When I started specializing in newborn photography nine years ago, I had no idea that a dog bed for newborn photography would become one of my most-used props. I know—it sounds a little ridiculous, right? But hear me out. As photographers, we’re constantly balancing where to invest our hard-earned money versus where we can get creative with budget-friendly alternatives. Today I’m breaking down what’s worth the investment and what you can absolutely DIY without sacrificing quality.
For local Boise families reading this: this is definitely a behind-the-scenes peek at professional newborn photography that shows why hiring a pro matters. We invest in specialized equipment and training to create safe, beautiful images—but I’ll also share some tips if you want to capture your own baby photos at home.
The Big Investment Props (Worth Every Penny)
Hello Little Props: My Go-To for Newborn Posing Aids
If you’re going to invest anywhere in your newborn photography business, invest in quality posing aids. I’ve tried various brands over my 9 years with babies and Hello Little Props is hands-down my favorite for safety and versatility.
Here’s what I own from Hello Little:
- Bucket poser – essential for those classic bucket shots
- Shape Shifters in different sizes – because babies come in all shapes and these posers allow you to grab what you need for the perfect positioning for a tiny 5lb-er as well as a giant12lb-er
- Brand New clingers – these little strips of fabric are incredible! Struggling to get baby to keep their feet just right? Snag one of these guys for the perfect shot.
The reason these are worth the investment? Safety, consistency, and they hide beautifully under blankets and wraps. I’ve tried so many different posing aids over the years, and the cheaper alternatives have this frustrating tendency to slip out from under baby during posing. Hello Little props stay put and tuck seamlessly under fabrics—which means less time in Photoshop and more confidence during the session.
The Swaddle Pro: The Quick-Wrap Secret
Another investment that’s paid for itself hundreds of times over: Swaddle Pros. I use both the clingers and Swaddle Pros depending on the baby’s size and what my workflow needs that day. I call them Spanx for babies because they hold everything in place and keep baby cozy and secure. If you’re a whiz at wrapping you might not need these but for me they are an absolute must- particularly for a fussy wiggly baby.
The Budget-Friendly Alternatives (That Actually Work)
The Famous Dog Bed Setup
Let me address the elephant in the room—or rather, the dog bed in the studio. There are plenty of expensive newborn posing tables on the market, some costing upwards of $1,000. The Paloma Schell “Plus Station” was marketed as the premium option with rigorous safety testing.
But here’s what happened: multiple photographers reported their Paloma Schell tables collapsing during sessions with babies on them. One photographer paid $963 for a table that collapsed with a 2-week-old baby on it just weeks after purchase. The company had known about safety issues since December but never notified customers or issued any public warnings.
This terrifying incident reinforced something I’d already been doing—using a simple, sturdy dog bed elevated on a custom PVC stand. Not only is it a fraction of the cost, but it’s also incredibly stable, doesn’t have moving parts that can fail, and has proven itself through hundreds of sessions in my SE Boise studio.
So no, using a dog bed for newborn photography isn’t just about being budget-conscious—it’s actually a safer, more reliable choice than some “professional” alternatives that cost 20-30 times more.
My current setup includes:
- A large dog bed from Amazon (around $30-40)
- A custom PVC stand my husband built that elevates it off the floor (saving my back during those 2-3 hour newborn sessions)
- Heavy-duty pacer magnets that attach to my magnet wall for creating seamless backgrounds
The beauty of the dog bed is that it provides the perfect amount of cushioning for baby’s comfort while giving you a stable surface for posing. Plus, it’s easily movable—essential when I need to clear space for maternity sessions in my SE Boise studio.
DIY Tip for Families: If you want to try newborn photos at home, a firm dog bed covered with 3-4 soft blankets can work as a safe, comfortable surface. Just never leave baby unattended, keep one hand on them at all times- and please, spring for a new bed. Your baby (or your clients baby) doesn’t want to share with the dog!
Alternatively, take the crib mattress out and place directly on the floor next to a window with soft diffused light coming through. Cover in 3-4 blankets and you have the perfect DIY set up for overhead shots.
Blanket Puddle Poses: Splurge vs. Save
I absolutely love my Perfect Posie that I’ve had for years for creating those gorgeous blanket puddle shots. It’s a professional-grade posing pillow that creates beautiful dimension and safely supports baby all the way around their tiny bodies.
But here’s the truth: you can achieve similar poses with:
- A Boppy pillow (most new parents already own one)
- A rolled towel under the blanket
- The Newborn Nerds nest (also a great option if you’re willing to splurge)
The difference? The Perfect Posie gives me consistent, predictable results every single time. But when I was starting out, I definitely used rolled towels and they worked just fine.
My Unique Studio Setup: The Magnet Wall System
One of my favorite investments for my custom-built studio was installing a huge piece of metal in the wall– creating a magnet wall. (My contractors thought I was nuts) I had it painted black, and now I use heavy-duty pacer magnets to hold fabric backgrounds in place.
Why I love this system:
- No heavy rolls of paper hanging from the ceiling
- No storage issues with backdrop stands or a ton of clamps needed
- The magnets work perfectly with my dog bed table top to create seamless sweeps
- Clean, professional look in my lifestyle studio
The Dog Bed Integration: Those same heavy-duty magnets attach the backdrop fabric, which drapes over my elevated dog bed setup to create a perfect seamless sweep for newborn posing. It’s the best of both worlds—professional results with a budget-friendly base.
What’s Worth the Investment vs. DIY
After photographing hundreds of newborns, here’s my honest breakdown:
Worth the Investment:
- Quality posing aids (Hello Little Props)
- Specialized wrapping aids (Swaddle Pross, Clingers)
- Safety equipment and training (newborn safety certification, Hello Little Education, IPS Classes with Gaby Chung)
- Professional-grade blankets and fabrics (they photograph better and last longer and again… Hello Little is my go to here)
Safe to DIY:
- Posing surfaces (dog bed for newborn photography)
- Background support systems (PVC stands, magnet walls)
- Some blanket puddle alternatives (Boppy, rolled towels)
- Simple props (baskets from thrift stores, wooden bowls, etc. Just make sure there aren’t any sharp edges and don’t ever use glass or other breakable containers)
For Fellow Photographers: The Real Talk
I’m not going to pretend I have all the answers—Even after years I’m still figuring this business out just like you are. But what I’ve learned after 9 years specializing in newborns and 17 years as a professional photo editor is this: invest in the essentials- like the posing aids that will be absolute game changers for your work then when you have so many clients you don’t know what to do with yourself have some fun buying specialty headbands, tiny pillows and lovies. Because while those things are fun, they don’t make you a better photographer, they just make you a prop hoarder (and probably a broke one).
The newborn photography groups I’m in on Facebook are full of photographers trying to figure out how to make this work in today’s economy. Boise’s newborn photography market averages 24% below the national average, so finding ways to keep quality high while managing costs matters.
For Boise Families: Why This Matters to You
You might be wondering why I’m sharing all these behind-the-scenes details. Here’s why: understanding what goes into professional newborn photography helps you see the value in the investment.
When you book a newborn session with a professional (especially here in the Treasure Valley), you’re not just paying for someone to click a camera. You’re investing in:
- Specialized safety training and equipment
- Years of experience knowing how to soothe fussy babies
- Professional-grade props and setups
- The peace of mind that your baby is in expert hands
That said, I absolutely encourage new parents to take their own photos too! Use your smartphone, grab that Boppy pillow, and capture those everyday moments. Professional photos and DIY photos serve different purposes—both are valuable.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re a photographer building your newborn business or a new parent in Boise considering a professional session, the key is understanding where quality matters most. That dog bed for newborn photography sitting in my studio? It’s proof that you don’t need to spend thousands on every single piece of equipment, sometimes simple works even better.
Invest wisely in safety and the tools that make your job easier. Get creative with everything else. And if you’re a local family looking for professional newborn photos, come visit my studio in South East Boise and see some of this equipment in action. I promise the dog bed looks much more professional in person than it sounds!
I’m Paige McLeod, owner of Glean & Co Photography in Boise, Idaho. When I’m not photographing newborns and families in my SE Boise studio, I teach editing techniques through Glean & Co Education. Whether you’re a photographer looking to improve your newborn workflow or a Boise family wanting to preserve these fleeting moments, I’d love to connect.
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