If you’re anything like the parents who walk into my Glastonbury newborn photography studio, you’re excited…and a tiny bit nervous. “What if my baby cries the whole time?” I hear it every week. After 12 years photographing newborns, I can tell you with a smile: the unconsolable-all-session scenario almost never happens. In fact, it’s happened exactly three times in my studio—and each time the little one was dealing with reflux or gas. (If your baby has either, I have a gentle plan for that below.)
Most sessions feel calm, cozy, and surprisingly relaxing. A lot of that is preparation (I set the room to womb-like warmth and have white noise at the ready), but it’s also technique. Today I’m focusing on one technique I use constantly: the elevator move. It’s simple, safe, and backed by research on how being carried calms newborns. I’ll show you how it works, when to use it, and why it can soothe tears fast—so you can walk into your session with confidence.
Planning a session in Connecticut? As a Connecticut newborn photographer, I design every step—from the warm studio and gentle transitions—to keep babies content while we create timeless portraits.
Why Babies Calm When You “Ride the Elevator”
There’s a reason babies settle when we stand up and start walking: carrying triggers a built-in “calming response.” Studies in Current Biology show that infants experience coordinated reductions in crying, body movement, and heart rate when a caregiver carries them. This response shows up in humans and even in mice, suggesting it’s a deeply wired, mammalian behavior. Cell+2PubMed+2
In plain English? Gentle, rhythmic vertical movement = calmer baby.
The elevator move mimics the sensation of the body rising as you stand—without needing to pace the room for five minutes. Repeating that rise several times in a row interrupts crying and helps baby reset. It’s one of my first lines of defense in the studio.
The Elevator Move (Step-by-Step)
You’ll see this demonstrated in my videos (one wrapped, one unwrapped). I recommend watching and practicing with a calm baby before you need it.
• Video: Best Method to Stop Baby Crying — Elevator (Unwrapped)
• Video: Elevator (Wrapped)
How it works
Position baby safely. Hold your baby securely by placing baby’s bottom in one hand and supporting the head and neck with your other hand. (If wrapped, ensure the wrap is snug and airway clear.)
Soft knees, steady core. Sit or stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Keep your torso steady so your movements are smooth and baby’s neck stays supported.
Rise…reset…repeat. Smoothly straighten your arms 5–7 inches (think: riding an elevator up one floor), then return your elbows to a gentle bend. Do this in a calm, repeatable rhythm for 20–30 seconds.
Pause and read baby. Most babies soften within a handful of “rides.” If you hear a new cry pattern (gas pain, hunger), address that need, then try again.
Why it works quickly: You’re giving baby just the sensory cue they’re seeking (the “we’re moving, you’re safe” feeling) without overstimulation. It’s the essence of the carrying-induced calming response—delivered efficiently. Cell
When to Use the Elevator Move in a Photoshoot
Transition moments: moving from parents’ arms to a prop, or changing from one setup to the next.
After startle reflex: if baby jolts during a pose change.
Early fussing: before crying escalates; it’s easier to reset early.
When not to use it: If baby shows reflux discomfort (arching, grimace, wet burps), first pause to burp or hold upright; refluxy babies often need extra upright time after feeds per pediatric guidance. HealthyChildren.org+1
“Will My Baby Cry the Whole Time?” (Real Talk & Reassurance)
Here’s my honest studio record: in 12 years, only three sessions had prolonged crying, and all three babies had reflux or painful gas that day. Reflux is common and usually manageable with small adjustments (upright holds after feeds, gentler transitions). The AAP notes that distinguishing normal reflux from more serious concerns helps avoid unnecessary interventions; I build that awareness into our pacing and posing. HealthyChildren.org
If your baby is gassy, I’ll incorporate bicycle legs, tummy time breaks on a parent’s chest, and extra burp pauses—simple techniques pediatric sources recommend to help move gas along. HealthyChildren.org
The Calm-First Studio Game Plan (What I Do Every Session)
Warmth dialed-in: Babies relax in a toasty room, so I set the studio to womb-cozy temps and layer in a safe distance, gently-blowing space heater near posing areas.
White noise on low: Steady sound masks startles and mimics the womb hush.
Full-tummy timing: We plan the start of your session around a feed (I’ll give you a simple timeline in your prep guide).
Safe swaddling or secure wrap: Comfort + containment lets baby drift into that sweet sleepy place.
Micro-transitions: I move slowly and predictably; most changes happen with baby staying in contact with hands or fabrics they already feel cozy in.
Want more prep details you can do at home? Check my easy prep steps for a newborn photoshoot—parents tell me this guide lowers their anxiety before they even arrive.
The Science Corner (for my fellow data-loving parents)
Carrying calms quickly. Infants show reduced crying, reduced movement, and slower heart rates when carried. That’s the biological backbone of the elevator move. Cell
This response is conserved across mammals. Similar calming patterns occur in mice, emphasizing this is a natural, expected infant behavior. Cell
Newer research refines timing. A 2022 Current Biology study found that 5 minutes of walking with a caregiver soothed crying and 8 minutes of post-walk sitting improved sleep onset—useful when you’re soothing at home. The elevator move is a studio-friendly micro-dose of that carrying cue. Pure
Colic vs. reflux vs. normal fussing: If fussing follows feeds or includes frequent spit-ups and poor weight gain, pediatric sources advise checking with your doctor; otherwise, crying usually peaks by 6 weeks and improves by 3–4 months. HealthyChildren.org+1
Exactly How I Use the Elevator Move During Your Session
I spot the early cues. Yawns, rooting, “I’m done” wriggles—these are my green-light moments to pre-empt big tears.
I swaddle (if appropriate), then elevator. Ten to twenty gentle rises usually do the trick.
I layer the senses. If needed, I add a quiet “shh” and a palm on top of baby’s head with light pressure. (While many parents love the well-known “5 S’s,” we keep only the safe parts that align with pediatric guidance and our studio’s safety protocols.) PMC+1
I build calm into the flow. We plan the order—family pictures first, then individual portraits—so baby’s needs come first. (See what that looks like inside a Glastonbury newborn photography studio.)
What You Can Do (Before & During the Session)
Feed right before you leave home or on arrival if you can. A warm, full baby is a sleepy baby. (If baby is cluster-feeding, that’s okay; we roll with it.)
Dress baby in easy-on layers. I’ll guide the undressing/swaddling so baby stays cozy.
Trust the pauses. Short soothing breaks pay off with peaceful portraits you’ll love.
Tell me about reflux or gas. I’ll build in extra upright time after feeds and keep poses gentle. Pediatric guidance supports upright holds 15–20 minutes post-feed for reflux-prone babies. HealthyChildren.org
As a newborn photographer in Glastonbury, my goal is not just beautiful pictures—it’s a calm experience for your whole family. If you want to see how that looks in practice, peek at our newborn photography CT page.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How do you keep baby calm during the photoshoot if they start crying? I read the cues early and respond fast—usually with the elevator move, a secure wrap, and a brief pause for comfort. Most babies relax in under a minute. If crying seems reflux-related, we switch to upright holds and build in extra burping time per pediatric guidance. HealthyChildren.org
2) Will using movement now make baby need movement to sleep later? Short, gentle soothing during a session won’t “ruin” sleep habits. The calming response to being carried is natural; used wisely, it helps reset, not replace, normal settling. Cell
3) Can I do the elevator move at home? Yes. Watch my video for hand placement and rhythm. Keep movements smooth, support the head, and pause if baby shows discomfort. Pair with an upright burp after feeds if reflux is suspected. HealthyChildren.org
4) What if my baby has colic? We keep the room warm, the transitions slow, and the soothing frequent. Colic tends to peak by 4–6 weeks and improves by 3–4 months; our plan works with that reality while we build in extra comfort breaks. HealthyChildren.org
5) Is swaddling necessary? Not always. Many babies settle faster with a secure wrap because it reduces the startle reflex, but we can also soothe unwrapped (see my unwrapped elevator video). If you swaddle at home, follow safe techniques and always keep the airway clear. (Hospitals and children’s hospitals provide parent handouts on safe soothing techniques.) Lurie Children’s
6) When should we call our pediatrician about crying? Call if baby has frequent spit-ups with poor weight gain, cries after most feeds, or seems in pain—these can be signs of reflux or another issue. Most crying is normal, but trust your instincts. HealthyChildren.org
Final Encouragement (and Next Steps)
You asked, “how do you keep baby calm during the photoshoot?” The answer: we stack calm from the start—warmth, white noise, gentle wraps—and then we use the elevator move to interrupt crying before it builds. It’s quick, safe, and grounded in how babies are wired to respond when held and moved. That’s why those all-morning cry-fests are so rare in my studio.
If you’re expecting (or you’re already home with your newborn and ready to plan), explore:
