Exploring the Evolution of Newborn Portraits from 2009 to 2015 | Andover, MA Photographer Celebrating 16 Years Behind the Lens

A collage of behind the scenes photos from a newborn photographer out of the Boston area

Back in 2009, when I first opened Crabapple Photography, the concept of professional newborn portrait photography was still emerging. Sure, parents had always snapped photos of their babies, but dedicated newborn portrait sessions in photography studios were just beginning to take off.

In those early days, only a handful of photographers nationwide specialized in newborn photography as we know it today. This was also when iconic poses like Froggy, Taco, Side Lying, and Chin on Hands first became popular. These foundational styles are now newborn photography classics, but at the time, they were groundbreaking.

Before this era, many families waited until the 3-month mark for baby portraits, once babies could hold up their heads. A popular pose was “tummy time” with a blanket draped overhead (still a favorite for recreations today!).

Most newborn photo sessions were designed for birth announcements or framed prints on the wall. Social media hadn’t yet become the digital gallery it is now, Facebook was around, but still growing. And with fewer props and accessories available, photographers got creative with what they had. This was the true newborn stage of the newborn photography industry itself!

Newborn twins sleeping in a basket with matching purple and blue knit hats
Newborn baby with oversized purple pom-pom hat sleeping on a white blanket
Sleeping newborn on a dark purple blanket wearing a brown knit cap
Peaceful newborn on white wrap, curled up sleeping
Sleeping newborn baby with red flower headband on white blanket
Newborn girl with green and pink crochet hat sleeping on soft white fur
Baby in purple knit bear hat, head resting on hands, laying on dark blanket
Peaceful baby on a fuzzy blanket with brown crochet hat
Yawning baby in light blue knit hat wrapped in white fur
Newborn baby girl sleeping with a soft flower accessory and white wrap
Black and white photo of newborn baby posed on parent's arm and hand
Baby girl with red flower accessorized brown hat lying on side
Newborn baby with pink pom-pom hat in a wicker basket
Close up of tattooed arms of a father holding newborn baby with black background
Newborn laying on their stomach with a bright red bow on their back sleeping on a fluffy blanket
Newborn baby in colorful owl hat sleeping on a white blanket
Newborn girl with teal and pink flower headband sleeping on hot pink background
Baby wrapped in white swaddle with grey knit bonnet, laying on white textured surface

Then came Pinterest, and everything changed.

When Pinterest launched in 2012, it transformed how parents planned newborn sessions. Suddenly, it was easy to “pin” inspiration and come to a shoot with a vision board of favorite poses, props, and color palettes. This sparked a wave of creativity and ushered in new styles in baby photography.

From 2013 to 2015, bright lighting, high contrast, and carefully coordinated color themes became the norm for newborn portrait sessions. Bold accessories like oversized bows and chunky knit hats were all the rage. Swaddles made from dyed cheesecloth were the go-to choice for many photographers, adding rich texture and playful color to every frame.

Props were still relatively minimal, but textured blankets played a big role in styling, helping babies to “pop” against the backdrop. Pink and purple were top picks for baby girls, while blues reigned supreme for boys. One of the biggest skills I honed during this time was artfully posing newborns in their parents’ arms. I wanted to ensure that the baby remained the star of the show while highlighting that beautiful parent-child bond.

Back then, contracts were printed on paper and payments came by check! It’s wild to look back now in this digital era, but I still remember how thrilled I was each time someone inquired about newborn portraits, let alone booked a session.

Newborn baby sleeping on cream fur blanket with soft white bonnet
Baby lying on a stack of suitcases with brown wooden background
Newborn swaddled in light green loose knit wrap on white blanket with flower headband
Newborn girl in light pink swaddle artfully wrapped
Baby girl wrapped in pink, sleeping in a dark wooden crate on dark wooden floor
Sleeping baby facing the camera, with chin propped on arm, wearing a double pom pom knit hat
Close-up of baby boy sleeping on soft blue blanket and facing camera
Newborn baby in vintage black pram with light background
Sleeping baby in blue knit hat resting on green blanket
Unswaddled baby in blue hat with light gray ribbon on white background
Baby girl in white lace swaddle and matching bonnet on soft pink blanket, eyes open
Smiling newborn in rustic wagon with holiday theme and subtle Christmas decorations
Newborn baby girl in burgundy headband sleeping in a wicker basket
Black and white photo of parents holding their newborn baby and smiling softly, not looking at camera
Newborn boy with blue knit wrap nestled in brown fur
Baby sleeping and looking at camera, chin propped in hands and wearing a white knit hat with a dark background
Newborn sleeping on their belly on a white blanket with a light beige loose knit swaddle artfully wrapped
Minimalistic newborn portrait with baby on belly against white background
Newborn lying on a light knit blanket with a brown blanket placed on his back, all on a dark wood floor
Simple and off-center photo of a baby posed on white blanket with purple floral headband
Newborn girl in a white dish with red bow headband
Baby girl awake and looking at camera surrounded by cream and brown large flowers on a light brown fur in cozy brown wrap
Newborn with purple wrap sleeping in a rustic basket with moss
Baby girl with a large and cozy knit bonnet inside fluffy nest prop
Newborn baby laying on his side in a wooden box with brown background
Close-up of baby's face in soft pink knit wrap with flower headband
Black and white portrait of newborn baby sleeping peacefully
Baby girl with purple flower headband posed with hands under chin
Vintage pram with newborn wrapped in deep red blanket
Baby boy with blue wrap yawning in circular straw nest

16 Years of Experience You Can Trust

Looking back at these early years of newborn photography evolution reminds me just how much has changed, and how much I’ve learned. When you book a session with me today, you’re not just hiring a photographer. You’re investing in 16 years of hands-on experience, creative growth, and a deep understanding of how to safely and beautifully capture your baby’s first moments.

And the best part? If you can dream it, I can likely bring it to life, so long as it’s safe and comfortable for your little one, of course.

Each photo above holds a special place in my heart and marks a step in the journey that led me to where I am today.

Crabapple Photography is a full service portrait studio located in Andover MA. We serve clients from around the area including the Greater Boston, North Shore, and Merrimack Valley areas. Contact Kate today to learn more. And follow along on Instagram and Pinterest to keep up to date on the Crabapple happenings!

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    Welcome to Crabapple Photography!

     

    I’m Kate, and I’ve been capturing family portraits since 2009. I specialize in photographing newborns, babies, and families with a fun, relaxed approach.

     

    My style is clean, whimsical, and full of thoughtful details.

     

    My cozy studio is located in Andover, MA, and I proudly serve families throughout the North Shore, Greater Boston, and Southern New Hampshire. I also offer on location outdoor sessions for those who love a natural setting.

     

    Let’s create something beautiful together. Contact me today!

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