One of the questions I get asked from time to time is "what exactly is a set up?" That question is prompted after viewing my packages (newborn, milestone, and one year) which each offer different number of sets for the variety of options.


My simple answer is that the set ups are the different looks we do.

Breaking further into that, Im getting as many photos as possible from each set. Think horizontal/vertical; wide; tight; from the shadows; etc.


A lot of milestone and one year sessions do two set ups (and two outfits if preferred) which is great because it offers the opportunity to create a great variety.

The newborn packages each offer different amounts of set ups (Full, 6ish; middle, 3; mini, 2).

The three main categories are:

  • Family (where we can definitely do everyone/siblings/baby with just mom and just dad)
  • Prop (basket/bucket/etc)
  • Blanket posing (the ones with baby laying usually on their tummy on a stretched out blanket) and I will typically aim for 2 or 3 poses within that set up. Each pose will also create quite a few photos/angles.


So if we're doing a middle studio session (definitely my most popular), its usually looking like family, prop, blanket poses. But if a family doesn't want to do the family/parent shots then usually we'll switch that out with another prop. It's definitely what would give us the most variety and that's always a big goal for me.

The full session is kind of 'everything' - Im usually aiming for 2 props, 2 blanket colors (and usually 2 poses on each), detail shots (toes/lips/profile/etc), and family.

This type of session (posed studio) is often sleeping shots but I can work with what baby wants to do. If they want to hang out and see the world, I love getting to send those galleries out because you get such a fun mix of expressions and movement.


Simple studio is all in the white space. So, I am often doing family there and then a small variety of blanket posing (on the tummy, side, wrapped), detail shots, and a basket prop. Its also more baby led so if we have an alert baby then were focusing on open eye shots.


I hope this was helpful and look forward to talking more through your baby's photos soon!



Here's some studio posed sessions. Definitely not all the images but does show what kind of mix we got from different family dynamics and color preferences.

A sleeping newborn baby rests peacefully on soft blue fabric with gentle lighting in a studio portrait setting.
A family of five poses together against a white backdrop wearing coordinating blue and white outfits.
A tender moment captured as a mother in a cream sweater holds and gazes lovingly at her sleeping newborn baby wrapped in white.
A black and white photo series showing tender moments between a parent and child reading together in bed.
A sleeping newborn baby swaddled in soft blue fabric lying in a white wooden crate on a knitted blanket.
A sleeping newborn baby wrapped in soft white knit fabric against a light blue background.
A family in coordinating blue outfits sits together on a couch during a casual photo session.
A sleeping newborn baby in white knit wrap lies peacefully on a soft gray background in a series of gentle poses.
A series of tender close-up photos showing a parent gently kissing a sleeping newborn baby in white.
A family of four poses together against a white background wearing light colored clothing.
Sleeping newborn baby wearing delicate white floral crown rests peacefully on cream textured blanket.
A series of black and white photos showing two young children in white clothing embracing and sharing tender moments together.
A loving family moment with parents gazing adoringly at their newborn baby in a white onesie against a light background.
A series of intimate black and white family portraits showing tender moments between parents and their newborn baby.
A sleeping newborn baby wrapped in soft white blankets photographed from different angles in a peaceful setting.
A sleeping newborn baby wearing white swaddle wrap rests peacefully on a textured cream-colored blanket.
A family sits together on a white bench, wearing coordinated casual outfits while holding a small black puppy.
A baby lies swaddled in soft white blankets, creating a gentle and peaceful newborn portrait.
Black and white portrait of newborn wearing delicate headband on white blanket.
Newborn baby wearing a delicate headband and lace diaper lying on soft white fabric.
Newborn baby wearing lace headband on soft white backdrop.
Mother in grey shirt with tree tattoo holds swaddled newborn against white background.
A newborn baby wrapped in soft white lace fabric gazes at the camera with bright eyes.
Family portrait in white clothing against neutral background showing tender embrace.
Peaceful sleeping newborn wrapped in soft mint green fabric lying on pink textured background.
A newborn baby wearing a white bow headband is held lovingly in white clothing against a light background.
Sleeping newborn baby wrapped in soft pink blankets in a peaceful pose during professional photoshoot.
Newborn baby wearing white swaddle rests peacefully in woven basket surrounded by delicate pink flowers and greenery.
A person in white loungewear and pink bow relaxes on a cream colored couch while reading.
A sleeping newborn baby wearing a delicate gold headband rests peacefully against a soft pink background.
A sleeping newborn baby wrapped in white blanket rests peacefully in a cozy knitted basket.
Sleeping baby wearing pink bow headband rests peacefully in white bedding with delicate floral details.
A series of four white-toned family portrait photos showing tender moments between parents and children against a light background.
A sleeping newborn baby swaddled in soft white blankets rests peacefully during a professional photo session.
A sleeping newborn baby swaddled in light gray fabric rests peacefully on a soft turquoise textured blanket.
Peaceful sleeping newborn baby nestled in a woven basket with light blue wrapping.
A close-up view of a sleeping newborn baby's face with soft, delicate features in gentle lighting.
A child in a blue floral dress gently embraces and kisses a swaddled newborn on white bedding.
A baby wrapped in a soft white knit blanket gazes at the camera in a series of gentle expressions.
A person wearing a blue shirt holds a sleeping baby wrapped in white blankets.
Happy family portrait against white background showing parents with two young children.
A soft pink and beige abstract background with blurred gradient effect creates a gentle, dreamy atmosphere.
A tender moment captured as a mother gently kisses her sleeping newborn baby wrapped in white and blue blankets.
Close-up photo of tiny newborn baby feet resting on soft white textured fabric with gentle pink lighting.

Examples of simple studio. Again, no where near all the images but it gives a glimpse into the way they're shot. You've also likely seen different galleries I sent in the original email that will help you understand how the difference between simple studio and the posed sessions (above). The biggest differences are colors and if you had a different prop request (like the head resting on hands in a bucket or something similar), that would fit better in the posed sessions.

The light is another differing factor. My goal for the white space is a window type feel. (Its not) but a natural light vibe.

Intimate black and white portrait of family with newborn against white background.
A peaceful sleeping newborn baby wrapped in soft white fabric with a delicate white bow headband.
A woman in a white eyelet dress holds a sleeping newborn baby wrapped in white against a light background.
A peaceful sleeping newborn baby wrapped in soft white blanket wearing delicate headband in black and white portrait.
Close-up view of tiny pink baby toes against a white background.
Parents in white clothing tenderly holding their newborn baby against minimalist backdrop.
Sleeping newborn baby lying peacefully on white background in soft natural light.
A series of black and white photos showing tender moments between a couple embracing and holding their newborn baby.
A family wearing coordinated outfits in white and tan poses together against a white backdrop for studio portraits.
Two children share a tender moment on white bedding, with one wearing a pink dress and showing joyful expressions.
A series of tender embraces and joyful moments captured in soft, warm lighting against a white backdrop.
A sleeping newborn baby wearing a delicate headband lies peacefully on white bedding in four different poses.
A sleeping baby wearing a white headband with a flower lies peacefully on white bedding.
A sleeping newborn baby swaddled in white fabric lies peacefully in a woven basket during a professional photoshoot.
A toddler in a pink dress smiles and gestures playfully in a series of candid studio portraits.
A child in a pink dress leans over white bedding while playing and smiling.
A series of candid family photographs showing tender moments between parents and children in casual home settings.
A tiny baby swaddled in white fabric with a white bow headband lies on a textured white blanket.
A black and white photo collage shows tender moments between a parent and child in various candid poses.
Three tender moments captured in sequence showing a young child in pink leaning over to look at a baby in white.
A series of joyful family photos showing siblings lying together on white bedding while smiling and hugging.
A sleeping newborn baby swaddled in white fabric wearing a white bow headband on soft textured blanket.
Detailed macro shot of a baby's delicate facial features with soft pink skin tones.
A newborn baby wrapped in white swaddle blankets lies in various poses on neutral backgrounds.
Close-up portrait of a newborn baby wearing a white bow headband against a light background.