Documentary Newborn Photography in Taipei: A Different Approach

When you think of newborn photography, what images pop into your mind? Do you think of a sleeping baby wrapped up in a little ball, carefully placed in a basket? Do you think of studio lighting and props? I’m not here to argue that a certain type of newborn photography is “better” than another, but I am here to tell you that there is an alternative kind of newborn photoshoot if the more traditional style that I described above isn’t your thing. A lot of people might not be aware of this, but newborn photography works extremely well in a documentary style! In fact, newborn sessions are one of my favorite things to photograph.

Why do I love doing documentary newborn sessions? Because it’s the beginning of an interesting story. The story is about a family making space for its newest member, and all of the tension and tenderness that ensues from this shift. The story looks different, in many ways, for families who are welcoming their first baby than for families who have already been around the block a time or two. In both cases, the story reveals itself if you just let families be together. There is nothing I could tell people to do, no way way I could wrap up or pose a baby, that would give me more impactful images than a family existing in a space with their newest member. The key is to trust that the story will show up (it always does if you let it).

For families with a first baby, the story often shows up in the way it takes two people to change a diaper, careful checking in with apps and parenting books, and laughter when something unexpected happens. With families that have other children, the story usually involves sibling curiosity, sibling poking, and also lots of laughter. The love looks the same, for everyone, always.

The photos below are from a newborn session with a family who already has four children, and the sibling love was a delight to capture! There were also many moments of calm and much joyful nibbling of baby toes.