If you’re just getting started in newborn photography and wondering how to get that soft, natural look, this tutorial is for you.
Newborn and maternity photographer Evie Lynn Deaton is known for her calm energy and clean, natural style. Her studio is cozy, quiet, and perfectly set up to keep sleepy babies and new parents comfortable. In this video, she breaks down her simple lighting and posing to help beginners capture consistent, beautiful results, proving that with a little prep and patience, anyone can create portraits families will cherish.
Pre-Shoot Prep: Setting the Stage for a Calm, Successful Session
Preparation is important when working with newborns. A little planning before the shoot helps both the photographer and the parents have a stress-free experience.
- Keep the studio warm. Evie sets her studio between 80-85°F, which mimics the cozy environment babies are used to. A small space heater aimed nearby helps keep them calm and sleepy while posing.
- Create a soothing environment. Use a white noise machine or a “shusher” to help block out sounds and keep the baby relaxed. These little touches go a long way in creating a peaceful studio.
- Parent prep matters. Evie asks parents to keep the baby awake for 45 minutes to an hour before the session, often by giving them a bath. Then, feed the baby right before leaving for the studio. This usually results in a sleepy baby ready for those soft, curled-up poses when they arrive.
- Outfit tips. Ask parents to dress baby in snap or button-up clothes instead of pullovers. It makes outfit changes easy without waking the baby.
- Gear prep. Have all gear charged, tested, and ready to go. Double-check your strobe, trigger, and camera batteries before the family arrives. Evie says, “Babies are the boss,” so you’ll want to be ready to adapt quickly once the baby is asleep and comfortable.
- Camera settings. For newborn sessions, Evie prefers shooting wide open around f/2–f/2.2 to get that creamy, soft background. Her shutter speed is usually around 1/160–1/200, and she keeps the ISO low (100–125) to keep her images clean and free of noise. She often uses prime lenses, a 50mm for most portraits and a 35mm when shooting overhead.
Evie’s Simple Studio Setup
Lighting is where consistency and control come in. Evie prefers to use strobes over natural window light, and her go-to setup includes the Westcott FJ400 II strobe paired with the 7-foot White Bounce Umbrella with two layers of diffusion.
Why choose strobes? Evie explains that strobes give you consistent white balance and exposure across the entire shoot, something natural light can’t guarantee. “If the sun goes behind a cloud or tree, your white balance and exposure are constantly changing,” she says. With a strobe, your light stays steady no matter what the weather is doing outside.
Strobes also mean you can photograph newborns any time of day, whether the sun is shining or not. The FJ400 II is cordless, giving Evie freedom to move her light around the studio as needed without worrying about tripping over cables or finding outlets.
To mimic the look of window light, Evie uses a 7’ white umbrella with two diffusion covers. The size of the umbrella creates a big, soft light source, and the extra layer of diffusion removes hot spots and helps even out shadows.
During her sessions, Evie tethers her camera to an iPad so parents can see the photos appear in real time. It keeps them engaged and excited while she works and helps them appreciate the process.
Table Poses: Lighting for Soft, Dreamy Images
If the baby arrives sleeping, Evie starts with table poses. She stresses that safety and comfort always come first. If you need help keeping baby supported, ask a parent to assist. You can easily Photoshop out hands later.
For the lighting, Evie sets her light at a 90-degree angle to the baby, slightly above eye level, keeping baby’s face turned toward the light. “If baby’s face turns too far away, the light won’t hit evenly and will look too dark,” she explains.
She keeps the baby positioned in line with the bottom quadrant of the umbrella, allowing soft spill from above to gently illuminate the baby and background. This creates beautiful falloff and soft shadows that give shape without being harsh.
If you notice deep shadows on the far side of the face, slightly rotate the light toward 45 degrees, but Evie’s signature look usually sticks close to that side-lit 90-degree setup for a natural, window-like glow.
Family Poses: Build a Fast and Easy Flow
Family shots are a special part of every newborn session, and Evie has a simple flow that keeps things moving. She starts with Mom and Baby, then brings in Dad for the full family portrait, and finishes with Dad and Baby alone. This method gives her variety without having to reset lights or change setups.
Evie keeps parents in that same bottom section of the umbrella light, which gives a soft, flattering look across everyone’s faces. She shoots from a ladder or higher angle for these poses, making sure she can focus on the baby while keeping both parents in frame.
She reminds photographers to gently guide parents into position rather than just giving verbal cues. “It’s easier to adjust them physically than to explain every detail,” she says. This keeps the shoot smooth and helps families feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
Wrap Poses: Soft, Natural Light Made Simple
Once the baby is wrapped, Evie transitions into simpler, swaddled poses. These setups are great because they’re faster and keep the baby calm.
Evie recommends having the light come from the top of the baby’s head, not from the feet. Lighting from below creates unflattering shadows under the chin and nose. She shows how uplighting can make the image look unnatural, always make sure your main light is above the baby’s face, angled down slightly.
A small change in your camera angle makes a big difference. For wrapped poses, shoot slightly from above the baby’s face for a natural, flattering look. Shooting too low can create an unwanted “up-the-nose” effect.
Once you find the right angle and keep your light soft and natural, wrapped poses become one of the easiest and most rewarding parts of a newborn session. They’re simple, safe, and a great way to capture calm, timeless portraits parents love.
Prop and Bucket Poses: Safety First
The final part of Evie’s newborn workflow includes props and bucket poses, often a favorite for parents. But she reminds photographers that safety must always come first.
Before setting the baby into the bucket or prop, Evie poses them in her hands to make sure they’re comfortable. Once she feels the baby relax, she transfers them into the prop.
Always have a spotter, a parent, assistant, or even a second shooter, within arm’s reach. Evie uses a simple “1-2-3” count so the spotter knows exactly when to lift their hands for the shot and when to place them back down. “It only takes a second for a baby to move unexpectedly,” she says.
Make sure you are using safe props only. Check all props for rough edges or anything that could harm the baby. Evie uses soft supports inside the bucket to keep the baby comfortably positioned.
Evie’s Newborn Photo Lighting Takeaways
Newborn photography takes patience, gentle handling, and good light. Evie Lynn Deaton’s approach proves that you don’t need a huge studio or complicated gear to get professional results.
By keeping your setup simple, one strobe, a large soft modifier, and careful light placement, you can create natural, consistent images every time. The Westcott FJ400 II strobe and 7’ diffusion umbrella give Evie the freedom to shoot any day, any time, with beautiful soft light that looks just like daylight.
The biggest takeaway? Keep the baby safe, comfortable, and warm. Prep your gear. Use soft, diffused light from above. Work in a steady flow from table to family to wraps and props. With these newborn lighting tips, you’ll be ready to build a reliable workflow and capture portraits parents will love.
Looking to improve your family photography?
Check out Mastering Family Portraits: Pro Tips for Posing, Lighting, and Location Scouting, featuring photographer Michele Celentano. Michele shares her process for creating natural, connected portraits of the whole family.
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