Incorporating Sentimental Items Into Your Newborn Session: A Personal Touch to Your Family Photos

by Elizabeth Lang Photography, Vancouver Area


Newborn photography is a special opportunity to capture fleeting moments of your baby’s earliest days. While these photos are always precious, there’s something extra special about incorporating personal and sentimental items into your session. These heirlooms not only enhance the aesthetic of your photos but also bring deeper meaning to the images, making them even more cherished for years to come.

As a photographer, I know how important it is to create a meaningful experience during a newborn session, which is why I always encourage parents to include items that tell a story. These personal touches create an emotional connection and transform a simple photo into a beautiful narrative.

When I had my own newborn photoshoot, I chose to incorporate some items from my own family to make the session even more meaningful. I used my baby’s grandfather’s baby blankets, his teddy bear, and hand-carved bowls passed down from my baby’s auntie. These heirlooms not only added a beautiful touch to the photos but also reminded me of the deep family ties that bond generations. I love seeing the joy and connection that these personal items can bring to your family’s photos as well.

Here are a few ideas of sentimental items you might want to consider bringing to your newborn session to make your images truly one-of-a-kind:

1. Family Heirloom Blankets & Quilts

A vintage baby blanket or quilt, passed down from grandparents or great-grandparents, can add a timeless and warm touch to your newborn photos. These blankets are often full of memories and history and can evoke a sense of family tradition. Whether it’s a hand-knit blanket or a delicate lace one, it will add texture, meaning, and a soft, cozy element to the photographs. Do you have your own baby blanket to include?

2. Special Stuffed Animals or Toys

A beloved stuffed animal or vintage teddy bear is a beautiful way to add nostalgia and personality to your session. These toys often hold sentimental value, especially if they were handed down through generations. They also provide an opportunity for you to include a personal story or memory in your photos, creating a powerful connection between your newborn and the family history. For example, my baby’s grandfather’s teddy bear was included in our session, a keepsake that will always hold a special place in our hearts. Do you have a special toy for your baby?

3. Wedding Gown or Veil

Your wedding gown or veil can be a beautiful and meaningful addition to your newborn session. This sentimental piece of clothing symbolizes the love and commitment between you and your partner, and it can make for stunning photographs. You could drape the gown or veil over your newborn, use it as a backdrop, or even wrap your baby in it for a sweet, intimate shot. This special piece can bridge the gap between the beginning of your journey as a couple and the new chapter you’re beginning as a family.

4. Heirloom Jewelry

If you have family jewelry—such as a grandmother’s ring or a necklace that has been passed down—it can add a touch of elegance and history to your newborn photos. These items often symbolize deep family connections and add emotional value to your images. You can gently place your newborn’s hand on a piece of heirloom jewelry or use it as a backdrop element for an intimate close-up shot.

5. Wooden or Vintage Toys

Incorporating vintage wooden toys or heirloom toys into your newborn session adds a playful, nostalgic feel to your photos. These items, which often have a simple, timeless design, can bring a sense of warmth and tradition to your images. If you have a hand-carved rattle, a wooden toy train, or an antique doll, these pieces can be used to tell a story of childhood that will be passed down through the years.

6. Hand-Knit Outfits and Blankets

Nothing is more special than a hand-knit baby outfit or blanket, whether it’s something made by a family member or a treasured find from your personal collection. These items not only provide comfort to your baby during the shoot, but they also tell a story of care and love, adding texture and color to your photos. A delicate crochet blanket, a hand-knitted sweater, or even a bonnet can create beautiful moments that are as sentimental as they are stunning.

7. Vintage Cribs or Baby Furniture

If you have an old family crib or baby furniture, it can make a beautiful backdrop for your newborn photos. These pieces are often filled with memories of previous generations and can add a sense of nostalgia and family history to the images. Whether you want to feature your newborn in a vintage bassinet or swaddle them in a family heirloom blanket, these props provide a beautiful, meaningful setting for your photos.

8. Personal Keepsakes & Mementos

You may also want to include small items like hand-carved bowls, as I did with my own session. These keepsakes often don’t get a lot of attention, but they carry great meaning. Whether it’s a cherished bowl, a small wooden toy, or any other meaningful memento, these items can add a rustic, personal element to your newborn photos.

Creating the Story of Your Baby’s Life

Incorporating personal and sentimental items into your newborn session can transform your photos from beautiful portraits to a collection of images that truly tell the story of your family. These mementos bring with them the love, care, and connection of past generations, making your newborn photos not only visually stunning but emotionally significant.

I’m so honored to capture these precious moments for families in the Vancouver area through my studio, Elizabeth Lang Photography. The best part of my work is witnessing how items like these bring extra warmth and meaning to each family’s story. These photos become more than just images—they are heirlooms in the making.

If you're ready to book your newborn session and create beautiful, meaningful memories, I’d love to help bring your story to life. Whether it’s through a vintage teddy bear or a hand-knit blanket, these personal items will ensure that your newborn photos are as unique and special as your family. If you have special items you would like to include please email me a photo so I can plan how best to include your items. Let’s make memories together!


YOUR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION WITH ELIZABETH LANG PHOTOGRAPHY