Can we talk about how gorgeous this baby girl is?! Seriously! I was super excited when mom Julie drove from Fort Lauderdale and brought her two week old baby Olivia into my newborn photography studio this past August. I could not wait to photograph those eyelashes! All that beautiful hair and those lashes making the Maybelline girls jealous! Olivia’s newborn photography in Fort Lauderdale was full of personality from the very start.
Olivia arrived bright eyed and awake, not wanting to miss a single thing. Do I want a sleepy newborn for my newborn sessions? Yes! Do we ALSO sometimes get incredible awake shots if baby doesn’t sleep the entire time? Also, yes! Keep reading to see how her session turned out!
Olivia was a perfect two week old at her session. Take a peek at these Parkland newborn photos– the sweetest 8 day old baby girl!
A Calm and Beautiful Start to This Fort Lauderdale Newborn Photography Session in South Florida
Like I said, our sweet little Olivia came in wide-eyed and curious for her photoshoot. Mom carried her into the studio in her brand new Nuna car seat, ready to get the show on the road. Olivia however was fascinated with my big studio light and wide awake.
My Prep Guide for Parents Helps Newborn Sessions Go Smoothly
I send my parents a newborn session prep guide, so parents know what to do and what to expect while they are in the studio. One of my tips is for parents to dress the baby in an outfit that zips up instead of snaps. This makes it easier to remove their clothing without disturbing baby.
I also ask them not to dress baby in anything that goes over baby’s head for the same reason. Since baby was awake, I had mom go ahead and change her diaper and feed her to soothe her to sleep.
We did not dress her but left her diaper on and wrapped her up in a soft muslin blanket and I took over to see if we could get her to sleep.
Helping Olivia Settle Into Her Newborn Poses
I made sure I had the studio nice and warm, about 78 degrees since we were going to start with some of the unwrapped poses on my beanbag. I always turn on either spa music or brown noise on my speaker and I have my baby shusher going throughout the session.
Well, this time the baby was still awake but she was calm, content, and chill so I was still able to attempt some newborn posing and get some great awake images. She literally looked like a doll.
Curious what my baby boy sessions look like? Take a peek at this Coral Springs newborn photoshoot I recently did- the cutest 3 week old baby boy!
Inside Olivia’s Fort Lauderdale Newborn Photography: All the Poses, Props & Palette
For Olivia’s session then plan was to start with some natural bare-baby shots and then move to prop shots. So, I pulled this neutral peachy/pink backdrop to pose her on and it really looked beautiful on her skin and with her dark hair. I even had the perfect headband that matched the backdrop color perfectly.
Starting With Mom’s Favorite Side-Lying Pose
Side-laying is an absolute favorite pose of mine and my moms. One of the challenges with this pose is those little newborn fingers. Tiny newborn hands are usually in little fists but when it comes to newborn photos, I want their fingers flat. In the side-laying pose this is especially true and makes all the difference in the shot.
Happily, I was able to get Olivia’s little hands to lay flat right under her cheek and we got the sweetest photo. And what is even more amazing, we got the shot with her beautiful eyes looking right at us! Her mom and I were squealing but not too loud so we didn’t startle her and miss the shot.
Then, sweet one that she is, Olivia went straight to sleep and we got the shot with her eyes closed too. It was awesome.
Prop Shots: Floral Bucket and Cradle Bed Photos
From there, I pulled in a few of my favorite props: a floral bucket and a white wooden cradle bed. I love prop shots and the bucket is my absolute favorite for sure for infant photography. Again, the position of their little hands under the chin makes them look so sweet.
Mom could not believe the baby fit in such a tiny bucket so perfectly. The bucket pose is the best photo to look back on in years to come to really be able to visualize just how small they really were.
Colors and Setups Planned Before Baby Arrives
Mom requested neutrals, so I styled everything with soft tones and accented with my dried floral headbands from Vanilla Lullaby. All my clients fill out a pre-session questionnaire so I get to know what colors and props they are drawn to.
I also had mom take a look around my website and social media and point out what photos they liked. This gives me a great deal of information when planning a session. Working off the client questionnaire, I was able to have all our setups styled and ready to go when baby arrived.
I don’t want to waste time on designing setups when my clients are in the studio and we have a sleeping baby. All my buckets, props and knits are on display in the studio if mom sees something that really catches her eye.
Grey Knit Infant Photography Outfit and Newborn Detail Photos
One of my favorite setups in her gallery is the grey knit onesie setup. Mom said this color matched their home decor perfectly so I wanted to make sure to use it so they could print wall art to compliment their home.
I do have this outfit in several different colors and its perfect every time. It works for beanbag and prop images. So versatile!
My knit rompers are made by vendors literally all over the world but artisans who create these knits specifically for newborn photographers. While she was in this set up I captured some beautiful macro shots that all my clients love.
Next, I took photos of her sweet newborn details. Her eyelashes, fingers, toes and even her tiny baby lip pucker. Mom purchased one of my framed collages with all these details printed. It was beautiful.
If you’re local, you can see more about my Fort Lauderdale family, newborn, and maternity photography here. I offer photography services to families all around Miami, Florida and South Florida.
How I Get Those Newborn Poses-Safely & Gently
A little while into the session mom was having a great time and kept saying, “I can’t believe how you get babies to pose like that”. I was so happy mom was happy and relaxed and enjoying her photoshoot.
I want my clients to enjoy every moment, I do have to make sure I remain focused on the safety of the baby throughout the session.
My Newborn Posing Safety Training
As a professional newborn photographer in South Florida with more than 14 years experience, I can tell you first hand how important safety is when posing these little ones for infant photography. I have taken multiple posing safety classes and courses (both in-person and online) and just recently took my infant CPR class at the Orchid Nest in Delray Beach.
On top of this, I have also taken multiple newborn photography posing workshops. My favorite and start of it all being with Amy McDaniels of Dewdrops Photography. During these workshops, we spend two full days, back to back, working with newborn models.
I am trained specifically how to pose and wrap a newborn safely to create beautiful newborn pictures. Parents, please choose a newborn photographer who is trained and experienced in handling your sweet newborn.
Looking for all the information on the when to book, safety precautions I take and my style for newborn photography? Check out my newborn photography sessions.
Booking Your Newborn Photography Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
If you’re thinking about booking newborn photography in Fort Lauderdale, or wondering what to expect at my studio and your newborn photoshoot experience, I’d love to chat.
I know there are many photographers offering newborn photography Fort Laudersale, but newborn photography is my passion. As a professional photographer of newborns, babies and children since 2011, creating a relaxed, safe space for your baby’s first portraits is what I do best.
Looking for newborn images of your sweet baby? I’d love to welcome you and your family into my studio.
When you’re ready, book your session with me and I’ll send you all the pricing and details. You might be reading this late into the night, with your baby sleeping on your chest, or you are still expecting and dreaming of your sweet baby’s arrival. What ever stage you are at, lets plan a session to capture those newborn moments for your family.
