Most parents come into their newborn session thinking about the outfits, the props, or how to get their baby to sleep—and yes, those things matter. But after photographing hundreds of babies, we at The Pod Photography can tell you that there’s something else happening beneath the surface: the way your baby naturally poses actually tells us a lot about what they’re feeling, how they’re adjusting to the world, and even hints at who they are becoming.
We always recommend scheduling your session between 5 and 14 days after birth. That’s the sweet spot when babies are still curled from the womb, sleeping deeply, and full of calming hormones that help them stay relaxed and less reactive. It’s not just a photography preference. It’s rooted in biology.
This window allows us to gently guide your baby into those cozy, dreamy poses you see in our galleries. But we’re not just posing them, we’re reading them. Every little stretch, curl, or relaxed lounge tells a story.
One of our recent lemonade stand sessions reminded us of that in the sweetest way: tiny sunglasses, a baby-sized beach chair, and a pose that said, loud and clear: Main character energy.
What Baby’s Pose Can Tell You
At The Pod Photography, we don’t force babies into these poses. We gently guide them based on how they’re already expressing themselves and create setups that let their natural instincts shine. Every position is a little peek into who they are.
- The Womb Curl: “I feel safe and held.”
This pose mirrors your baby’s position in the womb and calms their nervous system. It’s one of the first poses we capture—especially for babies who need a little extra time to settle. It’s also one of the most emotionally powerful images for parents. - Chin-on-Hands: “I’m alert and curious.”
This pose gently opens airways and lengthens the spine. Babies only relax into it when they feel secure. In this recent lemonade stand shoot with the Torrance team, baby girl gave us her own version with elbows resting, sunglasses on, and surrounded by lemonade and tiny paperbacks. It was a full personality moment… at just 8 days old. - Side-Lying Snuggle: “I trust the world.”
This relaxed position mimics how babies often sleep in the final weeks of pregnancy. It supports the spine, looks effortless, and highlights sweet features like cheek rolls and curled fingers. Perfect for minimalist styling or soft themes. - The Stretch & Yawn: “I have something to say!”
Spontaneous stretches or yawns are more than cute. They’re signs of a healthy, responsive nervous system. These are the moments we’re always ready to capture, because they feel candid, expressive, and full of life. - The Froggy: “I’m bold and balanced.”
This is one of the most iconic newborn poses, and one of the most technical. It’s always done as a composite for safety, with baby fully supported the entire time. It requires flexibility, deep sleep, and trust. We only do it when baby is deeply asleep and completely comfortable. And when it works, the result is stunning.
Behind the Scenes: The Tiniest Lemonade Stand
We recently had a family come in who loved vacationing at The Parker Hotel in Palm Springs. The location had a special meaning for their growing family, and they loved the iconic lemonade stand at the hotel. So, we had a little spark of inspiration: What if we recreated it, newborn-sized?
So our Torrance team got to work. A hand-built mini lemonade stand. A tiny Adirondack chair. Baby sunglasses, toy lemons, and even a mini Vespa. The result was pure sunshine! Baby posed in her chair, lemonade on the table, books in her lap, sunglasses on… total main character energy.
At The Pod Photography, custom sets like the Torrance team’s tiniest Palm Springs lemonade stand are one of our favorite ways to tell your family’s story. Whether it’s a theme, a memory, or just a vibe you love, we love bringing it to life.
There’s a Reason These Photos Make You Cry (in the best way)
We hear it all the time, “Why am I tearing up just looking at these?” That’s not just nostalgia. It’s oxytocin. Yep, the same feel-good hormone you get from snuggling your baby floods your brain when you look at these photos. It helps reduce stress, strengthens bonding, and reminds your nervous system that you’re safe and loved.
That’s why newborn photos aren’t just cute, they’re healing. They’re a way to come back to yourself, to remember how much love is right here.
At The Pod Photography, we see your baby as art, as personality, and as story. Whether they’re a curled-up dreamer or a little sunshine-loving diva in sunglasses, we’re here to capture exactly who they are in this fleeting moment of newness.
Ready to Plan Your Custom Newborn Photo Shoot?
The Pod Photography specializes in custom newborn photo shoots that are safe, stylish, and filled with personality. Whether you’re dreaming of a simple, classic setup or something totally unique, we’ll create photos you’ll treasure forever.
Serving all of greater Los Angeles, we can’t wait to meet your little one!
Call us at (310) 391-4500 to chat with our team and start planning or book online to reserve your spot today.