Indian-Themed Newborn Session

Cultural Details in a Newborn Photo Session

I recently had the joy of photographing a beautiful East Indian newborn—my first little one to wear a turban. While I’ve photographed many babies from different backgrounds, this was a special first, and I was hoping to capture something truly heartwarming and meaningful.

During our pre-session phone-meeting, Mom shared her vision for the shoot. We talked about colour schemes, preferred poses, themes, what to wear, and what to bring. I always offer suggestions, but never impose my own style—I believe each session should reflect the family’s personality and culture. I’m open to bright colours, neutral palettes, or nude poses if that’s what my clients prefer. This time, one of their requests was to have their baby photographed in a turban, which I was excited to try. My only concern was tying it, but Dad assured me he’d handle it.

Styling Natural Themes for a Newborn for a Newborn Photoshoot

The parents chose a soft, earthy palette—shades of teal, sage, and beige—and wanted to include natural elements in the photos. I selected a few baskets and wooden props from my studio and styled them with cozy blankets and faux greenery like eucalyptus branches and leafy wreaths. These kinds of details always add warmth and texture to newborn setups and help create a calm, nature-inspired scene.

Before the family arrived, I prepped several setups. And when I found out that dad is a veterinarian, I couldn’t resist dressing baby Shivkaran in a tiny puppy outfit from my collection—he looked absolutely adorable nestled in his dad’s arms.

Personal Touches That Make a Newborn Session Special

Mom had planned to wear a sage green dress for the shoot, but a Canada Post strike delayed delivery. Instead, she wore a lovely floral dress with bright colours—and it turned out to be a perfect choice! In photos, a little colour contrast adds depth and interest. The floral pattern brought just the pop we needed against the soft, neutral background.

We waited until Shivkaran fell into a deep sleep before attempting the turban shots. Once he was fully relaxed, Dad carefully wrapped the bright yellow cotton turban around his tiny head. It was a bit big, but nothing a little Photoshop couldn’t fix! The final images were absolutely precious.

Capturing Meaningful Family Moments in a Newborn Photo Session

Mom asked to recreate a photo from my gallery: a silhouette of the baby held between both parents. Using my strobe light, we recreated it beautifully—the result was a glowing outline of baby Shivkaran, framed by love.

Another favorite setup was the handmade wooden hammock. Although he was awake, Shivkaran lay calmly in the tulle sling, looking like he was enjoying his first little hammock ride. The combination of wood, greenery, and his peaceful expression made for such a serene shot.

We ended the session with family portraits—baby with mom, baby with dad, and the three of them together. Watching new parents look at their baby with pure joy and wonder is always such a moving moment. It’s a privilege to document these early memories—when a new life begins and a new chapter as a family unfolds.