What is a Natural Newborn Session | Fort Benning Newborn Photographer

Hey there mama-to-be! So I know you might be feeling overwhelmed with all the information (or lack thereof) about newborn photography sessions. But don't worry, I've got you!

I am a Fort Benning-based Newborn Photographer! I have offered Newborn Sessions in Germany, Savannah, and now here at Fort Benning. I am a three-time award-winning Newborn Photographer specializing in Natural Newborn - Baby Let sessions. I will walk you through what exactly a Natural Newborn session is, why I prefer Natural Newborn sessions, and why I do not offer the standard baby-in-a-bucket newborn photography. This post is jam-packed with information, so grab a cozy beverage and settle in!

Why I personally do not offer the basic newborn session you see on Pinterest

 First and foremost, Safety, regardless of the session type, is always my top priority. But this priority is tenfold when it comes to a newborn session. Newborns are incredibly fragile, plain and simple. 

I have spent countless hours doing newborn photographer courses, attending in-person safety workshops, and obtaining safety certifications to ensure I know what I am doing and making me knowledgeable about all things newborn safety related. 

What you will not get from me is any unsafe poses that could harm the baby, such as the froggy pose; while this is one of the top photos that will populate when you Google newborn photography, it is one of the most dangerous poses you can put your baby in. And you are hoping that the photographer you have hired to capture that image for you knows that it is not a single image, rather it is supposed to be a composite image (this means it is several images blended together in Photoshop) to create a single image; however, even as a composite, this position risks injuring your baby's arms and wrists. 

You will also not see me putting the baby in precarious baskets or buckets, as you see on Pinterest, that have to have the correct amount of weight inside to avoid risking toppling over. 

Do not get me wrong, I do understand why people love these images; they are the images most people think of when they see newborn sessions. And it is not because I cannot do these types of sessions, I can, but I actively choose not to because ultimately I do not feel that getting a single specific photo of a baby in those positions is worth putting any baby at risk. 

So what exactly is a Natural Newborn Session?

 Instead of the standard, overly posed sessions discussed above, I offer natural newborn sessions with a baby-led wrapping style. The Natural Newborn Session concept is a popular Australian process that I have adopted into my practice, allowing the whole session to be dictated by the baby's preferences, meaning if the baby is not tolerating the wrap, we move on to a different wrap or position to make them more comfortable. I wrap in ultra-soft baby-safe wraps, which I have had in-person formal training to do, and everything I bring to use with newborns is cleaned and sanitized in between sessions. I keep everything bright, neutral, and timeless so that the focus is not taken away from the star of the session, your sweet new bundle of joy. 

We keep things light and, most importantly, real, while still capturing those heirloom images that you will want to plaster over your walls. We capture the sweet real-life snuggles, the tiny yawns, the newborn scrunch, the tiny wrinkles, and the tiny details that make your baby unique. This takes the pressure and awkwardness out of the picture, allowing everything to be relaxed and organic, no stiff awkward poses here. Instead, we capture the true connection and love between you and your spouse, snuggling your sweet baby. We capture the beauty of the new mama glow - because yes, I know you do not feel like it, but you are a superhero, and you glow differently when you become a mama. Whether you are a first-time mama or a third-time mama, that new baby sparks a newfound love in your heart and allows you to glow with happiness. 

What makes Natural Newborn sessions special?

They are not just for your newborn; they are open for the whole family to attend and be part of. I want you and your spouse, and your older kids, to be included in the session. I want to capture those moments of your kiddos with their new baby sibling. I want to capture the sweet tenderness of your spouse and all your children together. And most importantly, I want to capture YOU with your children because I know as mamas we often are not in the photo with our children as much as we would like to be because we get so caught up in capturing the moments. 

The next best thing about Natural Newborn sessions is that there is less stress on the golden 2-week window you often see with newborn photographers. While yes, baby is more apt to be sleepy in that first 14 days home, and this is still prime time for newborn sessions, it is not a deal breaker for Natural Newborn sessions! I offer my petite natural newborn sessions for full-term babies up to 5 weeks old and up to 8 weeks for my NICU clients. Ultimately, I do not want you to regret not getting a newborn session done just because they are outside the 2-week window because of an extended hospital stay, complications or life with a newborn being a new learning curve to adjust to.