5 Must-Have Newborn Photography Props to Up Your Game

Every mom-to-be dreams of capturing the first moments of her newborn baby on camera, and if you’re planning to photograph your own, you want to make sure you up your game with the right photography props. Newborn photography takes time and patience – this isn’t about snapping away as quickly as possible, but letting these special moments unfold naturally in front of your lens, one beautiful pose at a time. The following five must-have newborn photography props will help you create stunning photos of your baby in no time!

The Baby Shusher

Newborns tend to sleep poorly—usually for a couple of reasons. First, they’re tired from having just made it into the world, so they don’t want to be awake any longer than they have to be. Second, many of them don’t have fully developed sleep patterns yet, so their sleep tends to be broken and not as deep. The good news is that white noise is an excellent way to help babies feel more relaxed and sleepy. My favorite white noise machine to use in the studio is the baby shusher!

The Heater Fan

Newborns are quite sensitive, and all parents want their babies to sleep as much as possible. Of course, nature doesn’t always cooperate with our desire for peace and quiet, and that’s where a baby heat fan comes in handy. What is it? An innovative device that blows warm air directly on a baby. It helps keep little ones cozy and secure, which can help them relax or fall asleep faster! I've tested many different heaters at all different price points, but by far my favorite is this one (found at Home Depot!)

The Pacifier

Some parents may be opposed to using pacifiers, but they really help with posing for photos and for the brief time they're in the studio! Babies hold pacifiers in different ways. Sometimes they let it dangle from their mouths and look away, sometimes they hold it very close to their face. Getting a good shot requires patience and persistence, so its very beneficial to use a pacifier to help you achieve cute poses. My favorite ones are the Soothie brand or JollyPop.

Shape Shifters

Handy dandy newborn posers and pillows are essential for snapping stellar shots of tiny, delicate babies. Without these tools, a newborn photo shoot can be quite difficult. By using props correctly and frequently, you’ll create one-of-a kind keepsakes that newborn parents will cherish for years to come. My favorite posing tools for unwrapped posing are the Shape Shifters from Hello Little Props.

The Lulla-Vibe

Newborns sleep most of their days, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need sleep aids. The lulla-vibe is an effective alternative to a rocker or swing and can help babies fall asleep and it's something I use nearly every newborn photography session. Babies also like movement, so gently rocking them in your arms as you walk around can be very effective in helping them drift off.