DIY NEWBORN PORTRAITS
How to photograph your newborn at home
Hello ASP family!
I know this is such weird times we’re living in right now. Since hiring a professional newborn photographer isn’t an option at the moment, I am going to give you all the tips to do your own newborn photo shoot.
Here is a guide to help you photograph your sweet new baby without leaving home. This will cover safety, lighting, posing, and editing.
Safety is #1
Baby’s safety is always the most important thing! Here are some tips to make sure you your baby is safe during this session.
DO NOT EVER LEAVE BABY UNATTENDED! Baby should be held or have a spotter at arms length at all times. Newborns can be much stronger than people give them credit for. They can roll and move so quickly.
Do not use a prop that could be potentially dangerous such as glass bowl. YIKES!
Don’t attempt experienced poses. Newborn photographers spend years protecting and learning the correct way to pose babies. It may look easy, but they are not! Also, some of these elaborate poses, such as the froggy pose are actually composites and there is always a hand on the baby. Instead, stick to more natural type poses like the ones below.
When shooting from above baby, use a camera strap. This will insure you do not drop your camera on baby.
Backgrounds
I tend to always stick with neutral tone. White is obviously my favorite! Haha
You can also use ivory, grey, and tans.
You will want to gather a neutral blanket and something to swaddle the baby in. I like to use the same colors for both of these.
TIP! Remove any clutter that will be in the shot. This can really make a huge difference!
Lighting
A large window is going to be your best friend. If your couch is a light neutral tone, get it as close to a large window as possible. If the couch is a darker color, just cover it with some fabric to use as your background.
Make sure to turn off all other lighting. If you have any overhead lighting on, this will change the temperature and color of baby.
White walls will be the best. This will help reflect the natural light and also prevent color cast on baby.
Diffuse your light using sheer curtains to create soft lighting and prevent harsh shadows.
You might need to spend a day watching the lighting from the room you plan to do the photo shoot. Find a good time of day when the light comes through, but there aren’t any harsh shadows and sun spots in the room.
Where to place baby
Ideally, you want the baby to the side of the light at about a 90 degree angle. The light should fall down the baby’s face from the forehead. Try to not get the light up the baby’s nose.
You also want the baby to be at least the height of the window. If baby is lower than the light, it will essentially put more shadow on the baby.
Backlighting Example
Timing
You want to make sure baby is content and sleepy for your session. Make sure baby has a clean diaper and has a full belly.
I always suggest to my newborn clients to give baby a bath an hour or two before the session also. This will give them some awake time and get their hair nice and fluffy.
Make sure the room is warm for baby. If it’s too cold, baby will likely be unhappy and fuss.
Simple mom pose
Posing
Simple, natural posing is the best! Please do not attempt experienced posing. You will want to capture the baby just are they are. Let them fall into a pose and snap it.
Swaddle the baby in a super simple swaddle. This will make baby feel more comfortable and relaxed. Just make sure its a neutral color with no patterns. Another good idea is a simple white onesie. Every mom has one and it’s simple and classic.
You can also grab some shots of their little features, like their eyelashes, hands, and tiny toes. These are always moms favorites!
Another good photo to capture is what we (photographers) like to call a backlit image. These are my personal favorite! All it is, is an image taken from the dark side (shadow side) of baby.
Get multiple angles - take a close up, a portrait, and a landscape photo. You can decide later which one you prefer.
Make sure to not shoot up the babies nose. Always photograph from above baby, not below. The shot up the use is not flattering!
You can always get in on the photos too mom! Grab dad and tell him to snap a few. Trust me, you NEED to do this!
Posing Ideas:
Mama & Baby, Dad & Baby, Mom & Dad holding baby, Siblings with baby, Baby alone, Detail shots of baby’s hand, feet, face, etc.
You can also do some lifestyle shots of baby sleeping in the crib, mom feeding baby in a chair, siblings on the bed or couch with baby, bathing baby. Basically anything you do with the baby. These will be the ones you will cherish forever!
Sample sibling pose
Editing
This is an entire other world! But you can definitely edit straight from your iPhone! I actually do this with all my vacation photos.
I like to use Lightroom Mobile for my phone photos, or Lightroom Classic for all my big girl camera photos.
Just remember, if you are using your iPhone, Don’t print the images too large. The resolution will not be great. These will look great printed up to an 8x10 though!
I hope these tips help you and you have a fun session with your new baby!
If you are wanting to book a session for an older baby or milestone session when everything is back to normal, I would be so honored!
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A SESSION:
Amber Star Photographer is a professional Houston Newborn, Baby, and Infant Photographer.
Make sure to book your Newborn Session with me today and get your spot on my calendar! Sessions fill quickly and I can’t guarantee a date if booking last minute.
I always suggest expectant moms to book in their third trimeter. All newborn sessions are tentatively booked. We can always move your session date if we need to.
Amber Star Photography is a professional Houston NEWBORN, CAKE SMASH, MATERNITY, AND CHILD Photographer.
Amber specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, cake smash, and family photography.
Serving the Houston and surrounding areas, including Spring, The Woodlands, Conroe, Cypress, Tomball, Kingwood, Pearland, Richmond, Montgomery, Sugar Land, Katy and Atascocita.
Please visit the website for more information on photography; www.AmberStarPhotography.com