Sentimental Prop Ideas for your Newborn Session

Newborn Portraits Props

When planning out your newborn portrait session there are many ways to personalize it and to make it meaningful and special.  One of those ways is to use a sentimental prop in the session.  This could be a family heirloom or a special blanket or toy that would mean a lot to you as a parent or mean something special to a member of your family.  Below are just a few examples of props you can incorporate into your newborn portrait session that could bring it to the next level in terms of special.

1. Family Heirloom

This might be an antique rattle, spoon set or jewelry that has been passed down throughout generations.  It could be a knit shawl that belong to your great grandmother.  Family heirlooms are very sentimental and could be a special nod to past generations of your family

2. Blankets/Quilts/Wraps

When I had my first daughter, I was given a quilt by my mother that was made for me as a baby by my great grandmother.  It was very special.  I wish we had used it in a newborn photo session of my daughter.  Maybe you have a special blanket that every member of your family was wrapped up in when they came home from the hospital. Having a newborn wrapped or laying on a special blanket is a great prop for sentimental purposes.

3. Jewelry/Wedding Rings

Using a couple’s wedding rings has long been used in Newborn portraits.  Putting the rings in babies’ little hands or between their toes is a beautiful and special way to incorporate wedding rings.  The rings are a symbol of love and family and what a great way to use them in a newborn’s session. Any type of jewelry can be special to the parents.  For instance, using grandma’s pearls to lay around baby or maybe great grandpa’s watch would be a fun way to incorporate a special prop into the newborn session.

4. Special Outfits

Maybe you have an older child who wore a special outfit in their newborn session.  You can use it in the new baby’s session and start a wonderful tradition.  It could be an outfit that someone very near and dear to the family purchased for the baby or made for the baby.  What about an outfit that members of the family wore home from the hospital and carry’s a lot of special meaning to the family?  These are all great ideas on how to use special outfits in baby’s session.

5. Careers/Hobbies

A way to add a special touch to the session is to use items that symbolize a job or hobby for one or both of the parents.  For example, if one of the parents is in law enforcement, having the shield or hat in the photo would be such a touching way to honor the parent’s service.  It could be a military family and having a flag along with a symbol of the branch of service in the photo would also be a nod to their service.  There are also hobbies that parents have where adding in a prop from that hobby can personalize the image for the family. Some examples of both career and hobby props are: dog tags, sports helmets, a baseball, guitar, football, briefcase, camera, jersey, or hat, tie. These are just a few ideas.

6. Items from Parents' Childhood

A lot of times parents keep items from their childhood as mementos or special keepsakes.  Some examples: stuffed animals, clothes, your bassinet, dolls, a wagon, basket, blanket, etc. Any items from the past are a great way to bridge the gap between generations and tie in the family element to a newborn session.

7. Recreate a Parent or Sibling Photo

Parents might have a special photo of themselves as a baby or one of a siblings that they would like to recreate with their new baby.  These types of photos are a fun way to show the same pose with different generations of your family.

The above are just a few examples of sentimental props that can be used in a newborn session. When deciding props for your newborn’s portrait session, you don’t have to just stick to the same ones you have seen with other newborns.  Incorporating sentimental props into your session is a perfect way to personalize a newborn session and to make it even more special and meaningful. 

If you would like additional information about Newborn Sessions or are interested in booking a newborn session please contact me and I would love to send you my newborn portrait guide.

If you are interested in seeing other Newborn Portrait Information, see blog posts below: