Sweet Photos of Newborns at the Center of Handmade Mandalas

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Today, creatives are coming up with new ways to reimagine the mesmerizing mandala. Though the sacred design is rooted in ancient traditions, contemporary artists and designers have breathed new life into the age-old motif, culminating in creations ranging from paper cut-outs to pie crusts. Photographer Gabriele Dabasinskaite of JustGaba Photography has taken this trend to an all-new—and adorable—level, snapping photos of sleepy newborns surrounded by the swirling symbol.

Like traditional newborn photography, Dabasinskaite's work features days-old babies as they don sweet outfits and snooze in cute poses. Unlike other baby photos, however, this ongoing series incorporates one-of-a-kind arrangements inspired by the natural world. Composed of colorful leaves, fresh flowers, tangled moss, and other organic materials, these mandalas enclose the little ones in radiant rings of nature that represent the “love that surrounds us all.”

Foregoing Photoshop for a rustic approach, Dabasinskaite spends anywhere from two to four hours handcrafting the backdrops. Once she is pleased with her handiwork, she places the sleeping baby in its center and shoots, culminating in snapshots that reflect “the reality of our lives on nature’s canvas.”

Prior to her career as a photographer, Dabasinskaite worked in graphic design. When she became a mother, however, she stumbled upon a new passion: photography. “After I had my three wonderful children, I experienced a kind of love I had never known before,” she explains. “It is this love that I try to illustrate through my photography.” With her children as her inspiration,Dabasinskaite captures newborn subjects in a way that feels—and looks—natural.

Gaba Dabasinskaite's newborn photos feature sleepy babies set against beautiful nature mandala backdrops.

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

Nature Mandala Newborn Photos Gaba Svarbu JustGaba Photography

JustGaba Photography: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Gaba Dabasinskaite.

Related Articles:

Land Artist Arranges Stones and Leaves Into Mesmerizing Mandalas and Spirals

Interview: Photographer Who Suffered Infant Loss Captures Sweet Shots of Sleepy Newborns

Beautiful Mandalas Made from Nature by Kathy Klein

Ancient Origins of Henna and How Contemporary Artists Keep It Thriving

Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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