How do I pose for a mother and baby photoshoot?

5 Feb

Written By

As a London Baby Photographer specialising in Newborn Photography with 12 years of experience, I’m often asked how to pose, especially when it comes to Newborn Photography.

My advice? We get the best results when you just come as yourself. Yes, it may sound a little corny, but I truly love it when I arrive, and Mum is simply being herself—she’s put in a bit of effort but still looks like her best, authentic self. It allows me to truly see her.

It’s like any other day, and I’m just popping in for a visit. The only difference might be that you’re not in your joggers or dressing gown this time and you’ve done your hair and make-up enough to make you feel good :)

I create the best work when Mum is feeling fairly relaxed, together we’ll try out a few things and just keep going from there.

Mother and Baby Portraits London — Baby Photographer London

How do I pose for a mother and baby photoshoot?

There’s no quick-fire answer, but stay with me because I want to share how I work and how that helps mums feel comfortable and confident during a shoot.

How I tend to work

I often guide mums and dads to bring out the best in them. If Mum is open and willing, I use my intuition to understand her personality, and my direction will be as much or as little as needed. While I direct all posing, I always encourage Mum to lean into the process naturally.

When I work with families or individuals, I treat each session as a unique experience—everything is explicitly tailored to them. Over the years, I’ve mastered this approach, which is a freeing experience that challenges me creatively in ways few other things can.

Although I no longer focus on newborn posing, my many years of experience in this area have been invaluable. I’m confident working with newborns, having photographed hundreds of babies. Feel free to take a look at my older newborn work here.

How does this help mums (and dads, too!)?

I often work with individuals who aren’t too keen on being photographed, and surprisingly, these sessions often result in some of my best work.

Many of my clients appreciate guidance in all aspects of the shoot. Once I show them what’s possible and how it will look, they start to feel more comfortable with the process. Occasionally, I work with clients who are very creative and come up with plenty of ideas —this is truly wonderful (but not a necessity). In these cases together, we figure out what will work best.

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Samples of what I’ve done

Here is a small sample of what I’ve done in the past. It is just a tiny selection, and I could never possibly share everything because a lot of it exists in my head and now in my client’s homes in the form of prints, albums and digital files on hard drives. I constantly change it depending on the vibe or mood I get from the situation.

Mother and Newborn Baby by North London Baby Photographer — Motherhood Photographer

Or maybe even a bit of this :) ...

session styling - I will guide you as much or as little as you need

The amount of preparation needed for your motherhood session can vary—some sessions require minimal preparation, while others might need a few weeks of planning.

So, talk to me honestly about what you want. The more open you are with me, the better the session will be. My goal is to make these sessions feel warm, intimate, and comfortable. Sometimes, they can even be therapeutic.

Mother and her Baby by North London Baby Photographer — Mother and Baby Photography London

makeup and hair

Doing your make-up and hair is fine. If we are going for a more is less look, then do it yourself, but it you want to look very polished, feel free to get it done for you. Just be the best home version of you.

I'll help you through the process once I know what look and feel we are going for.