Palo Alto Newborn Photographer’s Top 10 Favorite Props, Poses and Outfits!

At the pre-session consultation, parents often sit with me and go over all the props and outfits they’d like to include in their newborn photoshoot. Today I’m going to share my top 10 favorite props, poses and outfits that I think help me be unique and offer timeless portraits that you’ll forever love and cherish!

#1 fav of Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | All white with vintage lace

A simple white wrap with a delicate lace overlay and a matching headband is perfect for newborn girls. The outfit is simple yet elegant and can be photographed in a variety of poses. A pearl or flower headband – like this one here– is the perfect finishing touch.

#2 fav of Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | Handmade Knit Hats

These hats are so soft and sweet and come in a variety of colors. They add such a fun pop of color to any newborn photo and can be styled in a variety of ways.

Fun fact- a lot of these hats that I have in my Belmont Photography studio were hand knit by my grandmother! She’s a very fast knitter and can really do a bonnet a day. So when she came to visit me in the Bay Area, I bought her the softest yarn to make these pretties for my tiniest clients!

#3 fav of Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | Wooden Bed

This prop is one of my all time favorites! I love the rustic look it adds to photos and the endless possibilities for poses. There’s something so adorable about a newborn sleeping in a bed! These beds are truly versatile and also serve as a good prop for 1yr olds. I’ve photographed newborns all wrapped, on their tummy and- my fav- with a tiny knit bear that makes for some of mom and dad’s fav photos from each session!

#4 fav of Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | Tutus and Headbands

I love incorporating tutus and headbands into newborn photos. They are both so sweet and feminine and can be styled in a variety of ways. When choosing newborn outfits and accessories , don’t be afraid to go outside the box and choose something a little more unique! However, be mindful of the size as a headband too big or a tutu which is all tulle can hide the baby and also doesn’t photograph very well!

#5 fav of Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | Faux Fur Flokatis

These flokatis are so soft and luxurious and come in a variety of colors. They add such a cozy and warm feel to photos and are perfect for siblings+ newborn photos. I usually do these sibling shots with the baby and the sibling lying down.

It’s a really sweet and simple pose that can be photographed in a variety of ways- my fav cues are “can you give baby brother a kiss”, “can you smell baby’s hair”, “ooh, can you smile like the baby just tickled you!?” and these always work with the older siblings.

These flokatis make it sure easy to photograph multiple kids too- so if there’s a family with 3 or 4 kids, I would still use these as my preferred background.

#6 fav of Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | Rattan Bed

I just got this new bed for my prop collection and I love it! It has a really rustic and timeless look with the natural wood and rattan. It’s perfect for newborns, but I’ve been having a blast using it for older sitters and even 2 year olds when I’m doing outdoor sessions. The versatility of it is great, and I can see it being a staple in my studio for years to come! This is also from one of my fav prop vendors!

#7 fav of Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | Hooded onesie for the baby boys

This is another new item that I just added to my studio and I’m loving it! It’s a super soft and cuddly hooded onesie for the baby boys. It comes in a variety of colors and can be styled so many different ways. The possibilities are endless! Every newborn outfit is made with the best, softest fabric that babies love and are comfy in.

#8 fav of Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | Dad + Baby pose

This pose is one of my all time favs! I love the emotion and connection it captures between a dad and his new baby. It’s such a special moment and can be photographed in so many different ways. This pose is always a hit with the dads and they always leave with some beautiful photos of just them and their new baby!

There’s just something so amazing about the juxtaposition of dad’s big hands and a tiny baby. I bet every dad will look back at this portrait fo their child years down the line and think about how soon time flies and how quickly their little one has grown up!

#9 fav of Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | Baby in bucket + Sibling pose

This is another super simple and sweet pose that I love. I call it the baby in a bucket pose and it’s perfect for newborns. It can be photographed in so many different ways and always results in some beautiful photos.

This pose is also great for siblings! I usually have the siblings standing or sitting next to the bucket and the baby inside of it. It’s a really easy way to get multiple kids into one photo! I love using this pose when the older sibling is not feeling the flokati pose. and I’ve also done this as a composite.

This allows for the sibling to be photographed how they’re comfortable and then I photograph the baby separately in the bucket and just combine the two images in photoshop to create one flawless portrait!

#10 fav of Palo Alto Newborn Photographer | Wooden Heart Bowl

Handcrafted in the USA, this wooden heart bowl is one of my fav props! I love the simple rustic look of it and the warm natural wood. The one I have in studio is a light pink color which is perfect for both boys and girls.

I can use this on the floor like I would use a wooden bowl but I can also use this under the backdrops to photograph a naked baby with just the silhouette of the heart showing through! I’m yet to try this in the second setting but I cant wait to give it a go with my next newborn!

In conclusion, these are my top ten fav props, poses and outfits for newborn photography! I hope you enjoyed reading this post and found it helpful! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!