Joseph Herbert Gee – Newborn Portraits Full of Family Meaning

NewbornNewborns

Nov 8

Welcoming baby Joseph Herbert Gee was such a joy! Born on October 3, 2025, weighing a sweet 10 pounds, this little guy was all coziness and calm during his session in my Elk Grove home studio. His parents, Alaine and Curtis, wanted his photos to reflect not just his gentle personality but also the special connections he has to family and the hobbies they love. From soft neutrals to meaningful props that honor both of his grandpas and parents, every setup told a piece of Joseph’s story.

Storyboard collage featuring newborn baby Joseph Herbert Gee in yellow, blue, and cream themed setups at Shawn Spencer Photography studio in Elk Grove.

Soft & Serene Cream Setup

We started Joseph’s session with a classic neutral setup — a cozy cream wrap paired with a matching knit hat. He was so relaxed and peaceful as he snoozed on the fluffy fur backdrop. The soft tones and textures created a timeless look that really highlighted his tiny features. We also added a sweet touch with a “Love You to the Moon & Back” prop and his little teddy bear for a comforting, sentimental feel.

Newborn baby boy Joseph Herbert Gee wrapped in cream knit blanket with hat, lying on soft fur rug with moon prop and teddy bear during studio session in Elk Grove.

Sweet Heart Pose

For the second setup, we placed Joseph in a small wooden heart bowl resting on top of the soft yellow fur from the first scene. This combination added warmth and texture while creating a natural transition between the neutral and golden tones. The heart-shaped prop was the perfect way to symbolize the love surrounding this little guy. Wrapped snugly in cream, Joseph looked perfectly content—showcasing that simple, timeless beauty I adore in newborn portraits.

Newborn baby boy Joseph Herbert Gee wrapped in cream blanket and posed in a wooden heart bowl on yellow fur during his studio newborn session in Elk Grove, California.

Sunny Yellow Details

For a cheerful pop of color, we moved into a bright sunflower yellow theme. The color not only added warmth but symbolized joy and light — a perfect way to celebrate new beginnings. Joseph looked adorable wrapped in yellow, clutching a tiny plush toy, surrounded by golden tones that made his skin glow beautifully.

Newborn baby boy Joseph wrapped in yellow blanket holding a small white toy, surrounded by golden tones for a sunflower-inspired newborn photo session.

Classic Blue Setup

We also incorporated a soft baby blue setup — one of the colors mom specifically requested. Dressed in a fuzzy white sleeper, Joseph looked extra cozy as he rested peacefully against the blue backdrop. The tone felt classic and clean, giving his portraits that fresh, timeless newborn charm.

Newborn boy Joseph Herbert Gee in fuzzy white outfit on baby blue backdrop, captured during classic newborn photo setup by Elk Grove photographer Shawn Spencer.

Family Hobbies & Legacy Details

This part of the session was especially meaningful. Alaine and Curtis wanted to include props that celebrated both sides of their family and the hobbies that hold sentimental value.

We started with a soft cream blanket and teddy — a nod to comfort and tradition. The blanket held a very special meaning for Alaine and Curtis; in their culture, it was wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree the year before as a wish to have a baby in the coming year. Including it in Joseph’s session felt like a beautiful way to honor that hope fulfilled — a reminder of how their long-awaited dream finally came true.

From there, we added a toy car and tiny fishing props to represent the hobbies of both grandpas Joseph is named after. These thoughtful touches brought a beautiful generational connection into his portraits.

To honor mom and dad’s own interests, we styled another scene featuring vintage cameras, old game remotes, and a basketball — a perfect way to showcase their creativity and fun-loving spirit. Seeing these details come together made this portion of the session feel so personal and special.

Newborn baby Joseph Herbert Gee posed with toy car, fishing props, and soft teddy bear blanket to represent family hobbies during his Elk Grove newborn session.

Baby boy Joseph posed with basketball, vintage cameras, and game remotes to represent his parents’ hobbies during his newborn photoshoot in Elk Grove.

Snug in Baby Blue

For the next look, we wrapped Joseph in soft blue and placed him in a rustic wooden box surrounded by plush animals and layers of wool in blue and yellow. His tiny smile peeked through a few times, melting everyone’s hearts. This setup perfectly balanced warmth and texture while keeping the focus on Joseph’s sweet expressions.

Newborn baby boy Joseph Herbert Gee wrapped in blue blanket with soft plush animals and wool layers in cozy newborn setup at Elk Grove studio.

Swing Setup

The swing setup was one of mom’s special requests — and it turned out beautifully! Surrounded by greenery and soft golden tones, Joseph looked so peaceful in his light blue romper. This setup added a fun, whimsical touch while still keeping the session cohesive with the color palette.

Newborn baby boy Joseph Herbert Gee in light blue romper posed on a hanging swing with greenery and yellow backdrop at Elk Grove newborn photography studio.

Family Portraits

We finished Joseph’s session with family portraits, capturing the proud smiles of mom and dad as they held their precious new baby. These tender, love-filled moments are always some of my favorites — seeing the connection between parents and their newborn is something truly special.

Why I Love Sessions with Personal Touches

Every newborn session tells its own story, but what I loved most about Joseph’s portraits was how personal each setup felt. From honoring both grandpas to including props that highlight mom and dad’s hobbies, this session was full of meaning. It’s such a joy to help families create images that not only celebrate a new life but also reflect the stories and legacies that come with it.