Wrapped Only vs. Full Newborn Sessions: Which is Right for You?

When it comes to newborn photography, one of the most common questions parents ask is what type of session best fits their needs. At Lisa Poseley Photography, we offer two main types of sessions for capturing your baby’s first days: the wrapped only newborn session and the full newborn session. Each option has its own unique benefits, depending on what you envision for your baby’s first portraits.

To help you choose, let’s break down the differences between these two sessions and what each experience offers.

What Is a Wrapped Only Newborn Session?

A wrapped only newborn session focuses on simplicity and comfort. In this session, your baby remains snugly swaddled in soft wraps for all poses, creating a cozy, peaceful environment where they feel secure. The wrap keeps their tiny hands and feet tucked in, resulting in beautifully serene images where the focus is entirely on your newborn.

Here’s what you can expect from a wrapped only session:

Duration: These photo sessions tend to be shorter—typically lasting about 1 hour—making them perfect for parents who want to capture those first days but prefer a quicker and simpler session.
Poses: The baby stays wrapped for all poses, which means we can gently move them from pose to pose without disturbing their comfort. These sessions often feature posed shots of your baby on soft blankets, baskets, or cradled in other props, all while remaining wrapped.
Focus: The focus is entirely on your baby, with no unwrapped poses, sibling shots, or parent involvement. The wrapped poses are ideal for capturing the newborn’s peaceful, sleepy expressions in a way that highlights their tiny features.
Best For: Families who want a quick, uncomplicated session that still provides beautiful images of their newborn. Wrapped only sessions are also great for babies who may be more sensitive to being handled or for parents looking for a more budget-friendly option.

A wrapped session is perfect for those classic, serene images where your baby looks adorable and peaceful, swaddled up in soft, neutral tones or colors of your choice. This session's simplicity lets your newborn's beauty take center stage.

What Is a Full Newborn Session?

A full newborn session is a more comprehensive photography experience, giving you a wider variety of poses including the entire family. These sessions include a mix of both wrapped and unwrapped poses, family portraits, and sibling shots, giving you a broader collection of images that document this special time.

Here’s what you can expect from a full session:

Duration: Full newborn sessions usually last between 2.5 to 3 hours. The extra time allows for a relaxed atmosphere, giving us the opportunity to include multiple setups, poses, and breaks for feedings or soothing.
Poses: These sessions offer more variety, including both wrapped poses and unwrapped “table” poses. The unwrapped poses include popular setups like the froggy pose, where the baby’s head rests on their hands, and the head-on-hands pose, showcasing your newborn’s delicate features.
Family Involvement: A full session includes newborn family photos with parents and siblings. These images capture the emotional bond between your family and your newborn, preserving the memory of those first days when everyone is getting to know the newest member of the family.
Siblings: We’ll also capture heartwarming photos of your baby with their older siblings. These sibling shots are often some of the most cherished, showing the special bond developing between your children.
Best For: Families who want a variety of images, including classic newborn poses and family portraits. This session is perfect for parents who want a full collection of photographs to commemorate this time, and for those who want to incorporate multiple setups and creative poses.

In a full newborn session, we go beyond the simple swaddled poses to explore unwrapped poses that showcase your baby’s sweet expressions and adorable newborn details. We also make sure to capture those first moments of family togetherness, from parents cradling their new baby to siblings bonding with their new brother or sister.

Which Newborn Session Should You Choose?

Deciding between a wrapped only session and a full newborn session depends on what you want from your photoshoot experience and what you hope to capture.

Choose a Wrapped Only Session if you’re looking for a quicker, streamlined session that focuses exclusively on your baby. This is perfect for parents who prefer a simple, classic look and want a calm, efficient photoshoot without additional poses or family involvement.
Choose a Full Newborn Session if you want a complete photography experience with a wider variety of poses and the inclusion of family members. Full sessions give you more opportunities for creativity, allowing us to capture both individual portraits of your newborn and emotional family moments.

All newborn sessions include black and white baby portraits

Both the wrapped baby only and the full newborn sessions include the always favorite black and white ‘mugshot’ portraits!

Final Thoughts: Capturing Your Newborn’s First Days

No matter which type of session you choose, your baby’s first portraits will be a beautiful and lasting memory of this incredibly special time. At Lisa Poseley Photography, we’ll work with you to create a session that fits your vision, whether you’re drawn to the simplicity of a wrapped session or the variety of a full newborn session. Both options result in stunning, timeless images that will be cherished for years to come.

To see examples of each session, check out the gallery below, where you can find images from both wrapped-only sessions and full newborn sessions. These examples will give you a better idea of what to expect and help you envision which type of session is right for your family.