5 darling dad and Baby Poses for Your Upcoming Newborn Photoshoot
When it comes to newborn photography, dads often don’t realize just how important their role is in the final gallery. While mamas usually anticipate being photographed, dads sometimes need a little encouragement, but trust me, these images end up being some of the most treasured of all and so often I hear “I am so glad we did this” when the session is done. There’s just something incredibly moving about the way a father holds his baby: protective, tender, strong, and gentle all at once. And not to mention moms choose these images more than anything. After all, it is her two loves of her life together!
So here are five darling dad and baby poses you’ll absolutely want included in your upcoming newborn photoshoot:
1. The Protective Hold
This pose is often referred to as the “football hold” and is usually a win with dads. One of the most classic father-and-baby poses is when dad holds his little one safely in his hands. The contrast of dad’s strength and baby’s fragility creates a striking and emotional image. This pose shows just how small and precious your newborn truly is. And dad will love this one too! You can get so many different images from this one pose. You can have dad kiss baby, you can include another parent, or have dad look at the camera. I typically do all of these to add more images to their proofing gallery.
This baby girl just fit so perfectly in her dad’s hands, and her little puckered lips just added extra magic to this image. I know this was a huge favorite of mind and my clients.
2. Face to face connection
There’s nothing sweeter than capturing dad leaning in to gently touch his nose with his newborns tiny little nose. This intimate pose highlights the deep bond forming between father and child and is always a client favorite. It’s simple, timeless, and powerful. It usually gets some tears from mama, and is always chosen. I wish I had gotten a picture like this with my twin boys!
This was this dad’s first baby, and he was completely smitten with his little girl! She had a head full of blonde hair (which is rare for newborns) and was as darling as they come! I was so excited when they came to my studio.
3. Resting Peacefully Against Dad shoulder
I call this the “burping pose” because babies have a way of instantly relaxing when they’re snuggled up against dad’s chest or shoulder like when they are being burped. In this pose, your newborn is wrapped or in a cute little outfit, and tucked closely against dad’s shoulder, which his arm across their side or back. These portraits radiate warmth and safety, creating heirloom-worthy images. I love how the focus is still on baby, but dad is really doing the supporting and providing the backdrop.
This pose of baby on dads shoulder I do almost every session, or a variation of it! This is dad’s second little girl, and she looked so much like his first! It was so sweet to see this family grow.
This is a variation of the same pose but where this little guy had on a little outfit instead of baby being wrapped. This was dad’s first baby, and you could just feel the excitement and love between them. I love that you can see dad’s big hands and the tiny little baby scrunchy face here.
4. A Gentle Kiss from Dad
Dads kissing their babies, whether on the forehead, cheeks, or tiny hands, always make for some of the most heart-melting photos. This is guaranteed to be one of those images you’ll look back on with a full heart, and a chosen image as well. Mom’s beware, this pose tends to get some tears :) Look how scrunchy and sweet he is with that little yawn too!
His little yawn though! I was so excited when I took this photo because I knew it would be a favorite. This baby boy was so tiny that the outfit almost looked big on him! I love how he looks so peaceful and relaxed.
5. Tiny Details in Dad’s Hands
Newborns grow quickly, and their tiny toes and fingers don’t stay little for long. One of the sweetest ways that I love to highlight dad’s role is by photographing those tiny details resting in his hands. The tiny toes, and then their tiny hands wrapped around his finger. Both of these poses beautifully symbolizes how dad will always be there to protect, guide, and hold on tight. This pose is one of the easiest ones I do, and is always a guaranteed pick. A client has never passed up this image in their final gallery. I do these poses in both color and B&W, but the black and white ones just hold so much more emotion. I use canon’s amazing macro lens for this. Their EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Did you know that newborn toes only curl up like this for a few weeks? This is one of the reasons I love capturing this image. Not to mention how sweet their tiny toes look in dad’s big hands.
Those little hands won’t stay tiny for long so make sure to capture them grasping tightly to dad (or mom’s) finger is just such a stunning portrait. I would love to see this printed and up in a home. And you will be so glad you have this image, especially when your newborn is heading off to kindergarten. Tears.
EXTRA BONUS POSE: Peeking over Dads Shoulder
This pose works best for an older newborn when they can hold their heads up a little and having some eye contact is just a bonus! This is such a great pose too if dad is feeling shy about being in front of the camera because their face isn’t in it. There is so many options for images and poses when parents are feeling extra nervous about being in front of the camera, and this is one of them! You can also then have the partner come over and kiss baby for another pose, which is what I did here.
Isn’t she just the sweetest? She gave me the best eye contact. This was from a model call when I set up a new area in my studio, and I love how their images came out. That little brown bow on her head too! I get all my tiebacks and headbands for little girls from Created by Carli, and she is the best!
I hope these 5 Newborn Poses with Dad Ideas give you some inspirations to take with you when you go to your next Newborn Session! Congratulations on your new baby!
~ Lindsay | Salem Oregon Newborn Photographer
