Why I Photograph Newborns in Their Natural Environment (and Not in Baskets)

Let’s talk about something I feel really passionate about, why I choose to photograph newborns in their own natural environment, just as they are, and not placed in props, buckets, or baskets.

Before I go any further, let me say this with so much kindness: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with those kinds of photos. There are some incredibly talented photographers who specialise in beautifully styled studio sessions with sleepy, posed babies tucked into bowls and baskets, and if that’s what you’re after, amazing! But that’s just not me.

I’m here for the real. The honest, the raw, the connected. The kind of photos that make you feel something deep in your chest when you look back in ten or twenty years. That’s what I do.

Real Moments, Not Posed Perfection

Newborn photography, for me, isn’t about turning your baby into a prop. It’s about capturing your family’s story in the place where that story is unfolding, your home. On your couch, in the nursery you spent months preparing, snuggled up in the master bedroom. It’s about the way your baby curls into you, how tiny they look in Dad’s arms, the quiet moments between feeds and the giggles from an older sibling who just wants to tickle baby’s toes.

These are the moments that matter.

Your Baby Is Already Perfect

There’s no need to mould your baby into poses or balance them on props to make them more “photo-ready.” I believe your baby is perfect exactly as they are. I use baby-led posing, which simply means I follow their lead. If they want to stretch, curl up, stay in your arms, or have a feed mid-session, then that’s what we do. No pressure, no forcing anything, no risky positions or complicated setups.

I promise, the photos we create together will still be stunning, because they’ll be real. And isn’t that the kind of memory you want to hold onto?

Timeless, Not Trendy

Lifestyle newborn photography has a timeless quality that won’t age out or look overly styled in five or ten years. There are no trendy colour schemes or props to date your images. It’s about connection, not curation.

You won’t see your baby looking like a doll posed in a bucket, you’ll see them being themselves. You’ll see the way you looked at them when they were brand new, the way they fit into your arms, the way their tiny hand wrapped around your finger. That’s the magic. That’s what I want to preserve for you.

Comfort Comes First, for Everyone

Another reason I photograph in your home? Comfort. You’re not packing up a nappy bag, trying to time feeds or naps, or wrangling older siblings into a studio space that’s unfamiliar. You’re in your space. Where the snacks are, where the spare onesies live, where your toddler feels at ease. We pause for feeds, nappy changes, cuddles, and breaks because life with a newborn is unpredictable, and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful.

No one needs to be “on.” You just need to be you. That’s when the magic happens.

It’s Not Just About the Baby

A lot of parents are surprised when I say this, but the photos I take aren’t just about the baby. They’re about your whole family. Your new normal. Whether it’s your first baby or your third, every person in your home is part of this season, and I love including everyone in the story.

Siblings can come and go as they please, pets are always welcome, and if your baby spends the entire session snuggled into your chest, that’s absolutely perfect. You’ll never regret photos that show how it felt to hold them close in those early weeks.

So, Who Is This For?

If you’re after the perfectly posed, studio-style shots with props and baskets, I’m not the right photographer for you (and that’s ok!). But if you’re looking for photos that feel like you… that tell the real story of your baby’s first days, that are gentle, baby-led, and natural, then I might just be your girl.

My sessions are slow, relaxed, full of cuddles, and all about connection. They’re not about getting the “perfect” photo; they’re about capturing the beauty in the imperfect, everyday moments that you’ll miss once they’re gone.

Because this time? It’s fleeting.

Let’s capture it, just as it is.