Crying, hunger, and brief periods of restlessness can happen during any newborn photoshoot. I’ll show you how I calm your baby down and how you can best help me do that
Your baby should feel comfortable during the newborn photoshoot: well-fed, warm, and secure. To make that happen, you don’t need a long list of tricks—just a calm atmosphere, a little preparation, and a photographer who knows what a newborn needs at that moment.
As a professional newborn photographer with over a thousand photo sessions under my belt, I know that newborns have their own rhythm. They get hungry, need a break, or are just getting used to their new surroundings. So far, I’ve captured beautiful photos in every session by using patience and the right techniques. Here, you’ll learn which soothing methods really help during a shoot: from preparation to Dr. Harvey Karp’s five “S”s, all the way to my go-to moves when a baby does happen to cry.
Here you will find a brief summary of the main contents of the article:
- A well-fed, warm, and pleasantly sleepy baby is the best way to ensure peaceful photos during a newborn photoshoot.
- The five “S”s according to Dr. Harvey Karp (swaddling, side-lying position, shushing, rocking, sucking) mimic the comfort of the womb and reliably soothe newborns.
- Monotonous sounds such as white noise or the sound of a hair dryer, dim lighting, and minimal visual stimuli in the room further help to soothe the child.
- Basic needs come first: hunger, a clean diaper, and warmth are checked before soothing techniques are used.
- If a baby cries during the photo shoot, that’s normal and no reason to panic. An experienced photographer always plans in breaks for feeding, diaper changes, and comforting the baby.
- In a nutshell: How to calm your baby in a newborn shoot
- The best preparation for the newborn shoot
- Calming restless babies: The five "S's" from Dr. Harvey Karp
- More tips and tricks for a relaxed photo shoot
- What do we do if the baby cries during the newborn photo shoot?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Your Baby During a Newborn Photo Shoot
- Are you interested in a photo shoot with your baby?
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The best way to soothe a baby starts before the shoot. A baby who is well-fed, warm, and pleasantly tired will sleep soundly at the start of the session and will be easier to position in the typical newborn poses. Here’s an overview of the most important points; you can find more details in my post on preparing for a newborn photo shoot:
- Time: Schedule the photo shoot for a time when your baby is usually well-rested and content. The morning is often a good time.
- Keep your baby awake and feed them: Keep your baby slightly awake for one to two hours beforehand, and breastfeed or feed them until they’re full right before the appointment. A tired, full baby will sleep soundly right from the start.
- Warm Rooms: Newborns are not yet able to regulate their own body temperature. Therefore, the room where the photos are taken should be well heated.
- A calm atmosphere: Soft lighting, quiet sounds, and relaxed parents create the right mood.
- Light Meals for Breastfeeding Moms: As a breastfeeding mom, it’s best to avoid foods that cause gas before the photo shoot. A baby struggling with gas is harder to calm down and get to pose.
- Warm Bath: For many babies, a warm bath on the morning of the photo shoot helps them relax and get sleepy.
- Have everything within reach: Lay out diapers, wet wipes, burp cloths, a change of clothes, and a pacifier.
Dr. Harvey Karp, a renowned pediatrician and author, has developed a method that helps many parents and photographers calm restless babies. This method is based on the five “S’s”, which address the baby’s natural needs and instincts and convey a feeling of safety and security:
- Tight Swaddling: Swaddling a baby tightly but gently in a blanket or cloth simulates the snugness of the womb. The baby feels protected, uncontrolled movements decrease, and the baby falls asleep more easily.
- Side Position: Holding the baby on its side can help prevent the Moro reflex (startle reflex). I only use this position while the baby is awake and I keep it securely supported with my hands at all times. I explain why this is so important in my post on safety during a newborn photoshoot.
- Shhh… (Shushing): Familiar sounds like white noise or a mother’s heartbeat remind the baby of the time spent in the womb and have a calming effect.
- Swinging: Gentle, rhythmic movements mimic what the baby felt in the womb and help the baby relax.
- Sucking: The sucking reflex is very strong in newborns. Sucking on a pacifier, the breast, or a bottle provides comfort and soothes the baby.
Using the five “S’s” requires some patience and practice, but can be very effective in calming restless babies and enabling a harmonious photo shoot.
In addition to preparation and the five “S”s, there are a few techniques you can use to help calm a baby during a newborn photoshoot or baby photo shoot. What helps most is a combination of a quiet environment and relaxed parents.
- Relaxed Adults: Babies can sense tension. If you’re tense, it rubs off on them. Take conscious breaths and allow yourself to take breaks; brief interruptions are perfectly normal.
- Soothing sounds: The hum of a hair dryer or a white noise app often has an immediate effect. These constant sounds are reminiscent of the time spent in the womb.
- Soft and warm: Make sure the baby isn’t too cold or too hot. A comfortable temperature and soft bedding are good for the baby.
- Closeness to parents: Your scent and your voice are familiar to the baby. If needed, Mom or Dad can hold the baby and comfort it.
- Swaddling: Wrapping a baby in a soft blanket provides a sense of security and minimizes uncontrolled movements.
- Reduce Stimulation: If the baby shows signs of being overwhelmed, it helps to dim the lights and keep the room quiet.
- Stroking and gentle patting: Lightly patting the bottom and stroking the back soothe many babies.
- Burping: If your baby is fussy even though all their basic needs seem to be met, it’s often worth picking them up briefly to help them burp.
- Patience and flexibility: Every baby is different. What works for one baby may not work for another. Stay patient and feel free to try out different methods.
If your baby cries during the photo shoot for newborn photos, we’ll take a break. That’s completely normal and won’t affect the photos. Crying is the only way a newborn can communicate. I’ll stay calm, figure out what’s causing it, and take over soothing the baby so you don’t have to worry. So far, I haven’t had to cut short a single newborn photoshoot.
- Basic needs first: Before we turn to soothing techniques, let’s check the obvious: Is the baby hungry, does he have a wet diaper, is he too cold, or does he need to burp?
- Relaxed parents, relaxed baby: the parents’ mood is transferred to the baby. When mom and dad are relaxed and at ease, this has a positive effect on the baby’s well-being. So stay calm as parents and enjoy the photo shoot.
- Plan for breaks: We take time to feed, change, and cuddle the baby. A break is also the perfect time to change the baby’s outfit without stressing the baby out.
- Positive atmosphere: Maintain a positive and supportive atmosphere, even when you encounter challenges. A smile, words of encouragement and a calm demeanor can work wonders.
- Rescheduling is extremely rare: I’ve never had to reschedule a photo shoot for another day. But it puts parents’ minds at ease to know that, no matter what, you’ll get beautiful pictures of your baby.
