Sixth Bloom

  • Photography Tips
    • Start Here
    • Photography Courses
    • Edit Pictures Like a Pro
    • Grow Your Business
    • Learn Your Camera
    • Childrens Photography Tips
    • Family Photography Tips
    • Newborn Photography Tips
    • Senior Photography Tips
    • Wedding Photography Tips
    • Photography Projects
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Food
    • Instant Pot
    • Meals
    • Snacks
  • Kids Activities & Crafts
  • Family
    • Gardening Tips
    • Travel
    • Money Saving & Budgeting
    • Home & Lifestyle
      • Our Family Life
      • Decor & DIY
  • About Me
    • Featured On
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Me
    • Guest Post Application

March 17, 2015 By ShannonMorton 2 Comments

Discover the Perfect Newborn Photography Workflow

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure and Privacy policies here

Sharing is caring!

1352 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

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

Basic Newborn Photography Workflow Tips

 

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.

Basic Newborn Photography Workflow Tips

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”.

Basic Newborn Photography Workflow Tips

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.

Basic Newborn Photography Workflow Tips

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

Basic Newborn Photography Workflow Tips

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

Basic Newborn Photography Workflow TipsBasic Newborn Photography Workflow Tips

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

Filed Under: Newborn Photography Tips

Popular Posts

Tips for First Dental Visit With Your Child

Tips for First Dental Visit With Your Child

Instant Pot Hummus Dip

Delicious & Easy – Instant Pot Hummus Dip

Three Ways Photoshop Templates Can Help You Promote Your Business

How to Capture Emotion In Your Images

« 2 Steps to Determine Your Photography Style
3 Great Tips on Photographing your Child’s Birthday Party »

Comments

  1. Angela Ciccone Follo says

    March 18, 2015 at 3:22 am

    I recently had the exact same ah ha moment after a workshop with themillyway.ca!! I was so ready to call it quits. And even in a few months my work is something I’m proud of…!!!!

    Reply
  2. Saliy Shaker Photography says

    March 25, 2015 at 5:04 am

    Hi Shannon just one question, what did you mean by “Family Shots: I plan for parent/sibling shots around the family’schedule.”.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


I'm Erin owner and chief editor of Sixth Bloom! A wife and mom living the small town life in Mississippi just outside of New Orleans Louisiana. A retired piano teacher of 19 years, currently a professional photographer and blogger. I love Jesus, my family, coffee, french fries and traveling!

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023