How to Build a Posing Table For Your Newborn Sessions

If you are at all skeptical about switching to a table for your newborn sessions, you are not alone. I’ve heard wonderful things, but it feels risky to change what you’re doing! For me personally, the decision to switch was a necessity. I have a herniated disk in my back which has flared up several times over the last year. The bean bag requires a lot of bending over. It was really hard on my back which was more noticeable during months that I was especially busy. After a lot of physical therapy work, I realized that if I didn’t change how I posed my newborns, I wasn’t going to heal properly. The height of a card table is exactly what I needed! Right before we moved to Prosper, I decided it was time to make the switch. I have been using my table for about a month now and I love it! I am able to safely get beautiful portraits for clients AND save my back. Total win.  Here’s a step by step look at how to build a posing table for your newborn sessions.

The “Problem” With the Table

For the longest time, I just couldn’t understand how to clip my posing fabrics to the table. I felt like there was only way to achieve what I wanted. I would have to attach a rod to the wall and clip the fabrics there. Here at AHP, I am ALL about safety with my babies. To be honest, nothing about that sounded safe, so I couldn’t justify switching to the table. I finally heard another photographer say that she recycled her pipes and attached them to table so that she had a place to clip her blankets. What a GREAT solution! With that in mind, I wanted to show you how I recycled my pipe posing stand and used the pipes to create a newborn posing table.

Building Materials

• Heavy Duty Adjustable Table 
• 1/2 inch pipe cut in 5 pieces ( 2 24 inch pieces, 1 48 inch piece, and 2 18 inch pieces)*
• 4 1/2 inch elbow pieces of pipe
• Drill (and drill bits, screws not needed)
• 4 1/4 in-20 3 inch screws
• Nuts and washers to match the screws

*I was able to use my old pipe posing stand and simply recycle the pipes. I did cut them a bit shorter, but otherwise, I didn’t need to buy anything new for that! Major win!

Step By Step

How to Build a Newborn Posing Table For Your Newborn Sessions

Okay, y’all. I just have to say that you CAN do this yourself. This is very easy and most definitely something that a beginner DIYer can accomplish alone! I packed up all my stuff and headed to the studio. I was SO proud of my doing this myself!  My challenge to you is to do the very same! Give it a shot, I’m confident that you can do it!

1. Flip the table upside down. Lay the 2 24 inch pieces of pipes at each of the short ends.

2. Using your drill and drill bit, drill two matching holes through the table and pipe simultaneously. You may need to clamp the two things together while you drill. Be sure to use a drill bit that is the same size or a smidge larger than your screws. Repeat this process on both ends of the table.

3. Secure the pipe to the table with your screws, nuts, and washers.

4. If you haven’t already, attach two elbows to one end of each pipe. Be sure to have the elbows facing up on the same side of the table.

5. The last step is just adding your final pipes! The two small pieces will connect to the elbows. Next, add two more elbows and the longer pipe piece. Now you’re done! Just five steps and that’s it!

Aimee Hamilton specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, and family photography in the Frisco, TX area. Aimee serves all areas of DFW including Dallas, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Prosper, Celina, Little Elm, McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Plano, Highland Park, Southlake, and Keller. We also have an upcoming announcement with details about a new studio in North Dallas coming soon! I’d love to chat with you about photographing your family!