7 Must-Have Newborn Photos

Those first days with your newborn fly by faster than you expect! One minute they’re tiny and sleepy, the next they’re rolling over and outgrowing their bassinet. If you’re wondering which photos from your newborn session actually matter, I can tell you from nearly 20 years of experience that these 7 must-have newborn photos are the ones families treasure most.

These specific must-have newborn photos are the ones I capture during every session, and they’re consistently my clients’ favorites. Year after year, I see these particular images chosen for wall art and albums. When clients return for sessions with their next baby or come back for family photos years later, these are the shots they tell me they look at most often.

The newborn stage is so fleeting, and these seven types of must-have newborn photos help you remember just how tiny and precious your baby was during those early days. Whether you choose a studio newborn session or an in-home lifestyle session, these essential images will capture the moments and details you’ll want to cherish forever.

Must-Have Newborn Photo #1: Baby Alone

One of the most essential must-have newborn photos is capturing your baby solo. I always photograph babies alone, typically while they’re sleeping in those adorable curled-up newborn poses that they naturally settle into during their first few weeks.

These solo portraits can include both wrapped or swaddled shots that showcase your baby’s sweet face, as well as those classic posed newborn images. Whether we’re working in my studio for a traditional newborn session or in your home for a lifestyle approach, these images focus entirely on your little one.

Solo baby portraits are timeless. They allow you to see your baby exactly as they were in those earliest days…the perfect roundness of their cheeks, the way they curl up instinctively, and their peaceful sleeping expressions. These must-have newborn photos become treasured keepsakes that parents return to look at again and again as their children grow.

Must-Have Newborn Photo #2: Close-Up Detail Shots

Among the most cherished must-have newborn photos are the intimate detail shots. Parents always love these images, and honestly, they’re some of my favorites too! These close-ups show all the cute little pieces and parts of your baby that change so quickly as children grow.

I always make sure to capture fingers and toes, lips and eyelashes, and those precious detail shots like your baby’s tiny hand wrapped around a parent’s finger. These images are incredibly sentimental because newborns are only this tiny for such a brief period of time.

It’s important to capture all the little moments and details of your baby so you can remember them, especially since the newborn stage is so fleeting. Years from now, you’ll look back at these detail shots and marvel at just how small those fingers and toes once were. Parents consistently tell me that pictures of their baby’s little tiny feet are among their absolute favorites from the entire session.

Must-Have Newborn Photo #3: Baby with Mom

Capturing mom with her newborn is absolutely one of the must-have newborn photos from every session. My approach to these images is to create lightly posed images where I position you in the most flattering light to capture a beautiful photo of mom and baby together.

My studio features gorgeous full-length windows with sheer curtains that allow soft, natural light to filter through. New moms look absolutely radiant in a pretty, flowy dress while holding their little baby in this beautiful lighting. We’ll take some closer images of the baby snuggled up in mom’s arms, as well as some that show the full sweet moment between mother and child.

These must-have newborn photos capture the incredible bond between a mother and her baby during those precious early days. The connection is palpable in these images, and they become some of the most meaningful photographs families display in their homes.

Must-Have Newborn Photo #4: Baby with Dad

The energy is definitely different when photographing dads with their newborns compared to moms, and these are essential must-have newborn photos. Dads can need a little more coaching and prompting to feel comfortable holding their new baby, and I’m absolutely there to help with that.

I’ll guide dads on how to hold their baby comfortably and position them for the most touching photographs. Babies look incredible in dad’s big arms…the contrast really shows the difference between how small the baby is compared to their father’s strong, protective embrace.

These are some of the most touching and sweet moments from any newborn session! Sometimes I’ll look over my shoulder while photographing, and I’ll see the mom crying behind me because it’s so incredibly sweet watching her husband become a dad, holding their precious little baby. These must-have newborn photos capture fatherhood in its purest, most emotional form.

Must-Have Newborn Photo #5: Baby in Parents’ Arms Together

Another must-have newborn photo is the image of the baby being held by both parents together. For these images I usually position the baby in mom’s arms and then have dad snuggle and embrace both mom and baby. This positioning keeps everything feeling natural, cozy, and genuinely sweet.

This particular image consistently becomes one of clients’ favorites from their entire newborn session. These must-have newborn photos almost always make it into albums and onto walls because they capture the complete family unit in those earliest days; mom, dad, and their brand new baby, all together.

There’s something profoundly meaningful about having this documentation of your new family. Years from now, you’ll look back at these images and remember exactly how it felt to hold your tiny newborn together for the first time.

Must-Have Newborn Photo #6: Parents’ Hands Holding Baby

Parents’ hands holding the baby is a must-have newborn photos to capture because it so beautifully shows scale and perspective. When your baby is cradled in your hands, it demonstrates just how incredibly small they are during those first weeks of life.

These images show the striking contrast between your hands and your baby’s tiny body, emphasizing the precious vulnerability and newness of this little person. Beyond showing scale, these must-have newborn photos also beautifully convey closeness and connection…the protective, gentle way parents hold their newborns.

Parents consistently tell me they love these particular photos. There’s something powerful about seeing your own hands cradling your baby, a visual reminder of how you protected and held this tiny human during their earliest days.

Must-Have Newborn Photo #7: Special or Sentimental Element

This is one of my personal favorite must-have newborn photos to create! I love when clients bring something special and meaningful to their newborn session. It adds personality and creates a deeply sentimental family detail.

Many of my clients bring handmade blankets from the grandparents, or blankets from their own childhood that they’ve kept for all these years. Sometimes it’s a favorite old stuffed animal they’ve had since they were young, or a new stuffed animal that someone lovingly crocheted or knitted as a gift for the baby.

These sentimental items transform must-have newborn photos into something even more meaningful. They create a tangible connection between generations and add a layer of family history to your newborn images. I always encourage families to bring something special if they have it. These are the photographs that become true family heirlooms.

Don’t have a sentimental item or stuffed animal? You can start the tradition yourself by purchasing an adorable blanket or stuffed animal and having all of your children photographed with it! Etsy is a great place to look for a gorgeous, hand-made creation.

Bonus Must-Have Newborn Photo: With Siblings

If this isn’t your first child, sibling photos become essential must-have newborn photos for your session! I have a specific approach to these images, especially when the older sibling is a toddler who isn’t quite ready to safely hold the baby alone.

For safety and beauty, I often pose the baby in a gorgeous antique wooden dough bowl I have in my studio and position the older sibling sitting behind the baby. This creates a stunning photograph while keeping the baby completely safe without needing to be held by a young sibling.

Of course, we’ll also capture family images with all the siblings and parents together when this isn’t your first baby. These must-have newborn photos document your growing family and capture the relationships between siblings from the very beginning. Years from now, your children will treasure seeing themselves as big brothers or sisters welcoming their new sibling.

Why These Must-Have Newborn Photos Matter

After nearly two decades of newborn photography, I can confidently say these seven types of must-have newborn photos are the ones that stand the test of time. They’re the images parents choose for their walls, include in their albums, and return to look at year after year.

You might wonder if you can simply use your iPhone to capture your newborn. The truth is, newborn photography requires expertise that goes beyond just having a good camera. Babies need careful positioning, comforting, and handling to create these must-have newborn photos safely and beautifully.

As a professional photographer, I’ll make sure you look your best, ensure your baby is comfortable, snuggled, and content, and capture all those essential images you’ll treasure forever. I understand the technical aspects of lighting, posing, and composition that make these must-have newborn photos so special.

The Fleeting Nature of the Newborn Stage

What I wish every parent understood about these early days is just how fleeting they truly are! The newborn stage passes so quickly. Before you know it, your child will be a teenager, and it becomes genuinely hard to remember back to when they were that impossibly small.

These must-have newborn photos preserve those precious moments you can’t get back. They allow you to hold onto the memory of your baby’s tiny fingers, their perfect newborn features, and those early days of becoming a family.

The time and investment in professional newborn photography is absolutely worth it. These aren’t just pictures; they’re memories, family history, and tangible proof of a love that’s difficult to put into words.

Ready to capture your own must-have newborn photos? I’d love to help you document this incredible time in your family’s life! These seven essential images will give you a complete collection of newborn memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Contact me today to schedule your newborn session and let’s create beautiful images of your newest family member!

7 Must-Have Newborn Photos

Already have your newborn session booked? Click here to read my 7 Best Tips on How to Prepare for Newborn Photos!