newborn question

I'm still new to photography, but my goal is to eventually make a business of newborn, baby and kid photography. I've done several shoots for friends, but I have a lot more practicing to do. Anyway... in your professional opinions is there a market newborn photos that use natural poses? I've noticed that a lot of people like the photos of newborns hanging in stork sacs or with their head in hands propped up on their elbows... I'm just wondering if I need to do these poses in order to be competitive in the newborn market, or if there are a lot of people who don't ask for this type of pose. My favorite style is the sleeping newborn with a cute hat or headband, or nested in a textured blanket.

I'm not a "professional", but like you I do shoots for friends and family and I have my own two cents that I can share hopefully it's a little helpful.

I'm worried that following the trend of the stork sacs and such will burn out eventually. It is ALL you see when you search for newborn photos. As a developing photographer, I'd like to think that the best way to be competitive in the newborn market is to be unique and come up with your own trend. You might want to familiarize yourself with those common poses in case people ask for them, but "natural poses" like you mentioned will always be valued when done well. So, go ahead and mix it up in your own way, but also make good use of the classics.
ps: It may just be because I'm not experienced with using the hanging sacks, but they look a little dangerous to me! I always worry about their air supply being compromised.

ModestJo wrote in post #12598993
ps: It may just be because I'm not experienced with using the hanging sacks, but they look a little dangerous to me! I always worry about their air supply being compromised.

This is the reason I don't want to offer these poses. I'm sure the photographers that do this know what they are doing and that the baby is not in danger, but I get nervous with newborns and propping them in weird positions. I'm sure confidence comes with practice.

Thanks for your comment!

Exactly, I'm sure they have experience and secrets to getting those poses... I met a lactation consultant recently who could handle a newborn like nothing I've ever seen before LOL.
Anyway, you are right to stick to what you are comfortable with. Newborns can seem so fragile!

These poses are not dangerous at all, if you know what you are doing, although I suppose that is a pretty big caveat... In any event, no matter how creative and unique you get, you will always get customers who think selective coloring is the newest thing, rather than the dated fad that it is. I still have people wanting that "Anne Geddes Flower Thing", thinking that is the newest thing. You try to find the balance between the new and the old, the tried and the true and you can always add your own spin to what is currently the fad. For example, if shooting naked newborns on a boring pink or blue background is dated for you, try going for a more European funky patterns and saturated primary colors look. The trick is to add that to your shot without completely overpowering the baby. Really, is ANYTHING really new? Whether it is fashion, art, photography, it all gets recycled with a twist...