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Custom Newborn Portraits Created Using Sentimental Items

Custom Newborn Portraits in Oklahoma City

Newborn portraits are some of the most sentimental portraits you can create. It’s so nice to be able to look back and remember how teeny tiny your baby was for such a short time. It’s crazy how fast the memory fades, but having those photos help solidify it long term. How can you make sure it’s something personal and true to your family? Sentimental items. Bringing in something sentimental can add so much value and make the portraits even more memorable for your family, and ensure you have completely custom newborn portraits. It helps set the portraits apart from other newborn photos and ensures that they are truly unique.

So what items can you bring to your newborn portrait session that will make a big impact? Here’s a few ideas…

8 Prop Ideas to Create Custom Newborn Portraits

1. Wedding Rings

Custom newborn portraits using sentimental items from your home.

Incorporating wedding rings into a newborn session is a wonderful way to add a deeply personal touch, symbolizing the unity and love that brought the new life into the world. These rings, emblematic of the parents’ commitment and journey together, add a layer of sentimental value and narrative to the photographs. Placing the rings delicately around the newborn’s fingers or toes creates a visual link between the family’s past, present, and future, highlighting the enduring bond that surrounds the child. This thoughtful inclusion not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the images but also ensures that the session is unique and meaningful, capturing the essence of family heritage and love in a tangible and touching way. It’s also a sweet addition to those adorable finger and toes photos!

2. Family Heirlooms

Including family heirlooms in a newborn session is a beautiful way to infuse the photographs with rich history and sentimental value. These cherished items, whether they are a grandparent’s blanket, a vintage toy, or a piece of ancestral jewelry, serve as tangible links to the family’s past. By integrating heirlooms, the session captures not only the new beginnings represented by the newborn but also the legacy and traditions that precede them. This blending of old and new creates a poignant narrative, highlighting the continuity of family heritage. The resulting images are imbued with a sense of depth and meaning, making them cherished keepsakes that celebrate both the individuality of the newborn and the enduring bonds of family.

3. Parent’s Occupational Items

Incorporating a parent’s occupational equipment into a newborn session adds a unique and personal touch that highlights the professional identity and passions of the family. Whether it’s a stethoscope for a doctor, a chef’s hat and whisk for a cook, or a camera for a photographer, these items connect the baby to the parent’s daily life and career. This creative approach not only personalizes the photos but also tells a story about the family’s lifestyle and values. The juxtaposition of professional tools with the innocence of the newborn creates a compelling and heartwarming narrative, capturing the essence of the parents’ world and their hopes and dreams for their child’s future. This thoughtful inclusion ensures that the photos are not only beautiful but also rich with personal significance and storytelling.

4. Special Blankets or Quilts

Incorporating special blankets or quilts into a newborn photo session adds a warm and personal touch, infusing the images with a sense of comfort and familial connection. These textiles, often handmade or passed down through generations, carry stories and memories that enrich the photographic narrative. A blanket crocheted by a grandparent or a quilt pieced together with care becomes more than just a prop; it is a symbol of love, tradition, and continuity. Wrapping the newborn in these cherished items not only enhances the visual appeal of the photos but also creates a tangible link to the family’s history and heritage. This thoughtful inclusion ensures the session is uniquely tailored to the family, producing images that are both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

5. Favorite Books or Collectibles

Posing a newborn with a parent’s favorite books or collectible items adds a deeply personal and meaningful layer to the photo session, reflecting the interests and passions that shape the family’s identity. Whether it’s a beloved classic novel, a whimsical children’s story, or a cherished collection of items like vintage toys, comic books, or memorabilia, these props serve to tell a story about the environment in which the child will grow up. Integrating these items into the session not only personalizes the photographs but also introduces the newborn to the world that holds special significance for the parents. This thoughtful approach creates a unique and endearing narrative, capturing the essence of the family’s hobbies and values, and ensuring the resulting images are treasured keepsakes that celebrate both the individuality of the child and the shared joys of the family.

6. Sports Memorabilia

Using sports memorabilia in a newborn photo session is a fantastic way to infuse the images with energy and a sense of family tradition. Whether it’s jerseys, hats, balls, or other gear from the family’s favorite team, these items can highlight a shared passion and create a fun, spirited atmosphere in the photos. Posing the newborn with sports memorabilia not only personalizes the session but also serves as a nod to family bonding moments spent watching or playing sports together. This approach adds a layer of storytelling, capturing the hopes and dreams parents might have for their child, including perhaps cheering for the same team or even playing the sport one day. The resulting images are vibrant and meaningful, celebrating both the new addition to the family and the cherished family traditions centered around sports.

7. Cultural or Religious Items

Styling a newborn portrait session with cultural or religious items is a beautiful way to honor and celebrate the family’s heritage and beliefs. These items, which can include traditional clothing, religious symbols, ceremonial artifacts, or culturally significant decorations, add profound depth and personal significance to the photographs. By incorporating elements like a handmade kimono, a christening gown, prayer beads, or intricate henna designs, the session becomes a rich tapestry of the family’s identity and values. This thoughtful integration not only enhances the visual storytelling but also connects the newborn to their roots, creating a tangible link to their cultural and spiritual background. The resulting images are not just visually stunning but also deeply meaningful, serving as a cherished reminder of the family’s traditions and the enduring legacy they wish to pass on to the next generation.

8. Seasonal Props

Using seasonal props to style a newborn session based on the time of year the baby is born adds a delightful and thematic touch to the photographs. These props, which can range from spring blossoms, summer sunflowers, autumn leaves, to winter snowflakes, reflect the natural beauty and characteristics of the season. Incorporating elements like festive holiday decorations, vibrant fall pumpkins, or fresh spring flowers not only enhances the visual appeal of the images but also creates a warm and celebratory atmosphere. This seasonal approach personalizes the session, marking the specific time of year the baby came into the world and embedding the photos with a sense of place and time. The resulting images are not only charming and unique but also serve as a beautiful reminder of the season’s ambiance and the joy it brought to the family with the arrival of their newborn.

Schedule Your Newborn Portraits with Photos by Ashleigh

Photos by Ashleigh is an experienced, expert newborn photographer who proudly serves the Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, including Moore, Norman, Newcastle, Tuttle, Yukon, Mustang, Edmond and The Village.

Capturing the precious moments of your newborn’s first days is a gift that lasts a lifetime. These early days are fleeting, and there’s no better way to preserve them than through the lens of a skilled photographer who can transform these moments into timeless memories. If you’re ready to treasure these irreplaceable moments and create beautiful keepsakes for your family, contact us today to schedule your newborn photography session. Let us help you create a visual story that will be cherished for generations to come. Reach out now and let’s make magic together!

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  1. Dorothy Reed says:

    I love the different ideas. I definitely would have overlooked these details. Thanks!

  2. Brandi Price says:

    Can we create the baseball photos with my teenage boys!?!? I love it so much!
    Newborn photos with mom and dads wedding rings are so precious. That is one of my favorites from my son’s baby photos.

    • Ashleigh Maxey says:

      Thank you so much, Brandi! My favorites are always wedding rings and sports photos for newborns as well!

  3. Carla Lehman says:

    Gorgeous, well planned and curated sessions that are a level up from a traditional newborn portrait. Incorporating heirlooms that tell a story of legacy get these babes off to a beautiful start!

  4. Jody Autumn says:

    These personalizations are so adorable and unique. I LOVE that you allow families to bring a special part of their lives into these memorable sessions. Stunning work.

    • Ashleigh Maxey says:

      Thanks so much, Jody! I love customizing newborn photos to fit each family’s unique style, hobbies and lives. It’s my favorite part of being a creative!

  5. Ashleigh, your newborn photography amazes me every time I read your blog! So many great ideas!

  6. Andrea says:

    Gotta love the cuddly newborn photos with the most precious sentimental items for mom and dad. They are all adorable. I love the baseball mitt the best!

    • Ashleigh Maxey says:

      Oh thank you so much, Andrea! That’s such a compliment coming from you! And the baseball mitt one is definitely one of my favorites too!

  7. Jodi Major says:

    Your custom newborn portraits are absolutely stunning. I love how you’ve captured special moments in these family’s lives!

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