Baby Henry didn’t sleep during his newborn session. Not even a little bit.

And you know what? His photos turned out absolutely amazing.

Here’s why: my approach to newborn photography doesn’t depend on whether baby is asleep or awake. That’s the beauty of unposed, family-centered sessions – we work with whatever baby gives us, and the results are always beautiful.

Baby Number Three, First Boy

Henry is baby number three for his family, and their very first boy after two girls. When mom brought him in, there was this wonderful confidence that comes with being a third-time parent. She knew what to expect, knew how to soothe him, knew that not everything would go according to plan – and she was completely at peace with that.

That ease translated into the most relaxed, genuine session. No stress about whether Henry would cooperate. No worry about him staying asleep. Just a mom who knew her baby and trusted the process.

Wide Awake and Wonderful

Throughout our entire session, Henry’s eyes were open. Alert. Taking everything in with that intense newborn focus that’s equal parts curious and bewildered.

And those wide-awake moments? They’re pure magic.

When a baby is awake during their newborn session, you get to see something incredible – the wonder in their eyes as they experience the world around them. That look of concentration as they try to focus on faces. The way their gaze locks onto mom. The slight furrow of their tiny brow as they process new sensations.

Henry gave us all of that and more. His dark eyes were so expressive, so present. Every photo captured not just what he looks like, but who he is – this alert, aware little person meeting his family and his world for the first time.

The Flexibility of Family-Centered Photography

This is exactly why I love family-centered newborn photography. We’re not trying to force baby into specific poses that only work when they’re deeply asleep. We’re capturing genuine family moments, authentic connections, real interactions.

Whether Henry was sleeping or awake didn’t matter because we weren’t dependent on him being still and posed. We were documenting him with his family – mom holding him, looking at him with that tender love that comes from welcoming your third baby. The way she naturally cradled him. The gentle way she touched his face.

When you focus on family and connection rather than elaborate poses, an awake baby isn’t a challenge – it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to capture their personality, their alertness, the way they respond to their parents’ voices and touch.

What Makes Awake Photos Special

There’s something uniquely precious about awake newborn photos that I don’t want parents to overlook. Yes, those sleepy, curled-up poses are beautiful. But awake babies give you something different – they give you eye contact, expression, personality.

Henry’s photos show him as he truly is in those early days: aware, taking everything in, adjusting to this brand new world outside the womb. His parents will look back at these images and remember not just what he looked like, but the way he looked at them. The connection. The recognition beginning to form.

Those wide eyes tell a story that sleeping photos simply can’t.

A Perfect Session

By the end of Henry’s session, we had created a beautiful collection of images that perfectly captured this moment in his family’s life. Baby number three. First boy. Wide awake and wonderful.

Mom left with images that show not just her baby, but the genuine love and connection between them. Photos that work beautifully because we embraced what Henry gave us rather than trying to force something different.

That’s what unposed, family-centered newborn photography is all about – meeting baby wherever they are and creating something beautiful with exactly what they offer.

Welcome to the world, sweet Henry. Your wide-eyed wonder made for the most perfect session.

Baby Henry’s newborn session took place in my Cedar Rapids studio. If you’re expecting and want newborn photos that capture authentic family moments – whether baby is asleep or awake – I’d love to chat about creating beautiful memories for your growing family.