tips for taking your own newborn photos at home | dc newborn photography
I am doing something a little different in this blog post! Instead of using photos of past family sessions I am actually using a baby doll to show you how you can take your own newborn photos at home. My baby girl will be here in August and since she isn’t here yet I have decided to use this baby doll! I wanted to be able to create tutorials and tips for you to be able to do at home in case you’re unable to book a newborn photographer. Since my baby isn’t here yet I hope this is just as helpful!
The COVID-19 pandemic is a very difficult time for the world right now and it can be very challenging to have to socially distance yourself from friends and loved ones for the safety of your family. Photography is not considered an essential business so I hate that some families have to miss out on being able to hire a photographer to capture their family’s memories.
if you’re wanting photos of your newborn but it’s not possible to book a photographer, keep reading for tips on taking your own newborn photos at home.
These photos were taken with my camera, but you can get similar results of newborn photos even with a cell phone!
turn off overhead lighting
Lighting is everything! I recommend turning off all overhead lighting and lamps. It may be good to spend a few days watching where the best light is in your home. This can be your master bedroom, the nursery, the sibling’s room, or even the living room! It’s likely you can find an area in any of these rooms that have enough natural light to use when taking your own newborn photos at home.
open the blinds
When you open the blinds, you are letting in more of the natural window light that helps to create a great image. I was in the guest bedroom of our home and knew the light was great in this room so I opened the blinds and it helped me find where the good light was.
find a clean space
This bed was actually covered in laundry right before taking these photos and my biggest motivation to putting away all of the laundry was knowing I would be able to show you how to photograph your own newborn. I hate putting away laundry but it really helped me move a little faster!
A good space to take your baby’s photos can be on a bed, on a rug, a chair, or really anywhere that allows a clean surface and background that helps the focus to be on baby. Take a look around your home and find a place that isn't cluttered because it will likely be in your photo which may take away the focus of newborn portraits.
use window light
Place your baby towards the window in order to get the most light on your baby and stand to the side where you aren’t blocking the window light. Your baby may favor looking to the left or the right so it may take you a minute to see which area to place your baby so that the light from the window is on the baby’s face. This baby doll favored her right side so I placed her to face the window on her right side. This is a good way to be able to get a well lit portrait image of baby’s face.
use blankets or patterns
If you’ve seen my newborn or family work, you know I’m a fan of color, texture, and patterns so I used the pattern of the duvet cover for these photos. If you prefer to have a simple look, you can pull back your bed comforter and you likely have a solid light color underneath that may help get a neutral look if that’s what you’re looking for. You can also gather baby blankets and arrange them and place the baby on top if you want more texture and patterns. You can also use a colorful swaddle if your baby is calmer in a swaddle.
use a spotter
It may be a good idea to use a spotter when taking these photos at home. These were taken on the edge of the bed so make sure to have someone stand to the side to take extra precaution about your baby’s safety.
photograph different angles
Sometimes we take several photos from the same angle and we can forget how easy it can be to move around. Get your baby where you want him/her and move around taking different angles. Many of these you can do without moving the baby!
Here are a few more angles to help getting a variety of photos of your newborn!
take a portrait
I highly recommend this angle to get a great portrait image of your baby’s beautiful face!
shoot from the side
Get down to be on the same level as your baby and shoot from the side. You can take some close up images of the side of her face or you can back up a little and get more of her body in the photo.
shoot into the window
I didn’t move baby but instead I moved to the other side of the bed to get these. I love this angle because it changes the lighting. In the previous photos the light is pretty evenly lit on baby’s face, but this angle puts baby in more shadows and contrasts with the bright window.
shoot from above
I would recommend a spotter for this image. And be very careful with whatever you are using to photograph baby, whether your cell phone or camera. Hold onto the device securely for this angle.
Make sure to remember to rotate to get horizontal and vertical images of this overhead angle!
capture the details
Get those fingers, toes, eyes ears and nose! Get creative with taking any of these sweet mini body parts!
Did you find any of these tips helpful? I’d love you to leave a comment about what learned about taking your own newborn photos at home!