How to Photograph Newborn Babies - 7 Top Tips
/Fancy going DIY for your newborn pictures? Follow my tips below on how to choose the perfect location, set up and poses for your new arrival.
Safety
This one has to go first because it's a biggy. No newborn picture is more important than keeping your little one safe.
- Never leave them unattended. For a baby that apparently cannot move, they sure can move! All it takes is one startle or wriggle and he or she can fall and hurt themselves. If possible, have someone with you to help if you have to step away from them for a second.
- Never force them into poses they don't want to go into. Newborn photographers have been trained in keeping your baby safe. Many poses are composites - 1 image made up of 2 or more images to remove supporting hands etc.
- Never leave them in one pose for too long. Keep checking their little hands and feet for good circulation.
- Make sure the room is nice and warm but don't place heaters too close.
- Do not place him or her on any hard surfaces.
- Do not use any glass props, or wood that may splinter.
2. Find the light
First things first - choose the perfect spot to set up.
Natural light is your friend. Turn off all inside lights and find a nice bright spot without any direct sunlight. By patio doors or a large window is perfect.
I’m using a light in this image but there are large patio doors right behind it, which would also work perfectly well.
3. Set up your 'studio'
Most photographers use a large, firm beanbag for posing.
Find a nice large soft and SAFE area to lay your baby. A bed or blankets laid on the floor work perfectly. If you plan on photographing them naked, make sure you protect the surface from accidents with towels or incontinence sheets.
Choose a blanket for your backdrop and drape it over your background. I love lighter colours without patterns to leave all of the focus on the baby, but choose something that reflects your style - a fluffy blanket, a patchwork quilt, a crisp white sheet.
Whatever it is, make sure it isn't creased!
Here's a DIY set up on my bed. I have placed down towels to protect my bed and then gaffer taped a blanket to my frame. Simple but effective!
**i would smooth the blanket out after placing the baby
Here's the image i got from the set up above. my main source of light is my window, which is to the right - simple!
4. Prepare your model
The best time to photograph a newborn is when they are in a deep deep sleep. Generally this is right after a large feed (known to some as a milk coma!)
Keeping the room nice and warm (around 28 degrees) will help to keep them nice and sleepy. Keep some water close by for yourself because you will get hot!
Clothed or Naked? That's completely up to you! I love photographing babies naked but it doesn't come without its hazards. Make sure the surface you are using is protected from accidents.
Pick out some hats, headbands, toys & blankets that you love to make the photos more personal.
5. Get Posing
Right - they're asleep, now what?
It's time to pose! Choose a couple of simple poses. I would suggest firstly laying them on their back and then moving them onto their side. Use the accessories to get a variety of photos.
Only if you and they are comfortable should you attempt to move them onto their tummy.
If at any point they resist, never force them into a pose. Let them guide you and keep to the very simple poses.
Pace yourself. Work at babies speed.
**Remember - Newborn photographers have been trained to safely achieve the poses you see on their websites and on social media. Keep things simple for you and your baby to make sure they stay safe.
6. Get the shot
Get in close and photograph all of the details - tiny toes, wrinkly hands, all of those rolls and the way their hair sticks out behind their ears - all those little things that you want to remember.
Step away and photograph them in all their glory. Show how tiny they look when they are swaddled and how chunky or gangly their limbs are.
Photograph lots of different angles to get lots of variety.
my dad, sister & brother holding me in the hospital right after i'd been born #existinphotos
7. Exist in photos
This one means A LOT to me and it should to you to.
As much as you may not feel like it right now - exist in photos with your children. These are the images that they will treasure when they grow up.
They will not care if you aren't wearing make up or haven't brushed your hair. They will purely see their mum or dad, holding them, feeding them, smiling, playing with them and loving them.
