How to Photograph Your Own Newborn Baby at Home

Postponing newborn sessions in my calendar has been a heartbreaking part of this COVID lock-down malarkey. But there’s no postponing the arrival of those sweet babies themselves and I didn’t want to leave my clients high and dry at such a monumental time in their lives!

So I’ve pulled together my best tips for taking your own newborn photos from the safety of your own lock-down bubble!

Lighting

Light is the difference between a great photo and an average one, every time!

Find a plentiful source of soft, natural light - like a big window (preferably one without too much bright greenery outside).

Bring your baby close to that light source and lie them down 45-90 degrees to the light (more on that angle below).

You want the light to be as even as possible avoiding very bright spots contrasted with dark shadows.

If it’s a super sunny day, and the light is really bright (it will feel very hot on your skin) you will need to soften it with sheer curtains.

If you don’t have sheers you can make them by pinning or clamping the thinnest white sheet you have across the window.

Turn off all overhead lights and make sure the flash on your camera is not firing. Mixing artificial light sources with your natural light will create unflattering shadows and sickly skin tones.

In this image there was a big window off to camera right.

De-clutter

I realise you’ve just had a baby and the last thing you need to be worried about is cleaning the house! But if you’re planning to take some nice photos I’d encourage you to spend a short moment de-cluttering the area you’re working in.

Think particularly about putting away electronics and tucking cords out of sight. Hide tissue boxes, washing, discarded dishes and bottles round the corner for now. If your bedroom has ample even light this is a good spot to use. Throw a nice simple duvet on the bed and plump the pillows.

When in doubt throw a simple white duvet on the bed.

Keep wardrobe simple

There is no need to overcomplicate your photos with outfit changes. I’d encourage you to focus on getting a handful of photos you love, not creating a baby-wear look book of every knitwear item and headband you were gifted.

Parents, throw on something you love and feel great in. I recommend sticking to a colour palette of 2-3 colours for the whole family. Flowing tops or a singlet and soft cardigan combo are flattering options for new mums. Avoid logos and bold graphics on tops as these will date and distract.

Simple palette, no logos or distracting graphics.

I find that many newborn outfits are miles too big and baggy and will swamp your new baby. I recommend a simple onsie in a true newborn or even premmie size to show off their tiny proportions.

If you want to add textures and layers try including a nice muslin wrap or heirloom baby blanket as a layer for baby to lie on or be loosely swaddled in.

Nailing focus & Setting your Camera

If it’s a close up portrait you’re taking, put your focus point over the eye nearest to the camera.

To capture tiny toes focus on a toenail or the line between two toes to get them sharp.

iPhone Settings

Set the Rule of Thirds grid on your camera view by switching “Grid” on in your camera settings. The intersections of these rule of thirds lines are the best places to put the thing you’re focusing on (e.g. the baby’s eye or hand).

Use portrait mode if you have it. Hold your phone still and level. Check out the best way to hold your phone for steady results here. Tap on the screen where you want it to focus (e.g. over the face of the baby).

DSLR in Auto

If you’re shooting on auto you can use exposure compensation settings to adjust the brightness of your image. When it comes time to shoot close ups of baby details (eyelashes, fingers etc) switch to Macro mode.

DSLR in AP mode

Shooting in Aperture Priority is a way to get background blur (“bokeh”) when you’re not yet comfortable shooting in full Manual. Aim to shoot your portraits pretty wide open (between f/2 and f/2.8). If you’re shooting a picture of a parent holding a baby close down a bit to f/3.5 or f/4 to improve your chances of getting both faces in focus.

DSLR in Manual mode

If you’re using your camera on a tripod to shoot a family portrait, get one person to sit in and stay put. Set your camera to f/5.6 or higher and focus on that stand-in’s face. Then switch your camera to manual focus (so it doesn’t loose that focus you set) before activating the timer function. Try to keep everyone’s heads on the same plane as that original stand in.

If you’re comfortable shooting wide open, do so. You’ll bring more attention to the details you’re focused on. Be sure to keep your shutter speed high enough to capture fast moving and often jerky newborn movements. I recommend staying above 1/500s if you can.

Composition, angles & connection

For portraits of your newborn try laying them angled 45-90 degrees from the light source. Their head should be closer to the window and their feet further away.

This means the light comes down their body from the head first.

One side of their body will be more lit and one side will be more in shadow.

If you place their feet nearest to the light you get “horror movie” up-lighting (like when you shine a torch up under your chin).

There’s a golden rule in taking flattering baby pictures: don’t photograph up their nose! Instead of photographing them from below their chin, shoot angled slightly down the body or straight on from above.

Try not to allow your body to get between the baby and the light source, as this will cast shadows. 

Photographing Others Holding the Baby

When photographing your wee one in a parent’s embrace stand the parent next to the window. Turn them slightly towards the light (around 45degrees) then try to photograph from a slightly elevated position. You could stand on a step stool or just go up on your tippy toes. This slight elevation is slimming and flattering.

Siblings that are old enough to hold the baby safely could be sat up on the bed or couch. I like to prop their supporting arm up by putting a pillow under it for added safety.

Once you’re ready to take the shot, hand the baby to them with the baby faced towards the light.

If you’re shooting in manual or aperture priority mode set your aperture to at least f/3.5 to get both kids in focus.

For littler siblings, toddlers and less able kids try a lying down shot. Lay the big brother or sister on their back with their head 45 degrees to the light source. Get them still and patient before placing baby down next to them – let them cuddle gently. Or try asking them to show you where their baby’s nose is (and then give it a kiss). Always keep someone nearby to intervene if that interaction starts to get too enthusiastic! Shoot this shot from directly above provided you are steady and safe enough to do so (and always make sure your camera is secured around your neck!).

If you want a full family shot you can use the timer function on your camera or phone. Get everyone to sit together in a tight, snuggly huddle on the bed. Try to keep everyone’s heads on the same level plane. Set your aperture to at least f/4 if you’re in manual mode.

Posing

Don’t for a second be tempted to recreate those cute but complicated poses you’ve seen online. Professional “posed” newborn photographers have had training in how to do this safely and many of the more elaborate set ups are actually composited images created in Photoshop with safety guides and hands edited out. Attempting those poses without the proper training and understanding is downright dangerous. Don’t do it!

Instead, keep it simple. Photograph your wee one in a parent’s safe embrace, or simply lying au natural on a bed.

Mums - make sure you hand the camera to your partner and get in the shot to snuggle that baby too! I know you’re tired. I know you feel puffy and stressed and anxious (especially in this new lock-down world), but those feelings will eventually pass and you will look back on these pictures and be so happy you made the effort.

This one does infringe the aforementioned “not up the nose” rule, but I was focusing more on the teeny feet and nappy toosh so I was happy to bend that rule.

Your photo doesn’t have to include your baby’s face to tell a story about them.

Don’t forget the details

Capture your baby full length, then photograph their face, finally remember to get all those delicious newborn details. This includes eyelashes, hands and tiny toes. One shot I love to take is a picture of baby lying in a parent’s outstretched hands shot from the “head end”. I love how this shot highlights hair swirls as well as showing just how they small they are in proportion to mum or dad.

So that’s it. 7 tips for photographing your own newborn! Please share this post with your pregnant friends and the new parents you know.

Read more on this topic in the Click Magazine article I contributed to here