Welcoming a newborn into your family is one of life’s most profound moments. These early days are filled with love, exhaustion, joy, and awe—a fleeting chapter that deserves to be captured authentically. This is where newborn storytelling photography comes in.
Gone are the days of rigidly posed newborn portraits with elaborate props (though those are beautiful in their own way). My focus now is on the real moments, genuine interactions, and raw emotions that define the early days of parenthood. This is about preserving the connection and love that makes your family’s story unique, with every image telling a tale of new beginnings and unconditional love.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the magic of newborn storytelling photography, what to expect from your session, and how to prepare for this timeless experience.
For years, newborn sessions have been the backbone of La Bella’s Photography. My studio was a space filled with sweet new beginnings and tiny miracles. However, with my life now spent traveling between Las Vegas and Northern Nevada, I’ve decided to close the studio and embrace on-location sessions—a decision inspired by my love of storytelling photography.
This change has opened the door to something I wish I had done sooner: newborn storytelling sessions. These sessions are simply gorgeous, brimming with life and emotion, and perfectly capture the essence of welcoming a new baby into the world. Life in the comfort of your home or on-location—with all its tender chaos, quiet snuggles, and undeniable love—is life in its most beautiful form.
During a storytelling session, there are no stiff poses or elaborate setups. Instead, storytelling photography is all about capturing the raw, fleeting moments that make your family beautifully unique. It’s in the details—the way your toddler cuddles their newborn sibling, a dad’s soft kiss on his partner’s forehead, or a mother’s look of pure love as she holds her baby close. These sessions celebrate the real, the unscripted, and the moments you’ll want to remember forever.
Unlike traditional posed newborn photography, storytelling photography embraces the beauty of the unscripted moments—where the magic naturally unfolds. These are the moments that are so easy to miss and forget in the blur of those early days, but they’re the ones that matter the most.
Interact Naturally
Hold your baby, kiss their tiny fingers, or snuggle up as a family. Don’t worry about “doing it right,” and don’t wait for me to direct every movement—just be yourselves. The more natural you are, the more heartfelt and authentic the images will feel.
Follow Your Baby’s (or Kids’) Lead
Whether your baby is awake, sleepy, wiggly, or fussing, it’s all okay! We’ll embrace whatever mood they’re in because every moment—even the messy ones—is worth capturing. Let your children explore, giggle, or snuggle on their own terms.
Stay Connected
The magic lies in the little connections—look at your partner, hold hands with your older children, or cuddle your baby close. These interactions are what make storytelling photography so special. I’ll capture the way your baby fits perfectly in your arms, the gentle kiss you place on their forehead, or the awe-filled look siblings give their new little brother or sister.
By embracing the real and natural moments, you’ll walk away with a gallery of images that tell the story of your family as it is right now—raw, beautiful, and uniquely yours.
Whether we’re on-location or in your home, my approach is relaxed, natural, and intentional. My goal is to create an environment where you can simply be yourselves, allowing the moments to unfold naturally.
These sessions take place in the heart of your family’s space, where so many memories are made. The perks of in-home sessions include the comfort and familiarity of your surroundings, making it easier for parents and siblings to relax and enjoy the experience. Your home becomes the backdrop for your story, capturing authentic moments like cuddles on the couch, quiet feeding times, or the way your toddler interacts with their new sibling. The personal touches of your home—from the nursery details to the family’s favorite spots—add a unique and deeply meaningful layer to your photos.
For families who prefer a more personal setting, in-home storytelling sessions focus on real life and simplicity. Here’s what you can expect:
For families who want a more natural, ethereal feel, outdoor sessions are a stunning choice. Imagine a soft sunrise or golden hour glow, a cozy blanket spread out on the grass, and the beauty of your family immersed in nature. The perks of outdoor sessions include the gorgeous, ever-changing light and the freedom of open spaces, which create a dreamy and timeless atmosphere. Whether it’s a scenic park, a quiet meadow, or a favorite family spot, outdoor locations provide a breathtaking canvas for capturing your family’s connections and love.
An on-location newborn session has a boho, earthy vibe and takes place in a carefully selected outdoor setting. Here’s what to expect:
What you wear during your newborn session plays a key role in achieving a cinematic, timeless look. The colors, textures, and tones you choose can completely transform the feel of your images. For example, a family dressed in all white creates a very different mood compared to a family styled in earthy, warm tones.
This is your session, and ultimately, what you wear is your choice. My role is to guide you toward wardrobe options that I know photograph beautifully and help create the soft, organic aesthetic that makes storytelling images stand out.
This guide will walk you through choosing clothing that will look incredible on camera, ensuring your photos feel cohesive, natural, and timeless.
Let’s dive into some styles that photograph absolutely amazing. Maybe one of these will resonate with you, and we can plan your session around it! Here are a few popular options to consider:
Personally, I lean more towards boho, country, and cottage core vibes, and my client closet is stocked with plenty of options to help you achieve this look.
I have hand-selected wardrobe pieces that fit beautifully within my cinematic, storytelling style. These options are perfect for achieving a natural, cohesive look:
For Women and Teens:
For Babies, Toddlers, and Older Kids:
For Men and Teen Boys:
While I don’t currently stock clothing for men and teen boys in my client closet, here are a few recommendations to complement the look:
For Baby/Toddler Girls and Boys:
Items not included in my client closet but worth considering for a unique vibe include:
No matter the style, I’m here to guide you! Whether you’re borrowing from my client closet or styling from your own wardrobe, we’ll work together to create a look that feels true to you and photographs beautifully. Let’s bring your vision to life and make magic!
Colors That Fit My Style:
Colors to Avoid:
Patterns and textures play a huge role in creating beautiful, interesting images. When done right, they add visual depth and make your photos feel dynamic and full of life. By combining subtle patterns and layered textures, we’ll create images that are visually stunning, timeless, and full of personality. Don’t stress about getting it perfect—I’m here to guide you every step of the way!
Patterns can bring character and interest to your photos, but moderation is key. A good rule of thumb is to have less than half of your group wearing patterns. This ensures the overall look stays cohesive and not too busy.
Patterns to Consider:
Patterns to Avoid:
Why avoid these? They can create a strange visual effect in photos that makes the image look distorted. Trust me—my camera doesn’t love them!
Textures are one of my absolute favorite things to incorporate into a session. Layering different fabrics with texture adds richness, depth, and dimension to your photos.
Fabrics with Amazing Texture:
Textures make your wardrobe feel intentional and elevated, and they photograph beautifully in any setting. Whether it’s the delicate flow of chiffon, the softness of muslin, or the richness of velvet, adding textures to your outfits takes your images to the next level.
(2 Parents, a Baby, Toddler, and Older Child)
I recommend starting with mom's outfit as the foundation and then building everyone else’s outfits around it for a cohesive look. However, if someone in your family is the pickiest about what they wear, it might work best to start with their outfit first and build from there. Whatever makes the process easiest for you!
This checklist ensures your family is styled cohesively while staying true to the beautiful, storytelling style of your session. Let’s make magic!
My Newborn Storytelling Package is designed to make this process as seamless and enjoyable as possible for you. Here’s what’s included:
Storytelling sessions pair beautifully with a custom-designed heirloom book. These handcrafted books showcase your session images in a way that feels timeless and personal. They’re perfect for displaying on a coffee table or gifting to loved ones, ensuring your story can be cherished for generations to come.
As part of this new chapter for La Bella’s Photography, I’ll be traveling between Las Vegas and Northern Nevada throughout the year. In 2025, I will be in Las Vegas during the spring and fall. Specific dates will be announced soon, so stay tuned!
This allows me to serve families in both regions, offering the same heartfelt, storytelling photography wherever you are. Whether you’re in the bustling city of Las Vegas or the serene beauty of Northern Nevada, I'll create images that reflect your family’s love and connection.
These early days of parenthood are fleeting. Babies grow so quickly, and life moves faster than we realize. Storytelling photography preserves this chapter forever, capturing not just how your family looks, but how you feel in this moment. It’s about the connection, the love, and the unique story of your family.
If you’re ready to document your family’s journey through authentic, heartfelt images, let’s connect. These are the moments you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
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