forever!

1. Hand-painted Wedding Cakes.  Predicted by by Crystalpearl Jewelry.

2.  Detailed Backs.  "Backs are going to be the main feature in 2014.  Thanks to vintage influences in 2013, 2014 is going to be packed with this subtle yet sexy feature.  We are talking keyholes, jeweled embellishments, architectural pleating and lace fill-ins." - Rachel Morgan

3.  Rustic is out. Elegant is in. "Brides are looking for contemporary design with traditional touches. Budgets will still be tight but there will be increased spending on uniqueness and interactive activities for guests." - Marina Luri Events


4. Tea-Length Dresses.  "...have been reappearing throughout 2013 and in 2014, we are expecting to see a tea-length boom.  These short designs are super cute and are a bit different than the traditional wedding dress. " - Rachel Morgan


The next six trends were submitted by OliverINK Publishing...  
5. Large Ruffled Skirts

6. Gold Table Decor

7. Brides Posing in Front of Doors


8. Printed/Patterned Bridesmaid Dresses


9. Text-dominant Invitations


10. Tutus for Flower Girls

The Flower Girl

Check out our Amazing Flower Girl Dresses at: FLOWER GIRL DRESSES

The modern wedding has many traditions, but the role of the flower girl is one of the oldest. The flower girl will want to work in coordination with the wedding florist and anyone else creating the overall atmosphere. Her coordination with the florist is due to her role spreading flower petals during the ceremony. She is one of the most recognized members of the marriage processional. The role of flower girls is also traditionally female in all marriage traditions. She is a key member and participant in all modern weddings today. She is part of the traditional family members in the ceremony, along with the page boys and ring bearers.

There have always been women and girls walking together as part of the marriage traditions. This is true of almost all marriages from the beginning of time. Nothing is more traditional. Although there are many types of marriage rites and ceremonies today, the role of girls and spreading flower petals has remained almost unchanged. You see flower girls in Christian, Catholic, Hindu, and even Wiccan marriage rites around the world. Modern flower girls are a symbol of rebirth, innocence, family and the newlyweds entering their marriage with purity of heart. Florists are knowledgeable in the best arrangements for modern marriage ceremonies of any religion or style. Florists and marriage planners can help with such details.

The duties of a flower girl are simple but important. In the traditional wedding ceremonial format, flower girls walk ahead of the bride for the entrance processional. She generally carries a basket and spreads flower petals over the floor where the bride will be walking. She may alternatively carry a bouquet of flowers. The girl chose for this duty should be a member of either the bride or groom's extended families. She may also be a personal friend or child of the extended family. It really is only important that she be a recognized member and friend of the bride or groom. She traditionally is a younger member of the ceremonial participants, but this is not absolutely necessary.

The right flowers to pick for use by a flower girl are best kept traditional. If you work with the assistance of a florist, the choice of flowers should be easy. A professional florist will have arrangements for weddings already in mind, but will work with your personal needs. The florist may recommend any type of flowers for the ceremony, but traditionally rose petals are spread out for the bride to walk upon. These rose petals will usually be a mixture of red, pink, and white petals. This represents love, passion, and purity being invoked for the wedding couple. Modern florists may offer other ideas for marriage ceremonies. It is smart to hire a professional florist for these duties, as they will know the best arrangements to make for beautiful flower arrangements.

The wedding attire for a flower girl has not changed much over the years. Sometimes it is helpful to coordinate outfits with the florist for colors, but generally it is more a matter of tradition. The bride and her young leader in the processional wear gowns of white, which is in contrast to the bridesmaids. This is a tradition that seems to be as old as traditional Christian marriage rites. In the past, it was historically traditional for the flower carrier to wear clothing that was made by the family of the bride or groom. Often times, she and the ring bearer were dressed in attire to look like a couple themselves. They were often made to look like miniature versions of the bride and bridegroom, this is why their clothes were provided by the families of the newlyweds.

Most modern couples do not follow this tradition, so it is expected that the children leading the procession have their parents pay for their marriage processional attire. This is also true for any other expenses that are relative to her participation in the marriage ceremonies.

It is amazing that these traditions have changed so little over the centuries. Perhaps it is because they are symbolic of the most basic and human side of becoming a woman. These rites represent women progressing forward in maturity, but also represent their role in the rites of human history.
In modern weddings, the flower girl is an important and time honored symbol. She is key to the traditional wedding ceremony. She is also a symbol of innocence and the new wedding couple entering the world. It is both a symbolic gesture in the marriage ceremonies, but is equally an initiation rite for the young girl. She will one day have someone she appoints to be ahead of her in her own marriage ceremony. She will one day step on rose petals that another young girl will lay before her own feet, as she is led towards the doorway to her own matrimonial ceremony. The marriage rites carry on from generation to generation in this way. Each new woman and girl taking part to learn the path of marriage, but also to take part in it themselves one day.