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Inside: Here is a step by step – How to have a successful Newborn Photography Workflow.  Start getting the results you want in your newborn photos. 

The first lasagna I made was a terrible flop. No kidding.

I think I had been married for about 3 months when I tried my hand at this pasta goodness. Sadly for me (and my sweet, supportive new husband), my high hopes turned into a rubbery, goopy mess. See, I came into marriage with a few cooking skills, so I decided to take some liberties with the recipe. Wrong decision! It was after the Great Lasagna Fiasco of 2000 that I learned I needed to follow the directions given and not stray from the workflow so thoughtfully and intentionally laid out the in cook book. After the next time I tried the recipe as given, then I could take liberties within the workflow.

Basic Newborn Photography Workflow Tips

Flash forward to 2012: I was on the brink of giving up on newborn photography. I had spent the previous few years researching newborn photography poses on Facebook and Pinterest, trying new things during each newborn session, and generally getting frustrated at the outcome. I knew what I wanted to achieve but just couldn’t seem to get there.

I came to a crossroads. I knew I either needed to pursue some hands-on education and mentoring with an established newborn photographer or eliminate newborn sessions entirely from my offering. So after much prayer, thought, and counsel with my husband and a few other photographers, I decided to take a leap and go to my first hands-on mentoring class.

Oh heavens!! My eyes were opened, and I felt like the angels were singing over me. No kidding. So many things clicked and made more sense. So many pieces fell in place, the biggest one being: A WORKFLOW!!

I finally had a concrete plan on how to pose the newborns and even transition them between poses in a consistent, safe way. It really was eye-opening. I also felt more freedom ironically then I had when I was just putting together poses in a hodge-podge manner. I could now express creativity and use unique props within the context of the workflow. Eureka!!

So what did that workflow look like?

Newborn Photography Tips for Beginners

1- Begin with harder newborn poses: I’ve been to a few other newborn photography mentoring workshops since the first one, so I’ve tweaked my workflow even a bit more. But I basically begin with the harder poses, usually “chin-in-hands” aka “Froggy”.

2- Move onto simple newborn poses: Now move on to simpler newborn poses like “head up.” Each pose flows into the next one with minimal movement of the baby.

3- Prop Shots: Then, I usually end with prop shots.

4- Family Shots: I plan for parent/sibling shots around the families schedule.

There are some great newborn workflows out there, and I’m guessing no two newborn photographers do their workflow exactly the same. So my best suggestion is to consider investing in some mentoring. If you’re not able to travel, invest in a video made by the likes of Keri Meyers, Erin Tole, or even Rachel Vanoven to name a few. Or if you’re able travel, invest in hands-on newborn mentoring with one of the many great ladies out there who have a style that you feel drawn to. Again, Keri Meyers, Mary Maloney (Pebbles and Polka Dots Photography), Amanda Cutler (Pumpkin Pie Photography), or Claudia Aguilar (Captured by Claudia) would be great ladies to start with.

I promise that your newborn photography will move up to the next level, and you’ll find more freedom to express your creativity within a concrete plan.

No more goopy lasagnas!!

If you are looking for more

Newborn Photography Tips for Beginners

Here are some great additional reads.

Newborn Photography Lighting Setup

Infant Photography Ideas

Baby Photo Shoot At Home Ideas