Houston Newborn Baby & Family Photography Blog | Sarah Borchgrevink Photography

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mom and newborn photography

A Mother’s Love | Favorite Ways to Pose Mom and Newborn Baby

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, located in Houston, previews the most stunning and sweet mothers who have visited the studio recently! Read about Sarah's favorite ways to pose new mothers and their precious earth side babies. 

There is no greater love than a mother has for her child

Howdy, friend! I am super excited to see you're visiting my little 'ol blog! Today's post chats about my favorite ways to pose newborn babies and their mothers as well as why parent posing is included in all three custom, curated collections I offer to fresh new babies in Houston TX. Please allow me to introduce myself! My name is Sarah Borchgrevink. Yes, yes - I know my last name is a mouthful but the fellow I am married to is such a sensational lad I had to take that last name, ha! We've been married since we were 19 years old and 8 years later we have four little ones! Motherhood influences my portraiture work because it allows me to relate to my clients on a personal level. 

Because I am a mommy myself, I truly believe parent posing is of the utmost importance and it's included in all three collections I offer. If you'd like to take a quick peek at them, check ' em out. :-) There is a mini, petite or full session; these typically takes place at 5-8 days new, though I will take newborns up to 14 days if needed. 

There is no greater love than a mother has for her children. I often am reminded that the depths and multifaceted dimensions to our relationships with our children deserve to be preserved and honored. This in mind, I enjoy working with parents during our newborn session together. As a perk, I do include parent/family set ups in all of my sessions and I do hope you take advantage of this.

I include parent posing in all of my sessions because this time is incredibly special and fleeting; parents have no idea how quickly time passes until they bring their new baby home from the hospital or birthing center. All of the sudden, your baby is months old or even a year! The first year of life, for instance, is a whirlwind of adjustments and milestones in which we are constantly looking forward and not always in the moment. By including parent and family posing, such as mom and baby, in my collections you will fondly look back on these images and be filled with love for your sweet newborn cherub. I know many new parents do not feel camera ready, however, you'll be super happy to have taken these. 

BACK LIT MOTHER AND NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

Creating soulful, dynamic and stunning portraiture is one of my favorite parts of being a Houston Newborn Photographer. In my studio, you'll find the most gorgeous ethereal lighting and this is truly a cornerstone to my baby sessions. I simply adore the way the light fills the room, illuminating the subjects, thus adding a sense of peace, serenity and joy to the final product.

I always include back-lit images in all of my sessions and galleries. While I do have an impressive wooden wall, this gives two looks, so diversity is a wonderful element, too.  When implementing back-lit images into your session, the process is simple: back-lit simply means Mom stands paralell to the light and is lit from behind. I like baby to be facing her at all times so we're able to see a beautiful profile of darling little one's features.

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The Criss-Cross Pose of Mom and Baby

I love posing a mother and her newborn baby in the "criss-cross" pose, which is essentially a pattern of intersection straight lines or paths, meaning the arms of mom are crossed over her shoulders with baby sweetly nestled into her palms. This can be done in many different ways. Each baby is different; some are longer, shorter, chubbier, more petite, or curly. However, they're wrapped for each and every parent shot, as wrapping is a huge cornerstone to how I create unique and timeless newborn portraiture. 

Cypress TX Newborn Photographer

When doing this pose, you can always have mom back-lit, explained above, or you can use a simple background. I usually use my wooden wall in studio since it contrasts with parents. If you're unsure about to what to wear to your session, have no fear. Each parent is given a detailed newborn prep guide on what to expect and clothing suggestions are given. 

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The Shoulder

The third pose I typically implement is baby gently placed against Mom's shoulder. I like this pose because you're able to see Mom's face and all of baby's gorgeous little features such as their sweet little newborn toes, button nose, hands gently folded beneath their chin, and of course their faces! 

This pose is simple to achieve and never causes me stress or worry. I am able to do it quickly, too, and make mom feel comfortable because she is not awkwardly holding baby for a long period of time while we adjust things. I personally like wrapped parent and baby images, so this helps me do a session much faster. By wrapping baby, baby is the perfect little package and easier for parents to hold, I can leave their diapers on and it makes for much less clean up and messes, and also makes baby happy. Babies adore being wrapped - I cannot stress this enough. 

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As always, I would love to thank you for visiting my blog! I enjoy writing about new topics and creative projects I'm working on. Check back in a few days to see new posts! Looking forward to your visit. :-) 

Now that you've read a little about mom and newborn posing, you may be interested in reading about:

Specializing in posed baby portraits, Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer serving the surrounding areas including Houston metro area, Cypress, Katy, Spring, The Heights, Sugar Land, West University, Bellaire, and The Woodlands, TX. In addition to breathtaking newborn images, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting couples.

Three Safe and Easy Dad and Newborn Baby Poses to Try

My favorite sweet and simple father and newborn photography poses during a studio newborn session.

Three Dad & Newborn Baby Poses | My Go To's 

Good morning, friends! Thanks for stopping by my blog to see three really simple, safe, and easy ways to pose Dad's during a newborn session. Welcome!  

I cannot stress enough how important newborn safety is during a session. These poses are my "go to's" because they're simple, easy for parents to understand, and also do not take much time. I encourage you to always begin with what's simple because it allows you to build from here; by posing your parents in more basic manners, you're able to focus on the foundation of safety, lighting, and making sure everyone has a great experience. 

I should also note these poses focus on wrapped images because this is a cornerstone to all of my newborn portraiture. These can certainly be done is baby is naked, though! If you try any of these, feel free to let me know if they worked for you or perhaps some tips you'd like to share back!

Pose Number One

My absolute favorite pose of father and newborn baby is Dad holding baby against his chest, with baby sweetly wrapped. This is my favorite dad and baby pose because it shows how small baby truly is, and this is the only time in life where your sweet cherub will truly fit in the palm of your hand. Baby is just a few days old when you visit the studio; they're fresh and new and you're completely in love with this darling little bundle of joy! This portion of your newborn session takes place right at the beginning. 

Dad and Newborn Baby Posing

To achieve this pose, it's very simple. Wrap baby in whichever style you like. You could also do this as a naked posed, however, I prefer the look of newborn wrapping so I do not offer naked newborn posing at this time during the family portion. This also allows us to leave baby's diaper on, ha, and have much fewer messes during the session. 

I utilize the wood wall in my studio and will have the light angled 45 degrees from Dad. I will have Dad place his hand on his belly button and I will gently place baby in his hands. I always tell Dad, "I am not going to take my hands off baby, but I will tell you where to place your second hand." Then, to make sure baby is safe, I tell Dad he will place his other hand across baby's chest and use his thumb to support baby's head. As you know, a newborn session takes place during the first 14 days of life, and so baby cannot yet hold up their head. No worries! Top safety methods are implemented to make sure your baby is never in danger. 

This pose is simple, safe, easy, and feels timeless. It also is easily communicated to parents and is something they understand. I like to do a few shots of Dad looking and smiling at the camera, then him looking down at his sweet baby, and of course an image of his chest with baby as the focus. 

Another tip for why this pose is my favorite: baby can be awake or asleep for this pose. Baby is wrapped and their adorable little hands are out of their face. So if baby has still not fallen asleep it's not a big deal. :-) It keeps baby content, too! 

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Pose Number Two

The second pose I will typically implement into my dad and baby portion is a back lit image. I love the ethereal white light to be behind my subject. Like baby against dad's chest, as shown in the first pose above, this is a fantastic way to showcase the baby's portfolio and also do a family photo, too. For example, when beginning this pose, I tell Dad that baby's feet will be against his chest and he'll smile downward at baby. I place him where he is completely parallel to the light. If he is wearing a wedding ring, it's nice to see that, too. :-)  

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For variety, my second tip during this pose would be to just rotate Dad about 40 degrees and do an up close cropped image of Dad's chin and chest with baby as focus. I love the way Dad's arms look broad as they hold their brand new little one closely. 

Father and Newborn Photography Posing

As you may have noticed, this wrap is my favorite during newborn family photos, ha! I love the way their little feet poke out so sweetly and curl up towards their chest.

Dad and Newborn Posing during Posed Newborn Session

Pose Number Three

The third pose is by far the easiest and a great way to begin if you're unsure of where to put baby. Baby likes this pose because it is close to Dad's heart and they can feel the heartbeat. When working with a newborn baby, we want the environment to be warm and cozy for them so they're reminded of the womb they spent 9 months in. 

Posing Parents during Newborn Session

To achieve this pose, simple place Dad where he is perpendicular to the light. Have him place his elbow against his side and then carefully place baby in his hand. Keep your hands on baby. Then tell Dad he will support baby's head with his chest and also will bring his second hand behind baby's back and keep his thumb near their cheek so if baby does startle, baby is safe.

Thanks for stopping my blog to see three simple, safe, and easy Dad and Newborn Baby Poses to try in your own time! I hope you found this post informative. If you liked reading about dad and baby posing, you may find the following posts really informative, too! 

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Newborn Photography Showcasing Mom and Dad

Howdy, there! I'm thrilled you're here on my blog. Today's blog post is going to preview an adorable family and their in studio newborn session featuring both parents. Parent and family posing is an important part of your session because this time in your life is extremely special and deserves to be documented! You've just welcomed a brand new baby and they represent your hopes and dreams; you spent 9 months eagerly awaiting their arrival. Now baby is earth side and is so small, she fits perfectly in your arms, a little cherub. At my Houston Newborn Studio, parent and family posing is the first part of our session together. Prior to arriving, you're told what outfits look nice and how to dress so you're comfortable. My studio is kept at 80 degrees for baby's comfort, so I prep you so you're sure to have a wonderful experience.

A few things that are paramount to your parent posing:

  • Comfortable and laid back connections

  • Lifestyle in nature

  • Baby is focus and the star

  • Full guideance given

These elements will ensure your photos are beautiful and represent the love of a couple as they welcome baby into their family. Here are some of my favorite images from my time with mom and dad.

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Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.