Twig & Olive
GARVER FEED MILL • MADISON, WI

Three Brothers and a Brand New Baby: A Garver Feed Mill Newborn Session

Three boys. Two of them bouncing off the walls, one of them sleeping like the world didn’t exist yet. That’s how this Madison Wisconsin newborn photographer session started, and honestly, it set the tone for the entire morning. This family of five came into our Garver Feed Mill studio in the middle of winter, and the energy was exactly what we love: a little chaotic, completely real, and full of warmth.

Sleeping newborn wrapped in a knit swaddle inside a wicker basket, black and white portrait

Controlled Chaos, Beautiful Results

We always say newborn sessions are calm. And they are, when it’s just the baby. Add two toddler brothers to the mix, and it becomes something else entirely. Those in-between moments, where a two-year-old is reaching toward a tiny hand while Dad steadies everyone, are the frames that end up meaning the most.

Two toddler brothers cuddling a swaddled newborn on a knit blanket with parents nearby

Our studio gives us full control over light and temperature, which matters enormously with a newborn. But it also gives us space to let families spread out. We pulled wide for the full family frames against that brick wall with the macramé, and we love what it gave us.

Family of five sitting together on a studio bed with brick wall and macrame, Madison newborn photography

Then the boys went off with Dad, and the studio got quiet. That shift is something we look forward to every time. One minute it’s a party, the next it’s just a sleeping baby and soft light and the kind of silence that makes you hold your breath. We moved through the solo portraits slowly: the wicker basket, the rust bonnet, the rattan nest. The baby set the pace, and we followed.

Sleeping newborn in a rust bonnet and wicker basket with boho studio details by Twig & Olive Photography

Tiny curled fingers. Toes peeking out of a cream knit wrap. As a Madison Wisconsin newborn photographer, we know these details fade fast, and we treat every single one like it matters. The final setup was our favorite: bear ear bonnet, chin on hands, dried bunny tail grass tucked around the basket. Simple, soft, and the kind of image that makes us remember why we do this work.

Collage of tiny newborn hands, toes in a cream knit wrap, and baby sleeping in a wicker basket

If you’re expecting and thinking about newborn portraits, picture your family here. The brick, the light, the space to let your kids be kids while we handle the rest.

Newborn in a cream bear ear bonnet resting chin on hands in a basket with dried bunny tail grass
Frequently Asked Questions about Newborn Photography at Garver Feed Mill

What makes the Garver Feed Mill studio a good spot for newborn sessions?

Our studio inside Garver Feed Mill gives us complete control over lighting and temperature, which is critical for keeping a newborn comfortable and safe. The space also has warm brick walls and natural textures that add character to every frame without needing elaborate props.

Can I bring my older kids to a newborn session?

Absolutely. We encourage it. Sibling portraits from these early days become some of the most treasured images in a family’s gallery. We build in time for the energy that comes with toddlers, and we always get quiet solo baby portraits too. Reach out and we can plan the timing together.

Your Story, Our Craft

Ready to Capture Your Baby’s First Chapter?

We’d love to plan a session that captures every tiny detail.

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