When it comes to newborn photography, every detail matters, the wrap, the pose, the angle, and especially the light. Lighting sets the mood, highlights features, and helps tell the story of your baby’s very first days in a way that’s both artistic and timeless. That’s why in every session, I love incorporating more than one lighting style, so you have options when choosing your favorite final images.

Side Lighting: Classic and Timeless
Side lighting is often considered the traditional go-to for portrait photography. It creates beautiful soft shadows and gentle highlights that give depth to the image and dimension to baby’s features. This style is incredibly flattering and helps sculpt the baby’s little face, emphasizing delicate eyelashes, chubby cheeks, and peaceful expressions. It has a classic look and often results in those heirloom-style images parents instantly fall in love with.

Backlighting: Soft, Dreamy, and Whimsical
Backlighting brings a completely different feel. This technique allows light to softly filter in from behind, creating a gentle glow around baby and a light, airy feel to the image. It’s subtle and dreamy, and it beautifully emphasizes the baby’s silhouette, especially those perfect little profiles. This style tends to have a more ethereal, emotional quality and works beautifully in neutral tones and soft textures.

Why I Use Both in a Session
As a photographer, my job is not just to create beautiful images, it’s also to give you variety and help you tell your story. Using both lighting styles in a single session gives you a broader gallery of looks to choose from. Some parents love the timeless feel of side lighting; others are drawn to the emotional softness of backlit images. Many choose a mix of both for their wall art or album layouts.

Offering different lighting styles is just one of the ways I customize each session for you. It gives you the opportunity to discover what resonates most, and to come away with images that truly reflect your taste, your baby, and this beautiful moment in time.

Have questions about lighting or what to expect at your newborn session? I’d love to walk you through the process and show you what’s possible!