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It’s always fun when Dad is the one to reach out about a newborn session! As a Bergen County Newborn Photographer, I often hear from the expecting mom when a family is planning their newborn photos, so it was a fun surprise when Nathan contacted me about scheduling a studio newborn session for his son, Hudson. He made sure to loop Mom into the conversation before booking, which I always love to see.
There was just one little detail that made this session a bit different. Hudson had already been born!
I normally recommend booking a newborn session before baby arrives, but Hudson had made his entrance a few weeks earlier than expected. Even though he was already 4 weeks old when Dad reached out, he had been born early, so developmentally he was closer to a 2-week-old newborn. That meant the timing actually worked out beautifully for his studio newborn session.
When Mom, Dad, and Hudson arrived at my Bergen County studio in Waldwick, NJ I wanted them to feel comfortable right away. I got them settled on the couch, showed them where the snack station was, and gave them a chance to relax while I started getting Hudson ready for his session.
While we chatted, I slowly took him out of his car seat and carefully unzipped his little sleeper. I always like to take my time during this part of the session. Some babies are ready to fall right back to sleep, while others need a little time to adjust to being out of the car seat and in a new environment.
Once Hudson was settled, we were ready to start photographing all of those tiny newborn details.
You can learn more about my NJ newborn photography sessions here.
Capturing the Tiny Details
When a newborn is sleepy enough, I usually like to begin with table poses because they are often the most involved part of the session. Hudson wasn’t quite ready for that yet, but he was calm and content, which gave me the perfect opportunity to capture some macro detail images.
These close-up photographs are some of my favorites because they let us slow down and really appreciate all of the little things that change so quickly during those first weeks.
We photographed his tiny fingers, his sweet little ear, and a close-up of his eye. These are the kinds of details that parents may not notice every day, but looking back at them years later, they become such a beautiful reminder of just how tiny their baby once was.
Newborn Session Wraps, Props, and Poses
For Hudson’s newborn session, Mom requested a color palette of creams, blues, and greens. I loved this combination because it gave the session a soft, natural feel while still bringing in a little color.
I started by wrapping Hudson in a neutral beige knit wrap and then adding a matching bonnet. From there, we moved into one of my favorite upright newborn poses, called the potato sack pose.
Because baby is upright in this pose, I always have a parent nearby to help keep baby safe and steady while I photograph them. Hudson settled into it beautifully, and the textured wrap made the setup feel especially sweet.
Next, I placed him in my Itty Bitty basket from Luneberry, which is one of my favorite newborn props to use. It’s small, simple, and perfect for showing just how tiny a brand-new baby really is.
After that, I switched his wrap to a soft green and moved him into a wooden crate. The green brought in just enough color to complement the wood tones without taking away from the focus of the images, which was always Hudson.
One of the things I love most about newborn photography is how much variety we can create with just a few simple colors, textures, and props.
Posing a Newborn Baby: Following Baby’s Lead
By the time we were ready for table posing, Hudson was finally nice and sleepy and comfortable, so I decided to give it a try.
I usually aim for around three or four table poses during a newborn session, but every baby is different. Some babies settle into multiple poses without much trouble, while others have a very clear opinion about which positions they do and do not like.
I always let baby lead the session. For Hudson, we were able to get a beautiful side-lying pose before he woke up and decided it was time for a feeding and some cuddles. And that was completely okay!
A newborn session doesn’t need to look exactly the same from one baby to the next. My goal is always to work with what baby is comfortable doing and create a gallery with plenty of variety while keeping the experience calm and relaxed.
Sometimes one pose gives us more than enough images, especially when baby gives us those perfect little expressions.
Newborn Sibling Photos With Big Brother
Once we finished Hudson’s individual portraits, it was time to bring his big brother, Hank, into the session. I usually have a parent or family member bring siblings in toward the end of the session so they aren’t waiting around and getting bored while we photograph baby.
Hank was at such a great age for newborn photos with his baby brother. He was old enough to understand that we were taking pictures, and we were able to capture some really sweet, natural moments between the two of them.
We started with Hank lying on the flokati while Hudson was gently snuggled into his arms. From there, we had Hank sit up and hold his baby brother.
It took a little adjusting to get Hank comfortable with the idea of holding such a tiny baby, but once he settled in, we were able to capture some really sweet sibling images.
These are the photographs that remind me why sibling portraits are such an important part of a newborn session. Your children will never be this little together again, and documenting that relationship from the very beginning is something you’ll be able to look back on for years to come.
Family Newborn Photos With Baby in North Jersey
After the sibling portraits, we brought everyone together for family photos.
We captured a variety of combinations with Mom, Dad, Hank, and Hudson so the family would have a full collection of images from this special season. We started with everyone together, then moved into smaller groupings with the boys and their parents.
Mom and Dad each had some individual portraits with Hudson, and we also captured Mom with both of her boys and Dad with his new baby.
These family photographs are always some of my favorites because they tell the bigger story of the session. Yes, we’re photographing a tiny newborn, but we’re also documenting the excitement of becoming a growing family and the beginning of a brand-new chapter together.
There is something incredibly special about photographing those first days when everyone is still getting used to their newest little person.
Looking for a Bergen County Newborn Photographer?
If you’re looking for a Bergen County newborn photographer, I specialize in studio and lifestyle newborn sessions designed to be relaxed, beautiful, and completely baby-led.
My Waldwick, NJ studio is a comfortable space where families can settle in, grab a snack, and enjoy watching their baby’s session unfold. Safety is always my top priority, and I take my time with each baby. I never expect every newborn to pose exactly the same way.
Whether you’re expecting your first baby or adding another little one to your family, your newborn’s first few weeks go by incredibly quickly. Professional newborn photography gives you a way to remember not only how tiny your baby was, but all of the little details and connections that made this season so special.
If you’re searching for a Bergen County newborn photographer in Waldwick, Ridgewood, Paramus, Clifton, Wyckoff, Ramsey, or a nearby Northern New Jersey town, I’d love to help you plan a beautiful studio newborn session for your family.
Learn more about my newborn photography sessions or contact me to start planning.
