Wexford Newborn Baby Photographer | A Baby Led Photo Session

“A baby led photo session? What does that even mean!?”


As a Wexford newborn baby photographer that does baby led photo sessions, I’m going to explain that in this blog post along with some (ok, a LOT) of photos from a recent photo session with an adorable three month old baby boy and his parents in their lovely home.

You may have heard the term ‘baby led weaning or feeding‘ which means that you allow the baby to feed themselves solid foods as they are ready. Well, some baby photographer(s) borrowed that term for baby led portraits or baby led photo sessions. In my opinion, what this basically means is that the baby runs the show.

Baby led photo sessions are also known as natural, organic or lifestyle newborn photo sessions. With this kind of photo session you will rarely see a baby “posed” into some of the popular poses that are common amongst studio newborn photographers.

Instead of seeing baby posed in a basket, crate, etc., you will most likely see images of baby in the comfort of their parents arms or laying in a natural (baby led) position on the floor, in a crib, cradle, etc.

I always jokingly tell Moms that their baby is in charge of the session. If their baby wants to be held, then I have Mom or Dad cuddle and hold him while I take pictures. If baby seems content and comfortable, then I will take pictures of him alone. If baby is restless and unable to fall asleep, they may just need a diaper change and a short feeding to comfort them and lull them off to sleep.

Whatever baby needs, we take the time to address those needs and I work and photograph around those needs. And because I do not pose babies, there is no need for baby to fall into a deep slumber for me to pose them! It is 100% ok if baby wants to be held most of the time.

In a majority of my photos, you will find the baby in the safety and comfort of their parents arms.

However, when baby is settled and sleeping, or awake and content, I will absolutely get photos of baby alone!

But, I really love to include the whole family in most of my images!

After doing posed newborn sessions for many years, I find that this kind of newborn sessions is less time consuming and less stressful for parents.

Another perk of baby led newborn sessions is that it’s more than ok if baby is a few weeks or even a few months old!

I love that Mom and Dad waited until he was a little older to schedule their session. Although I love to photograph teeny tiny newborns, there is just something about getting to photograph a new baby just as they start making eye contact and giving Mom and Dad those big gummy smiles.

As a Wexford newborn photographer, I absolutely loved photographing and chatting with this couple and their precious baby boy! I love that this Momma chose me as their newborn photographer to come to her home because she preferred my lifestyle newborn photography over a posed photo session.

I know that a lifestyle or baby led photo session is not for everyone and that is totally ok! If you want to find a photographer that poses your baby, I will be happy to refer you to some of my favorite portrait photographers in the Wexford and Pittsburgh areas! However, if you think this kind of relaxed and laid back newborn photo session is more your style, then please reach out to chat, get more details and to get on my schedule!

Do you have questions or concerns about a newborn photo session?
Please get in touch to ask me anything or to book your session!  

Here’s some other blog posts about newborn photo sessions that you may find helpful!

I’d love to connect with you over on Instagram! 

~All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography ~

Mary Beth Miller Photography has over twelve years of experience and specializes in lifestyle newborn photography in Pittsburgh, PA including Wexford, Cranberry Township, Warrendale, Gibsonia, Zelienople and many of the surrounding areas.