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Are Posed Infant Photos Creepy?

I’m sure I’ll get bashed for saying this, but I always found Anne Geddes photos a bit creepy.

I can certainly see the appeal. Babies! In cute poses! With adorable props! What’s not to like?

However, I always found them distasteful. And from a quick Google search, I have discovered that I am not alone in this viewpoint. I still can’t pinpoint the exact reason for my discomfort when looking at these photos. Perhaps a reader can shed some light?

At the same time, I certainly have nothing against people who like Anne Geddes’ work. After all, beauty — and art — is in the eye of the beholder.


Andy and Angela from “The Office” pose Jan’s baby for an Anne Geddes-inspired picture

Although the Anne Geddes heyday has passed with the 90s, I was reminded of these photos while talking with a friend last week.

“Are you going to take maternity photos?” she asked.

“I know hiring a professional photographer to take maternity photos is all the rage right now, but I personally would rather spend the money on things for the baby. If I really want photos, I can just ask J to take them,” I replied. After all, J is turning out to be quite the photographer — he even gets regular “assignments” from a local park!

“What about a professional photo shoot for right after the baby is born?”

“The same. We can just take the pictures ourselves.”

“Okay, good, because I think those posed baby pictures are creepy. Not all of them, but the ones where it’s obvious that the baby is posed, or using props that are not an everyday part of the baby’s life.

Now, that was unexpected! While I think Anne Geddes photos are a bit weird, I personally don’t have a problem with the types of newborn photo shoots that are popular with so many new parents these days.

Curious to see if my friend was a lone voice in the crowd, I showed J some photos from a popular newborn photographer.

“Yep! Definitely creepy!” he pronounced. “When we take pictures of our baby, we’ll most certainly not do anything like that.”

I then showed the photos to my parents, who agreed with J.

“Why would you leave your baby naked and cold and uncomfortable like that just for some pretty pictures?” they asked. “And some of those poses and props look downright dangerous!

What do you think? Are posed newborn photos creepy?

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