If you’ve spent any time browsing baby photos on Pinterest, you’ve probably noticed those perfectly posed newborn shots—tiny hands tucked under chins, snug little wraps, and intricate setups. While posed newborn photos are undeniably beautiful, I want to introduce you to a different style—one that has truly captured my heart: natural, unposed baby photos.
Over the years, I’ve realized that the most meaningful, heartfelt images come from capturing babies just as they are—wiggles, yawns, stretches, and all. Here’s why I choose to embrace the beauty of unposed baby photos and why I think you’ll love it, too.
Your baby’s safety is always my number one priority. Newborns are delicate, and while professional photographers take great care when posing babies, the reality is that some positions can be uncomfortable or even risky.
I prefer to let babies settle into natural positions, whether that’s snuggling in your arms, stretching out on a soft blanket, or drifting off to sleep in the coziest way possible. There’s something so peaceful about capturing a baby exactly as they are—no complicated setups, no forced poses—just pure, natural moments. If you’re concerned about the safety and comfort of your little one during a photoshoot, unposed baby photos might be the perfect solution.
Babies are full of personality, even in their very first days. Some are naturally sleepy and snuggly, while others are bright-eyed and curious. Some stretch out with tiny fists in the air, while others tuck into a cozy little ball.
By keeping things unposed, I’m able to document those tiny details that make your baby unique. Their little yawns, the way they curl their fingers around yours, the sleepy smirks and unexpected giggles—these are the moments you’ll want to remember because they are real.
Think about it: When you flip through your baby’s photos years from now, wouldn’t you rather be transported back to exactly how they were? Those fleeting, in-between moments are what make unposed baby photos so powerful.
Let’s be honest—photoshoots can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re adjusting to life with a newborn. Trying to get your baby to stay in a particular position or waiting for them to settle into a deep sleep for a posed setup can sometimes add unnecessary stress.
With unposed photography, there’s no pressure. Your baby leads the session, and we go at their pace. If they need to be held, rocked, or fed, that’s totally okay. If they want to stretch and kick their legs, I capture those moments as they happen. The result? A collection of images that feel effortless, timeless, and true to your baby’s personality. Choosing unposed baby photos means a relaxed and enjoyable photoshoot experience for both you and your baby.
While styled, posed baby photography is undeniably beautiful, trends in photography come and go. What’s popular today may feel outdated in a few years. But unposed baby photos? They are timeless.
Soft light streaming through a window as you cuddle your newborn. Tiny hands wrapped around your finger. The way they instinctively nuzzle into your chest. These moments will never go out of style.
When I photograph babies, I want to create something that will feel just as magical 20 years from now as it does today. Unposed baby photos allow me to focus on what truly matters—the love, the connection, and the tiny details you never want to forget.
Another reason I love unposed baby photos? Every session is completely unique.
When babies are posed in similar ways with the same props, the photos can start to look alike. But when I photograph babies naturally, the session is entirely about them. Their quirks, their movements, their connection with you—it all comes through in a way that’s deeply personal and one-of-a-kind. Looking for inspiration? Check out this beautiful Pinterest board filled with unposed baby photos.
Whether it’s capturing the way they stretch after a nap, the tiny expressions they make in their sleep, or the way they instinctively grasp your finger, no two sessions are ever the same.
At the end of the day, both posed and unposed newborn photography have their place, and every family has their own preference. To learn more about the differences between these styles, you can read this article on Posed vs Lifestyle Newborn Photography. But for me, nothing compares to the raw, genuine moments that happen when babies are simply allowed to be themselves.
If you love the idea of capturing your little one in the most natural, heartfelt way—without the pressure of perfect poses—I’d love to work with you. Let’s create timeless images that truly reflect the beauty of your baby’s earliest days.
Contact me today to learn more about my unposed baby photos sessions.
Heather Parrish is a lifestyle maternity and newborn photographer based in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Iowa. She specializes in capturing the intimate and fleeting moments of early parenthood with a focus on natural light and authentic connections. Heather is a member of Professional Photographers of Iowa and strives to create images that reflect the unique beauty of each family.
@heatherparrishphotographyiowa
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