I have a confession to make.  You know all those unbelievably cute newborn photos that are so popular right now?  The ones where the baby is propped in a basket, or with a huge bow on her head, or folded in half and actually holding her chin in her hands?  The ones that just make you go "OMG!!!!"  They are so stylized and so beautiful and so freakin' cute that I wanted to create them MYSELF.  Desperately.  

But this time, this baby, this mother, this newborn photo shoot, for whatever reason, finally allowed me the opportunity to hear my guidance on this subject.  The truth is; I don't think I am in total alignment with that whole basket/bow thing, yet.  In fact, every newborn shoot I have had has felt really upstream during those setups.  You see, the baby needs to be in a very deep sleep, which is a lot harder than it sounds.  And then you are getting them naked and literally posing them like a doll.  On one hand it is really funny.  On the other, it is really strange.  A newborn has just come out of the coziest spot, like, ever, and now here we are, stripping them down and putting them down.  I believe that babies are meant to be "in arms"!  That is where they feel and look safest.   And what I am noticing, is that those shots that I always end up capturing 'between the scenes', the ones where the baby is nursing, or just opening their eyes and gazing at their Momma... Those are the ones that really touch me.  Those are the ones that the Moms & Dads LOVE.  Those are the real life moments that the parents will want to remember when their baby grows up.  

So, I take a new stand.  I am not saying I will never attempt 'the basket shot' again, in contrast, I really am still hoping to satisfy that creative outlet.  But right now, I am completely reworking my idea of what I want to accomplish with a newborn shoot.  

Please comment - I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject!