The Story Behind Tomato Photo’s Signature Black and White Newborn Photoshoot

[Updated in 2026]

How My Newborn Photography Journey Began

Well, it all started in 2008 during the birth of my son. See… I have always love Black and White photos and I even dedicated a Black and White Portrait portfolio page on my website. I was happily taking all sorts of photos of my few days old son. Lifestyle’ly type shots, detail shots of his hair, tiny toes, tiny fingers. More of those shots in my Newborn Photography portfolio.

During the sleep deprived state of mind at that point of time, somehow, I tried to connect the dots between achieving the ‘baby in the womb’ baby’s pose and putting it to live on the ‘outside’ in black and white.

Why Black and White Newborn Photography

Black and white images seem to be able to convey more feeling, texture as well as the organic feel of the newborn baby by removing the very instant gratification of colour.

Without colour competing for attention, our eyes naturally focus on expression, relationships and the moments that matter most. That’s why family portraits matters.

For this reason, some photographs feel even more powerful when presented in black and white.

Learning To Recreate The Womb Pose Safely

What inspire me to create those ‘baby in the womb’ images is from those ultrasound scans during my wife’s doctor’s appointment.

However, how to achieve it on the outside is still very much a question mark.

Putting lighting aside, managing newborn and curl them safely to get to the foetal pose takes a lot of practice.

It was then that I started to experiment with those poses, those lighting, those shots. It took me quite a while. Trying to hold baby’s foetal position on the ‘outside’ was no feat.

We explored various ‘props’. Going to the pharmacy to get a roll of bandage, using it as a ‘wrap’ with the hope of holding the foetal position.

The Challenges Of Marketing Newborn Photoshoots

After about a year in 2009, I was ready to do this. Now combining the lighting and the posing is a rather interesting combination.

Trying to convince clients to do a naked newborn shoot while they are still in confinement in the first few days instead of after the 1st month was a challenge in itself.

Challenging Post-Partum Traditions

Back in the 2008, the idea of “newborn” photography was a foreign one. Majority of people will be in confinement and not wanting to do much until baby is about a month old. Even without anyone who is doing it similar way, it takes a lot of learning on my own to create entire body of work.

However, knowing that newborn only resemble how the look like in the womb for very short time and with painful trial and error, we found 5-10 days are the most suitable to do what I hope to achieve.

The Challenges Of Photographing Newborns In Black & White

At first, I thought B&W images will be an easy way to capture, but soon I realised the images though seemingly just a flip of a switch from colour to monochrome, but I was never happy with the results.

Lighting Challenge – Newborn Shoots

To make things worst, shooting newborn from client’s home pose the challenge in the lighting the images properly. Some home are too bright, some home are too dark and some, natural light at home simply out of question.

Black & White Tonal Gradient Challenge – Newborn Shoots

I struggle a lot during those time to produce images that truly represent the beauty of the newborn in its purest form. The learning curve was steep and getting the consistent results with smooth gradient from bright highlight all the way to the shadow was an impossible task.

However, during these time, it is amazing how much I am experimenting with different ways from using soft curtain to soften the light, to technical black card, etc. Clients were raving how good the images were however, the quest to perfect the lighting is a personal journey.

Technical Challenge – Ideals Versus Reality

I mentioned previously that I love Black and White Photos.

Loving and achieving black and white photos are 2 very different skillset needed.

Its easy to love, difficult to achieve.

Too much contrast, the photo becomes too bright and too dark and the gradient drops off too much, too little control in light, the photo becomes flat and 2 dimensional. Of course, this journey of learning was a painful challenge.

I reach out to a mentor who specialises in B&W imagery and learn the hard way on how to create something that truly mine. I learn the technique, then modify the technique as photographing baby and normal portrait is rather different.

It is exciting that I am still learning today, the type of learning is somewhat different. The days where posing baby was a challenge are gone. The days where inconsistent lighting are gone. What I am focusing after nearly 2 decades of learning this genre is how to create more brilliant images for clients at a comfortable duration.

Shoot Duration Challenge

I used to take 4-5 hours to shoot, because I need to learn and today, 1-2 hours is all we need to create a set of beautiful images gallery for your baby. With lesser time, I can see parents are less tired by end of the shoot and results in better family shots.

Shooting newborn nowadays are more like catching up with friends, sharing some parenting ideas, showing new parents how to manage their new baby while let them have set of images that they can cherish and as part of the legacy that they want to capture and preserve.

How Newborn Photography Trends Have Changed Since 2008

Over the years, I have seen significant shifts in newborn photography trends. It all started with Anne Geddes and her beautifully curated baby images that found their way into calendars and publications around the world.

It is worth noting that Anne Geddes photographed for publication and often had a team supporting the production. As newborn photography grew in popularity, a more natural and minimalist style emerged, followed by an explosion of props such as bowls, swings, weighing scales and other themed setups.

The trend then evolved further with specially crafted blankets, wraps, hats and accessories. Newborn prop makers became a newborn photographer’s best friend. At one stage, it almost felt like there were more prop makers than newborn photographers. Photographers eagerly searched for the latest wraps, the perfect bowl or the newest handcrafted accessory to bring a different look to their work.

These days, the trend has expanded even further into digital compositing, where babies can be photographed and later placed into elaborate scenes ranging from snow-covered forests to fantasy-inspired landscapes. The possibilities are limited only by imagination.

Interestingly, the core idea behind my newborn photography has remained largely unchanged since 2008. It began with a fascination for the newborn baby in its purest form; curled up much like how they existed in the womb. As new props became available, prop-based newborn images became an addition to our work rather than the focus of it.

For families looking for timeless, premium newborn portraits, it is often the baby-focused images that continue to resonate most strongly. While props can certainly add beauty and visual interest, many parents tell us afterwards that their favourite photographs are the simplest ones — the images where all attention remains on their baby.

Perhaps that is why I have never fully embraced every passing trend. The light and airy sets, floral arrangements and elaborate props can be beautiful. However, props often remind me of fashion. They represent a particular period in time, much like shoulder pads or bell-bottom trousers. We may look back on them fondly, but they are often tied to a specific era.

A newborn, on the other hand, does not change. The way a baby curls naturally, the tiny fingers, delicate features and peaceful expressions remain timeless. That was the inspiration behind my work in 2008, and it continues to guide my approach today.

Why My Approach Has Remained The Same?

When I reach deep down into my very vision why i started all these, it comes down to capturing newborn in their purest form. Form that only exist in the very womb of every mother. Trend come and go, the way how baby exist in mother’s womb don’t. I am glad after a decade, the very images that I created still relevant today and very much being request again and again.

My original vision for newborn remain true today… that is to beautify a simple form of newborn pose that mimic the very position in the womb. Something, that even time won’t be able to change it… The truth is I would like to create something so timeless that it will be a legacy that can be passed down in generation. Noble? nope, selfish? yup, totally… but for a good reason.

When Is A Best Time For A Newborn Photoshoot?

The ideal time for a newborn photoshoot depends on the style of images you hope to create.

For my signature “baby in the womb” portraits, I will recommend photographing newborns between 5 and 10 days after birth. During this short window, babies are typically sleepier, naturally curl into foetal-like positions more easily, and are generally more comfortable being gently posed.

For parents who prefer a more natural, connection-focused session featuring cuddles, feeding moments and family interactions, newborn photography can be done anytime from birth up to around 5 weeks of age.

I generally recommend avoiding the second and third week where possible. During this period, many babies experience growth spurts and become more alert, unsettled or sensitive, making it harder to achieve the sleepy, curled-up poses often associated with newborn photography.

That said, every baby is different. The most suitable timing ultimately depends on your baby’s temperament and the type of photographs you would like to create.

During our consultation, we’d be happy to advise on the best timing for your family.

Browse Our Signature Black & White Newborn Photography Collection

Here is a collection from my signature newborn series. A body of work inspired by the simple beauty of a baby in the womb. While these images may be a little different from today’s trends, they remain at the heart of my vision for newborn photography.

If this approach resonates with you, I invite you to explore our Newborn Photography Portfolio, where you’ll find more examples of these timeless newborn portraits. As children grow, many families return to document the next stages of their journey through our Baby & Children Photography Portfolio, eventually building a visual story that becomes part of their family’s legacy. You may also wish to browse our Family Photoshoot Singapore portfolio to see how these early memories evolve into meaningful family portraits over the years.

For those interested in learning more about the person behind these images, you can also read more about Hart Tan and the journey that shaped my approach to newborn photography.

If you believe that one of the greatest gifts you can give your newborn is a set of simple, natural and timeless photographs, feel free to give us a call or WhatsApp us for a chat. We’d be honoured to help transform these fleeting moments into tangible memories that can be treasured by your family for generations to come.