Behind the Scenes: My Safe & Gentle Newborn Photography Process
Capturing your little one is about so much more than just a camera click. It is about creating a safe, calm, and nurturing space where your baby feels completely secure, whether we are wrapping them for a cozy pose or capturing the tiniest details.
A look at my safety-first approach. For poses like the 'Potato Sack', I use four layers of soft wraps to fully support the baby's neck and head, ensuring they are always secure.
Here you can see me and my assistant working together to gently position a sleeping baby in our hot air balloon prop. Every movement is slow, careful, and focused on comfort.
A real moment from a twin session. It takes a team and a lot of patience to soothe two babies at once, but the peaceful final portrait is always worth the effort.
This clip shows the process of safely placing a swaddled baby into a bucket prop. I make sure they are snug and supported before I even think about taking the picture.
Adjusting the final details. My assistant and I work to perfect the setup around the baby, ensuring every pearl and petal is in place for this vintage-themed newborn shoot.
A peek over my shoulder as I capture a macro shot of a newborn's tiny foot. Getting these detailed shots requires a steady hand and a gentle touch.
About Behind the Scenes: My Safe & Gentle Process
When you see those adorable 'potato sack' poses or babies sleeping soundly in a bucket, know that there is a lot of work happening off-camera. I never force a baby into a pose; if they are not comfortable, we switch to something that makes them feel secure. I use a specific four-layer wrapping technique that provides firm support for their neck and head, so every single image is captured with maximum safety and gentle care.
My Approach to Safety
Being a mom myself, I understand that leaving your newborn in someone else’s hands requires a huge amount of trust. In my Malad West studio, safety is never an afterthought. Whether we are doing a vintage-themed setup or a simple, wrapped portrait, every session involves a trained assistant who acts as a spotter, ensuring the baby is never left unattended.
The 'Photo Doula' Method
Photography sessions with newborns can be unpredictable. That is why I do not rush. We build in plenty of time for feeding, soothing, and diaper changes. If a baby needs a cuddle or a moment to settle, we take it. My goal is to capture your baby when they are truly relaxed, which is why I prefer booking sessions between days 5 and 14 when they are sleepiest and most flexible.
Supporting the Poses
For more complex poses, such as the potato sack or bucket sits, I rely on foundational support. I use soft fabrics, layers of wraps, and gentle propping to ensure the baby’s spine and neck are always fully supported. If a baby shows signs of discomfort, we stop and adjust. The images you see in the gallery are the result of patience, teamwork, and a constant focus on keeping your little one happy and secure. It is the only way I know how to work, and it is the only way I would have it.
Lensdoula Photography
Hi, I’m Shilpa. Being a mom, I know that handing your newborn over for a photoshoot requires immense trust. My Malad West studio is a calm, safe sanctuary where we move at your baby's pace, never rushing and always prioritizing their comfort over the perfect shot.
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