Welcoming a baby is universal. But how families celebrate? That can look wildly different.
From Finland to Nigeria and everywhere in between… Parents are drawing inspiration from global newborn traditions for their celebrations. And these practices are becoming increasingly popular.
Here’s the thing:
Modern families want more than cookie-cutter photos and standard baby showers. They want deeper meaning. Connection to their roots.
That’s why Washington DC newborn photography sessions are increasingly featuring cultural elements, family heirlooms, and multi-generational traditions.
Let’s take a look at what families are bringing into their newborn celebrations. And how you can document your own family’s treasured traditions with newborn photography.
What You’ll Learn
- Why global newborn traditions are trending
- The most popular newborn traditions getting trending
- How to incorporate newborn traditions into newborn photography
- Tips for making newborn traditions work for your family
Why Global Newborn Traditions Are Trending
The world is more connected than ever before. And families are rediscovering the customs their grandparents and great-grandparents once practiced.
As families become more globally minded, there is a renewed desire to honor that heritage when it comes time to welcome a new baby into the world.
In fact, according to the Photography Business Institute’s 2025 trends report, 68% of families now specifically request multi-generational and cultural elements in their newborn photography sessions.
Studio newborn photography sessions have expanded to include these requests. Photographers are becoming more familiar with different cultural practices. And photographers are learning to honor those traditions through their photography.
Whether that means traditional textiles and heirlooms. Family posed with multiple generations. Or specific religious or spiritual symbols.
Personalized elements that tell the family’s unique story.
Pretty cool, right?
The Most Popular Traditions Gaining Traction
Let’s dive in and see which newborn traditions are families are celebrating in their newborn sessions.
Red Egg and Ginger Parties (China)
In Chinese culture, a baby’s first celebration is held on the first full month of life.
Family and friends come to bring gifts to the newborn. But here’s the twist…
The new parents actually give their guests red-dyed eggs and pickled ginger in return.
Red represents happiness and good fortune. The oval shape represents longevity. The egg itself symbolizes the transition and changing process of life.
This fun tradition has been becoming more popular among families wanting to honor their Chinese heritage and culture in Washington DC newborn photography sessions.
The Naming Ceremony (Japan)
Japanese culture has a unique tradition of waiting until the seventh night after birth to publicly share a baby’s name with family and close friends.
Japanese parents traditionally host a small get together with family and close friends on this day. Both sets of grandparents are typically included in the gathering. A special meal is prepared. But instead of cooking, the mother is encouraged to sleep and rest while her parents and in-laws make everything.
It’s a sweet and meaningful way to mark a baby’s official entrance into the family.
Another interesting Japanese newborn tradition is nakizumo.
This is an adorable friendly crying competition. Families bring their one-year-old babies head to head. The first to cry is the winner.
Since crying is seen as a sign of good health in Japan. The fastest crier wins.
Omugwo (Nigeria)
Once a Nigerian baby is born, the grandmother steps in to take care of the household.
She helps with all the household chores. She watches the baby through the night. And she massages and pampers the new mother.
The message from omugwo is simple. A mother will not raise her baby alone. Grandmothers are here to help.
Finland’s Baby Box
Finland loves their babies.
When new mothers return home from the hospital, they find a box filled with all the essential baby items waiting on their doorstep.
The box itself is designed to be the baby’s first bed.
This tradition has been around for 75 years and ensures all babies have an equal start in life.
The Salt Bath (Turkey)
Turkish newborn babies are traditionally welcomed with a bath that includes salt.
The salt represents purity and strength.
The belief is that the salt will ward off illness and instill babies with strong character. Turkish women give birth and then drink a traditional sweet beverage to celebrate. Called lohusa serbeti, the drink welcomes new mothers and marks the beginning of motherhood.
How To Incorporate Newborn Traditions Into Newborn Photography
Okay… Let’s get to the good stuff.
Photographing newborn traditions in Washington DC is becoming a way for families to document their special heritage visually.
The global photographic services market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2024 to 2034. Reaching USD 64.68 billion in total by 2034.
Why?
Families see photography as a way to document these meaningful moments and traditions for the future.
So how do families weave their traditions into their newborn photography?
Bring Meaningful Items
Whether it’s a sari your grandmother gave you before she passed away. A handmade blanket you knitted yourself. Traditional clothing and textiles. Religious symbols.
Bring items that tell the story of your unique family.
Include Multi Generations
Nothing quite says family like including grandparents in newborn photos. The emotional depth that comes with multi-generational portraits is so special. It connects the baby to the family heritage visually.
Photograph The Actual Ritual
Some families want to document the actual tradition taking place with newborn photography. Others recreate elements of that tradition in a studio setting. Both approaches can work well.
Try Using Traditional Textiles and Colors
Kente cloth. Embroidered textiles from Mexico. Kimono silks. These traditional fabrics can bring a special level of cultural authenticity to any newborn photography session.
Key point… Talk with your photographer about what elements are most important to include. Plan well in advance.
Making Newborn Traditions Work For Your Family
Not every newborn tradition will be right for every family.
Remember, the goal is not to blindly follow customs or do everything exactly the way your ancestors did it.
The goal is to find traditions that have meaning for your family.
Meaning that resonates with your family’s values today.
Here are a few tips for figuring out how to do that.
Research Your Heritage
Talk to older family members about what they remember from their own traditions. There may be things your family no longer practices that you’d love to bring back.
Adapt Traditions For Modern Life
While it can be fun to follow customs as they were originally practiced, the core meaning and intent matter more than doing every single step.
Create New Traditions
Try blending elements of different cultures. Or create something completely new that just feels like your family.
Document Everything
Photos of traditions become family treasures. Pictures that future generations will study to try and figure out who you were.
The point is… It’s okay if a newborn tradition isn’t perfect for you.
Or even better… You come up with something new.
Try it. See how it feels for your family.
Wrapping Things Up
Newborn traditions from around the world are having a major resurgence in recent years. Families want more than the standard baby celebrations and cookie-cutter photography.
Connection to their heritage. Meaning in how they mark the beginning of a new life.
Whether that’s Chinese red egg parties. Nigerian omugwo customs. Or Finnish baby boxes… There are so many ways to weave your heritage and unique family story into the celebration of new life.
Washington DC newborn photography has expanded to include cultural elements, family heirlooms, and multi-generational poses.
Photographers are increasingly working to understand different cultural practices. Photographers are learning to honor those traditions through their newborn photography work.
The result?
Photos that tell a family’s story. Portraits that preserve and document heritage and family history for the future.
Images that future generations will treasure.
The bottom line?
Whether families follow centuries-old customs. Create new traditions of their own. Or blend both together… Celebrating a new life in ways that are authentic and meaningful is a wonderful gift to both the new baby and the parents.
One worth capturing with photos.
