Favorite Newborn Photography Props

Over the years I have collected a large collection of newborn photography props.  Like a pretty big collection – when I moved to my new Northfield photography studio last year and needed my husband to help move some heavy items he was shocked at exactly how many newborn photography props I had.   I guess I have been hiding the packages well. 😆

Even with the huge collection of props I have, I still have favorites.  They are the props that I always seem to be drawn back to. For a variety of reasons.  It could be the color, the texture, the ease of posing a baby on or in it, that it was a special find, and other reasons.   I often joke that I could get rid of 90% of my newborn photography props and still have a great photography studio.  Not only because of the sheer number of props I have, but also because of the love I have for these few special props.

So, let’s take a look at some of the newborn photography props that made the short list of favorites.

Newborn Photography Props | Metal Bucket

I love posing babies in little buckets.  They are so adorable in them. I used to have a large collection of buckets, in a variety of colors and sizes.  That all changed when this bucket showed up on the newborn photography props market.  It is genius!  Hello Little Props, an amazing newborn photography shop from neighboring Wisconsin came up with the best bucket props ever.  Really, best bucket ever.  Not only did they make a bucket the perfect size for babies, but they also make it with interchangeable colors and designs.  You can change out the look of the bucket in seconds.  They use personally designed magnetic wraps for the bucket, called “huggers”, a fitting name since they hug the bucket.   It is easily on of my favorite newborn photography props.  Not only because of the variety of designs they have, but I love a prop that takes up little space and allow me to fit more props into the studio.

Part of the Everlasting Bucket and Huggers that adds to my love for it, it that Hello Little Prop also designed a posing tool that makes posing babies in the bucket much easier.  It has a padded edge for baby to rest on, instead of the hard bucket edge and a padded bottom where baby sits that can be adjusted to fit baby’s length perfectly. The posing tool makes an amazing newborn photography props even better.

Newborn Photography Props | Wooden Bucket

I have a favorite wooden bucket too.  I actually have two of these newborn photography props, one that is natural wood and my favorite that is painted white. If you have been in the studio at all, or seen pictures of the studio, you know I like white props.  This white wooden bucket from Rozzi Rayne Photography Props came painted, but I have a few other white props that are duplicate wood props that I painted white.  I like the miss of clean white colors and the rustic look of this bucket, making it a favorite of my newborn photography props.

Newborn Photography Props | Boxes

I have a couple boxes that I use as newborn photography props.  One is an amazing vintage find that I found at an antique store years ago.  I have had it for at least 7 years.  It’s one of my most well loved newborn photography props.

My second favorite box is a wooden box painted pink that has been a newborn photography props staple for me for a few years.  A photographer friend’s husband made a few of them, and I was lucky enough to get one from him.

Newborn Photography Props | Newborn Fabric Backdrops

I have almost 100 newborn backdrops.  That seems like so many now that I see it in print.  Of all of those, I have a few that are favorites. Since I can’t pick just one, I am narrowing it down to my top boy and girl backdrops.

Top Girl Fabric Newborn Photography Props

My favorite of my girl newborn photography props is this soft pink lace drop. It is called Cromwell | Pale Piglet from Hello Little Props.  It is super soft, the perfect shade of pink for babies, and the lace texture is a sweet girly detail on the backdrop.

My next favorite is an “oldie but goodie”, it has been with me from almost the beginning and I hate to admit it but it’s starting to unravel on the edges.  It is a sweet gray lace drop from Roses and Ruffles.  It really is old, I have had it for almost 10 years.  It is a favorite of my newborn photography props with moms too.  It is used in almost every newborn girl session.

Another top choice for newborn baby girl photography sessions is this off white textured drop.  Like the others, it has been a studio staple for years.  I have had it so long, that I can’t even remember who I bought it from – and I am usually great at remembering where I get my drops from.  The texture on it is simple and subtle, and adds just enough detail to a backdrop.

Top Boy Fabric Newborn Photography Props

This blue waffle knit drop is easily the top boy backdrop for sessions.  I use it in almost every newborn boy photography session.  Parents always pick it, and it really is the perfect shade of medium blue.  It is also from Roses and Ruffles, and has been in the studio for years.

This light blue fabric is another boy favorite.  This was a piece of fabric that I found at a local fabric warehouse while I was there shopping for fabric for a quilt I was making.  I just happened to find this amazing light blue knit fabric and realized it was a great option for newborn photography props.

A client favorite for newborn boy photography sessions is this green fabric from Freebird Prop Shoppe.  Not only is the green color a perfect medium green shade, but the texture of it is amazing. It’s been a studio staple that has been in the studio collection of newborn photography props for years.

Another Top Fabric Newborn Photography Props

And another staple newborn backdrop is this all white backdrop. The Chandler | White is easily my most used backdrop for all newborn sessions.  It is stretchy and leaves a smooth clean backdrop for new born photography sessions. It is the perfect backdrop for poses of baby when they are awake and lets all of the attention be on those adorable baby faces.

Newborn Photography Props | Headbands

I have a problem with buying newborn headbands.  I just can’t pass up adorable headbands and tiebacks for newborn baby girl sessions.  Since I have so many newborn headbands, it would be impossible for me to pick favorites.   Instead, I am going to share my favorite vendors.  These ladies have amazing hand made headbands, in beautiful colors, and styles that match my photography styles and easily compliment my other newborn photography props.

Huckleberry Baby Props 

Ivy & Twine

Goodnightmoon Props

Wrinkle In Time Props

Newborn Photography Props | Layers

I love the texture and depth that layers add to newborn poses, especially prop poses.   I love big chunky knits, and fabrics with texture like cheese cloth.  They are studio staples for me.

My chunky knit are from a few different vendors, and I made a few of them too.  Wrinkle In Time Props and Whatsoever Things have great knit layers.  They are thick chunky knits and textured medium knits.   I seriously have so many of them, it’s embarrassing.  I also have a few that I made myself.  When I find great yarn at my local yarn store, I always pick it up and make layering pieces.  I can never have enough of them.

In addition to the knit layers, another favorite of my newborn photography props is textured fabric layers like cheesecloth, lace, and knits.  Wrinkle In Time Props always has the best options.  She is my go to shop for fun layering pieces that add texture and dimension to prop poses.  They are a favorite among my newborn photography props.

Newborn Photography Props | Rainbow Props

Newborn photography sessions for rainbow babies are a favorite of mine, I love celebrating with these families as they finally welcome these special babies into their families. Since I photograph a lot of rainbow babies, I also have a collection of rainbow baby props in studio.  I have a good selection of rainbow baby props, but some are favorites.  I found these rainbow-colored felted hearts on Etsy, and love them so much. I use them all of the time.

I also have this little gray scale rainbow that is a favorite.  I love that it is a little more muted option for sessions, and one that still includes the rainbow baby theme in sessions, without the rainbow theme newborn photography props taking over the images.  Subtle rainbow baby hints are a favorite approach of mine for these sweet newborn rainbow baby sessions.

Newborn Photography Props | Final Thoughts

When looking to add newborn photography props to your studio collection, there are some things I would keep in mind.  First, find your style. There are so many props available out there, that it is important to only purchase props that fit your style and will compliment your other props.  I would also make sure you invest in quality props made with quality materials.  I know there are cheap options for newborn photography props, but it is worth making the investment in quality props that will last. I have so many newborn photography props that I have been using for years, many of them are the ones listed above.  Buy it nice, or buy it twice really is true with newborn props. Lastly, don’t feel like you need to buy it all.  Many of us in with large newborn photography props collections have been in business for years, and have built those collections over years.  Slowly invest in good newborn photography props, and build a beautiful collection of newborn photography props over time.