Let's talk about the different types of poses that I might use during your newborn session. While there may be more poses and wrap techniques than I have in this post, these are some that I use frequently. Don't hesitate to request some of your favorite poses during your newborn session!
Potato Wrap
This is one of the most common wrapping techniques. This is where baby is wrapped to make them look as round as possible, or like a "potato." This is often achieved by using more than one wrap, especially around the shoulder area. Then baby is placed laying almost upright to create the illusion of them being small and round.
This is a great technique to use when having troubles getting baby to sleep. They love the tight, secure feeling of the wrap, as it simulates being in the womb. This will usually get baby to sleep. If baby is wide awake and not showing any signs of wanting to sleep at the beginning of our session, I will usually start with this pose.
Upright Potato
This is another way to use the potato wrap. This is done by sitting baby upright while in the potato wrap. Baby is safe as the wraps support baby's neck and head and they are tucked into a halo underneath so that they do not fall, as well as keeping a hand on baby except for the split second that the photo is being taken.
Hammock Potato Wrap
This is a variation we can use with the potato wrap. It can add variety by putting a wrap across as a hammock. You can add even more to the photo by adding stuffies.
Egg Wrap
This is another wrap that babies love! They feel secure, while also being able to show more features. You can see arms, legs and even some belly in this cute wrap. It is achieved by wrapping around shoulders and under booty. This wraps around making baby look round like an egg.
Straight Jacket Wrap
This wrap technique, like in a straight jacket, keeps arms tight against the body. Baby feels secure and safe, while showing the feet so that you can see more of baby's features. This wrap can be great for awake babies.
Bum Up
This cute pose shows off all of baby's cute rolls. It works so great with chunky babies! We put posing pillows under the head and legs, which are brought up to the front elbow, to prop those areas up more while their belly sinks down in the center to create the shape we want.
Baby's face is never facing into the blanket to keep airways open and the arms are placed in just the right place to keep blood flowing properly.
Chin on Hands
One of my favorites! This is pretty self-explanatory where baby is laying with their chin on their hands. They are laying on their belly and their hands and arms are propped up on pillows. Knees are spread apart so that the belly sinks down and better stabilizes baby. Their head is able to lay on the hands with the arms acting as a cradle. Elbows are completely spread apart to keep blood flow.
Baby in a "Bucket"
This pose is commonly done in a bucket, but can be done in a box or basket, like this photo. Like "chin on hands," this pose has baby's chin on their hands, but they are propped up in a bucket, box or basket instead of on a blanket on the posing table. I like to do this one while baby's bottom half is still swaddled to keep them feeling cozy and not to wake them up easily. It is usually done as I'm transitioning from the potato wrap to unwrapped poses. Baby's head is tilted back to keep airways open and hands are placed in a way to keep the head stable. Baby's arms are on a soft padded pillow specifically made for this pose. The back of this basket is weighted down so that baby does not tip the basket forward.
Heart Pose
This pose is called the "heart pose" as baby is seemingly in the shape of a heart once posed. This is a great pose to show off all of baby's features, while being in a natural, comfy-looking position. Some babies love belly poses, while other prefer poses laying on their back. This is a great pose for those back-loving babies. There is a pillow under baby's head and under baby's bum to prop up those areas and also turn the body in the desired direction. This can be done on the posing table or can be done in a prop bowl.
Froggy
One of the most popular poses, aptly named for looking like a froggy. This is only done on the sleepiest babies, as it needs to be done when baby is very relaxed. It is not done as one photo, but composited together to look like one image. One photo is taken with hands on the arms to get the top of the head and another photo is done while holding the forehead to get the arms.
Criss-Cross Wrap
This wrap is done to look like a criss-cross, with the toes and hands peeking out. It keeps baby feeling secure, like our other wrap poses, but adds some variety. It is often done laying on the posing table with a pillow under the head and bum (to keep feet up and knees bent). It can also be done in a box, basket or bowl.
Hammock
This pose is done on the posing table using a wrap with ends secured to the edge of the table and wrapping around the bottom of baby to emulate baby laying in a hammock. I use posing pillows under baby's head and bum to keep baby in position.
Side Laying
This is a popular one with parents as it looks so natural- baby is laying on their side peacefully sleeping. This is done with pillows under baby's head and a small one under baby's feet just to keep them in position. The hands are placed in a praying position under the baby's cheek with the head turned up to keep the head at the forefront of the image.
Modified Taco
This pose is named as the baby is folded up like a taco. This is a "modified" taco as the feet are behind the elbow instead of folded on top of each other, like in a normal taco. I find that I like this modified version better than the original taco pose, so I tend to do this more often. Baby's top half is in the same position as bum up pose, while legs are in the same position as froggy.
Mug Shot
This pose (which isn't really much of a pose and is definitely baby-led) is done when baby is awake and laying on their back. It is usually done of just the top half of baby's body. It can give us some great facial expression shots, such as yawns, nose scrunches and smiles. This is a great one to get some wide awake shots, which can be a favorite with parents. Even better if baby makes direct eye contact!
Tucked In
This is done to look as though baby is tucked into bed with a blanket (a wrap secured on both ends) brought up to the chin. Baby can be wrapped on the bottom to keep feeling secure as the bottom will not be pictured. Hands are shown as if holding the blanket up to the chin. Baby's head has a small posing pillow underneath to keep in position and keep airways open.
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